Strikeforce held a press conference and fan meet and greet session yesterday (July 14) in the heart of New York City starring female fighting sensation Gina Carano (7-0) side-by-side with former Elite XC fighter Cristiane Santos (7-1) to promote their upcoming Strikeforce title fight on August 15.
“Conviction” and “Cyborg” will collide at Strikeforce: ‘Carano vs. Cyborg’ on Saturday, August 15, from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, in a five round tilt for the Strikeforce women’s championship.
The female American Gladiator has been on the sidelines ever since her thrashing of Kelly Kobald at ‘Heat’ back in October 2008. A victory over the dangerous Santos would undoubtedly cement her status as one of the world’s top female fighters.
But Carano recognizes the challenge that lies ahead:
“I have the ultimate, utmost respect for Cyborg. This is the toughest fight of my life. [She] is very strong. That is why I have reached out to Randy Couture to support me. Randy is training me to get ready for the toughest fight of my career. He is my head trainer and he will be in my corner. I want to thank Strikeforce and Showtime. It took a lot of balls to put [on a main event between two women] .”
“Cyborg,” the wife of former Pride FC fighter Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, burst onto the scene in May of 2008 with a dominating performance against Shayna Baszler in her debut under the Elite XC banner. Like her husband, she’s a product of the Brazilian Chute Boxe Academy, a style that’s evident as soon as she steps foot in the cage.
Her most recent fight was on the Strikeforce: ‘Shamrock vs. Diaz’ card last April when she received heavy criticism for missing weight for her fight against Japanese import Hitomi Akano. Santos brutalized “Girlfight Monster” for two rounds before stopping her with strikes in the final frame.
Like Carano, Santos isn’t taking this title fight lightly:
“I think the one who makes the fewer mistakes will win this fight. I am expecting a war. I have been training a lot since my last fight. I am ready and very excited. This is a great opportunity and this will be a very good fight for the fans.”
Both combatants left the press conference looking confident and ready to fight. They took the time to sign autographs and pose for pictures before and after their public workout in front of the entrance to Madison Square Garden.
How much attention yesterday’s MMA event brought to “The city that never fights” remains to be seen. While it certainly garnered it’s share of onlookers, most of the slack-jawed public reacted with “Oh, that’s the UFC stuff.”
Draw your own conclusions.
Check out more pics from the Strikeforce: “Carano vs. Cyborg” press conference below.
Gina Caran “Oh!”
‘Hot’borg (Yeah I said it)
The Strikeforce Women’s Championship. Up for grabs!
Cyborg ready to strut her stuff.
MMA’s new power couple?
For more on Strikeforce: “Carano vs. Cyborg” click here.
