Women’s MMA Starts with a Bang in 2010

Mark your calendars for Saturday Jan. 30 for one of the most action packed women’s MMA weekends in recent years.

Cyborg Santos will be making her first title defense against #1 contender Marloes Coenen on “Strikeforce: Miami”, which will be broadcast on Showtime. It will be a classic battle between the striker in Cyborg and the grappler in Coenen. In a recent interview on the Strikeforce website, Cyborg said she is ready for the fight, saying she doesn’t mind if it does go to the ground. She was third at the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championships this past summer, something that Coenen did back in 2007. Cyborg, however, has yet to be really tested on the ground in the cage. It will be a great test for her.

Coenen will also be tested verses a very strong stand-up fighter. The last time Coenen faced a quality striker was a knockout loss to #3 ranked Erin Toughill in 2007. Three years is a long time, so we may see a more experienced Coenen overcome.

Speaking of the #3 ranked Toughill, she will be fighting the same night to a yet to be named opponent for the Freestyle Cage Fighting promotion in Tulsa, OK. Rumor has it that Toughill will be facing the winner of the Cyborg vs. Coenen for the Strikeforce women’s 145 pound title in March or April.

The Freestyle Cage Fighting card on Jan. 30 will also feature a 135 pound women’s tournament featuring ranked fighters. Six women have been confirmed to be involved in the 135 Women’s Grand Prix, including #4 ranked Shayna Baszler, #7 ranked Jennifer Tate, Kaitlin Young, Jan Finney, Sarah Schneider, and Liz Carreiro. The tournament is destined to shake up the 135 pound division.

We will have more on the 135 Women’s Grand Prix tournament, plus Erin Toughill’s opponent announcement, and more Cyborg Santos vs. Marloes Coenen coverage next week.

Women’s MMA Starts with a Bang in 2010
By: MarQ Piocos, News Editor
Fightergirls.com

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