Female boxer Chevelle Hallback moves to MMA

I am a bit excited, and a bit confused about MMA.

Chevelle Hallback, a popular female boxer who’s fought on nationally televised events while racking up a 27-5-2 professional record, will make her pro mixed-martial-arts debut during a Dec. 5 Xtreme Fighting Championships event in Florida.

You can read more on MMAjunkie.com

I have to say – I am a little bit confused. Does this mean MMA’s not going backrupt?

Just the other day, MMA Ultimate Fighting Forumz comes on my blog and comments,

“Hello Everyone! If you are looking for information on Mixed Martial Arts events and community, http://www.ultimatefightingforumz.com is for you!”

Then, I see on Pretty Tough that Carano is being auctioned to the highest bidder?

According to Jane,

“Carano and Cris Cyborg, who are the two highest-profile women in MMA, are caught in the middle of this mess.  They can’t look for fights elsewhere and there maybe potential legal battles when their contracts are bought by promotions they have no interest in fighting for.”

This is nutts! What is going on over there?

Special thanks to M. Lucus for the link in her comment about Hallback. (By the way, M. Lucus’ blog is hilarious – you should check it out).

Gina Carano and Women’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Gina Carano, an undefeated Xtreme Couture fighter (6-0), is starting to become known as the “face” of women’s mixed martial arts (MMA).

However, according to MMAjunkie.com, this is not exactly the type of label she wishes to hold.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, MMA is a full contact combat sport that employs various fighting techniques which combine martial arts traditions with non-traditions in competitions. From my understanding, you’re allowed to strike and grapple in this sport (aka – beat the crap out of each other).

Women’s MMA is gaining popularity in the martial arts arena. In particular, Gina Carano, EliteXC poster-girl, is generating attention. Right now, she’s gearing up to fight Kelly Kobald (16-2-1) on October 4.

However, as I mentioned earlier, “the face of MMA” is not exactly the type of title she’d like to hold.

Here’s what she told reporters:

“I am a recognized female in the sport, but I don’t think that I am the face of women’s MMA,” Carano said. “It’s just a label. I’m Gina Carano. You can label me that.”

However, she’s excited the sport is gaining attention.

“It’s been unbelievable to be at the forefront of women’s MMA,” Carano admitted. “Raising the recognition of the sport has been a blessing. The fan support has been amazing. I’m standing up here because of the fans.”

Her upcoming bout with Kobald will certainly be exciting, and the anticipation is generating some buzz in the MMA community, as Kobald, after debuting in 2002, went undefeated through her first 17 bouts.

“I’ve got one of the toughest fights of my life coming up,” Carano said. “I’m coming ready to fight. I’m going to give it my all.”

My favorite quote from Carano is her explanation as to why she likes to compete.

“Everyone has their own niche in life,” Carano said. “I just seem to gravitate towards physical violence.”

Suspensions Handed Out for WNBA Fight

The wrath has been disclosed in response to Tuesday night’s mayhem fight in the WBNA.

Detroit Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn as well as 10 players were suspended for contributing to the fight that made headlines across the world. In total, four were ejected from the game on Tuesday night, and now eleven people received suspensions.

Here’s a quick recap of what happened (from ESPN): [Candace] Parker and [Plenette] Pierson got tangled up and fell to the court. Deanna Nolan tackled Parker and Mahorn appeared to push [Lisa] Leslie to the court. [Delisha] Milton-Jones responded by punching Mahorn in the back.

(The last part is my favorite!!!)

Plenette Pierson of the Shock was suspended for four games, the harshest penalty, for initiating and escalating the fight. Mahorn was suspended for two games, as were Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page of the Sparks. Sparks’ Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones, meanwhile, were banned one game each.

According to ESPN, here’s what the WNBA has to say about it:

“The WNBA and its players represent all that is good about sports: passion, hard work and sacrifice,” WNBA president Donna Orender said in a statement released by the league. “On a nightly basis our players display extraordinary skill, athleticism and competitive fire. The events Tuesday, however, were inexcusable and in no way indicative of what the league stands for. We hold our players to a very high standard and these suspensions should serve notice that the behavior exhibited at the end of Tuesday’s game will not be tolerated.”

Though I would never approve of the behavior exhibited the other night, I have to say, ladies – you did a great job of showing the world that you have aggression, a value that is coveted in the highly-popularized sports of our male counterparts.

Mahorn did an excellent job of making himself look like an asshole.

The disciplinary action is well-deserved for all.