Alexis Davis is just that, a bantamweight phenom. The Strikeforce fighter is undefeated with the promotion and she has been making impressive showings in the cage for awhile now. She defeated Julie Kedzie and Amanda Nunes in 2011 and in March she will be facing Sarah Kaufman Strikeforces former Bantamweight Champ. The winner will take be the number one contender and will fight the winner of Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey. The Women's 135lbs division is like the Men's light Heavyweight division as in it is very deep and very talented and the belt switches hands often.
Davis is a very good all around fighter that is very strong and low key. She has been flying under the radar for awhile now and thankfully she got the attention of Strikeforce. She hasn't disapointed with two strong performances that have her now facing Sarah Kaufman again. The two fought back in 2007. It was Davis' first pro fight and she lost by TKO. She has grown as a fighter since and it will be interesting to see how a more experienced Alexis Davis will fair against Kaufman's great striking ability. Best of Luck Alexis!!
I will admit firstly that I am not an athlete and I'm not 100% educated on the specifics and biology of making weight for a competition or preformance enhancing drugs. I am simply giving an opinion on how this news will impact Cyborg's reputation, and Female MMA.
A lot of people weren't shocked by Former Strikeforce Champ, Cris Santos testing positive for anabolic steroids and I must admit I wasn't either. I was always hoping I was wrong and I feel bad for her whether her ingesting the steroids was on purpose or on accident (as she states) because this will follow her around for the rest of her career.
Here is Cyborgs statement:
"I would like to sincerely apologize to StrikeForce, the Zuffa organization, Hiroko Yamanaka and my fans for my failed drug test. I am ultimately responsible for everything I put in my body, and at the end of the day, there is no excuse for having a prohibited substance in my system. I do not condone the use of any perform...ance enhancing drugs by myself or any other professional athlete, and willingly accept the penalties and fines that have been handed down to me by the California State Athletic Commission and those of the StrikeForce/Zuffa organization. While I was preparing myself for my last fight I was having a difficult time cutting weight and used a dietary supplement that I was assured was safe and not prohibited from use in sports competition. It was never my intention to obtain an unfair advantage over Hiroko, mislead StrikeForce, the Commission or my fans. I train harder than any fighter in MMA and do not need drugs to win in the cage, and I have proven this time and time again! My only mistake is not verifying the diet aid with my doctor beforehand, and understanding that it was not approved for use in the ring. Unfortunately in the end I suffer the consequences and must accept the responsibility for my actions. I will do everything I can to show my fans that I can still compete at the professional level without the use of any prohibited substances, and ask God's forgiveness for my mistake". Cris Santos - Curitiba, Brazil January 7th, 2012
Now she has been labeled a cheater with a black mark on her record and when people see her they may not remember the great things she has done for the sport in and out of the cage, they will only think "Cheater". FMMA won't suffer any long term affects from this happening however with Strikeforce and the media shoving Ronda Rousey in our faces, Cyborg may be long left behind by the time her one year supension is over and she gets back in the cage.
So now, Strikeforce has a belt open and this contoversy may have been well timed considering, Dana White has discussed getting rid of the 145 division in Strikeforce. This will make it more easy with a vacant belt that they may or may not give out again. Maybe Strikeforce should consider starting a 125lbs weight class. As with 135lbs. the 125lbs weight class is very deep and filled with talent. So, Cyborgs mistake could bring on positive effects for Female MMA. Like I always say, It's MMA you never know!
I have great respect for anyone who fights in the cage (yes, even Rousey) I have even more respect for those that do it cleanly through pure hard work determination. Cyborg will be back and whatever her motivation for taking the steroids she has learned a lesson and she will be back someday. Hopefully other fighters have learned from Cyborg's mistake as well and this is the last time we hear of any fighter testing positive. (here's hoping anyway)
It's been a couple days since this actually aired, but if you don't have HDnet like myself you may have missed it. Strikeforce Boss, Scott Coker called into Inside MMA to discuss the stripping of Cris "Cyborg" Santos' 145lb belt after she tested positive for anabolic steroids.
Picture made by Sam Wilson featuring Old Timey Bad Asses, Current Bad Ass, Sara McMann
and Future Bad A$$, Coutney Cardoza.
Editorial By Lacey Neher
Yesterday I recieved a notifaction via email that the facebook closed group I created awhile back "WMMA Advocates", was being shut down because it violated someones rights. Speculation went around that it was a certain member that was given the old heave-ho out of the group, but now it has surfaced that a group out of New Jersey has started an organization catering to Women's mixed martial arts and the Acronym WMMA is owned by them. (Worldwide Mixed Martial Arts)
(It kinda reminds me of the day when the World Wildlife Fund told WWF (the pro wrestling org) that they couldn't use WWF anymore subsequently becoming the WWE.)
I spent my afternoon yesterday starting a new club for Women's MMA insiders and made it a secret society on Facebook. I also changed WMMA to FMMA (Female Mixed Martial Arts). Like my fellow MMA journalist put it, Is "WMMA" is under attack? (the term at least) But, it feels like much more. Those of us that are working their tails off to get FMMA the respect and publicity it so much deserves, and mostly with little to no monetary means, feel violated that these people have tried to steal our identity from us. It would be like if a company named United Sorters Association trademarked USA and anything with those three letters that is used to stand for United States of America would have to be taken down due to copyright violations.
Like I've always thought and others have as well, It's MMA. They don't call the men fighting MMMA. But in this world, any sport that women do getting the W in front of it for people to decipher the difference is a mainstay, unfortunetly.
Legally for now WMMA has been copyrighted by the New Jersey people, It may be contested so, whether it will stick or not is another thing. I officially will be calling Women's MMA "FMMA" for short from now on. My videos, articles and comments will in reference to Women who bust their ass everyday to put it all on the line in the cage will now be FMMA. What you call it is up to you, just watch out for the Acronym Nazi's who are out to ruin your day, not to mention your Facebook page.
