Strikeforce - Carano mauled by Cyborg

Strikeforce held their first pay per view post-Fedor signing on the weekend, so it was a bit of a coming out party for them – an opportunity to really make some noise and win over some MMA fans.

But as I predicted the other day, they ended up killing one of their golden geese.

Cris Cyborg Santos pretty much humiliated Gina Carano. It was really a mismatch, as Cyborg is naturally the bigger gal (and is far more talented). Still, one would have hoped Carano would have made it close, and I’m positive the Strikeforce powers that be were praying she’d pull out the win.

Instead, Santos dominated from the opening seconds, while Carano backpedalled to the fence and covered up as much as possible to avoid the Cyborg barrage. Santos landed heavy shots, took Carano down at will and threatened to submit “the face of women’s MMA” at numerous times with heel hooks and rear naked chokes. Carano offered little in return other than a few haymakers, none of which landed effectively. Cyborg even managed to push Carano down with a face wash!

The end came in somewhat controversial fashion as the ref stopped the fight with about a second to go in the first round. Carano was clearly overwhelmed and beaten, but had the ref known the round was nearly over, he would have done better to let the fan favourite recover between rounds and face her fate in a more clean-cut fashion. Instead, Cyborg’s victory lap was met with confusion from fans who thought their heroine might have been saved by the bell. Boos rained down on the ring from fans who thought it was an early stoppage.

Maybe, but at any other second it would have been completely justified. Carano was defeated.

So what’s next for women’s MMA? Do people really want to pay to see Cyborg defend against nobodies? Or will Strikeforce look to build up the next comely gal who has any level of skill as the next big thing to challenge the evil Santos? I don’t see it happening. There’s a reason the UFC has stayed away from the ladies division: the level of competition simply isn’t there. Cyborg looked good, but even her style is ugly.

Strikeforce will be putting all of its eggs in the Fedor basket now. If he loses…watch out.