The future of women's MMA
The only relevant female mixed martial arts fighter that’s currently active, Cris “Cyborg” Santos, fights this weekend. Did you know that? I did, only because it’s my job to know. If I was a casual fan though, I wouldn’t have noticed. I would’ve seen all the news about Herschel Walker and I would’ve realized Nick Diaz and Bobby Lashley are also on the card, but Cyborg? It would’ve been a coin flip at best.
Obviously, they can’t promote her fight as heavily as they did when she was facing Gina Carano. At the same time, Strikeforce is the biggest promotion showcasing women’s MMA. And while it’s not there yet, a decision on the future of women's MMA is likely coming soon. Is women’s MMA going to be the next women’s tennis or the next WNBA?
People care about women’s tennis, and sometimes not just because the competitors are hot, while the WNBA plods along in oblivion. Now, without its biggest star, what’s going to happen to women's MMA?
I’m still on the fence, I don’t know if women’s MMA can be as entertaining as the real version. But, maybe there is a future beyond Carano. Perhaps it can go the route of the LPGA. There could be mild interest and basic recognition of extraordinary talent (Annika Sorenstam) and the occasional intriguing freak show (Michelle Wie).
In fact, that may be the best hope for women’s MMA. Not quite women’s tennis, but not as awful as the WNBA either.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
Well I have to tell you that being an expert in Women's MMA, you might want to do some more research...There are now 3 divisions in women's that are watch from all over the world and with Strikeforce having belts for two of them, I believe that women's mma will be the new mainstream and will be here for a long time...do some research...check out Sarah Kaufman, Roxanne Modafferi, believe me Cris Santos is not the only female fighter fighting on the 30th, as we in the Womens MMA world we have dubbed Saturday as "Super Saturday" do a bing.com search you will see...
SportsGeeks
Posted by: SportsGeeks | January 29, 2010 3:39 PM
Your statement, " I don’t know if women’s MMA can be as entertaining as the real version," was disturbing and shocking. The REAL version? Are you implying that women's dreams, aspirations and work is somehow fake while anything men do is REAL? When we hear caveman comments like that how can women argue for equal time or equal respect? Seems we should just go and let you drag us around by our hair. There are many talented women in MMA who frequently win fight of the night when on cards with pro male fighters. Women bring it when they fight. Lots of guys don't know this because they don't even see women's place in the sport as REAL enough for them to even watch. If given an equal chance at the spotlight and opportunity, I predict women's MMA will be on par with women's ice skating vs. men's ice skating or women's gymnastic vs. men's gymnatics.
Posted by: Heartsafire | January 29, 2010 8:28 PM
I agree that it is really discriminatory to say that womens MMA is nort real, i would like to see you step in the ring with any of these talented women , i bet you wouldent come out very pretty. Bro show some inteligence / Respect or dont even comment on MMA period.
Posted by: selim Sandoval | February 13, 2010 9:40 PM
All I can is say just wait for the next three months. It took a while for Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker to figure things out. Right now the savior of the women will be the 135 pound division where they have peanty of great talent, and looks to market the hell out of it.
Sarah Kaufman, Zoila Frausto, and Miesha Tate just to name a few of the names that are soon to grace the media.
And Gina is still the face, and will be back in the game. And don't discount another "American Gladiators" veteran Eright Toughill, who is next in line for Cyborg's title. Rumor has it Toiughill will be in the CBS card in April.
Posted by: MarQ | February 20, 2010 4:08 AM
i've watched quite few women's MMa fights and found them to be quite good. some have even been better than some of the men's fights. i think they should be gevern more exposure.
Posted by: mondo | June 30, 2010 9:45 AM