The State of Women’s MMA
The State of Women’s MMA
In 2013 when the UFC had its first female fight, I was left feeling mostly underwhelmed. I wasn’t against the idea of women’s MMA, it just seemed like a pointless addition to literally have only a handful of fighters in the division. I also felt that Women’s MMA wasn’t at a skill level that equalled that of the men’s. And I was correct with that assumption for quite some time.
Ronda Rousey held that title for almost 3 years, dominating her competition. It became apparent that no one in the division was near her grappling skill. Women’s MMA was beginning to look like a one woman show and the overall competition was playing catch up. Because of that some people questioned how good Rousey really was, or if her competition just wasn’t good. Then Holly Holm came along and absolutely turned the world of Women’s MMA on its head.
After Holm banished Rousey to the shadow realm, she lost the title to Rousey’s rival Miesha Tate who then got dismantled by Amanda Nunes. So the women’s Bantamweight division now has a pool of fighters, each capable of taking the title.
Current Champion Amanda Nunes has stated she wants to wait until the UFC event in New York to fight Ronda Rousey when she returns to the Octagon. Holly Holm has lost two fights since her iconic head kick knockout of Ronda Rousey. She is in a slump but I don’t see her staying down for long. Miesha Tate is recovering, I want to see her fight Cat Zingano on her return fight. And now we have the introduction of Valentina Shevchenko who catapulted her name into the mix by out striking and out classing Holly Holm in her last fight. The Women’s Bantamweight division is starting to look like the men’s Welterweight division.
On top of this the UFC has added a Women’s Strawweight division where Joanna Jedrzejczyk rules with almost quite literally an iron fist. Her next fight will be against Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and they already have a history together with Kowalkiewicz beating the UFC champion in past kickboxing competitions. Their bout should be a display of high level striking and one that fight fans can not afford to miss. In the division you also have Claudia Gadelha, fan favorite Rose Namajunas and the young and ever improving Paige Vanzant.
The UFC quickly built up their roster of female fighters and built them into legitimate divisions. Women’s MMA as a whole had made leaps and bounds in skill level with female fighters improving and creating high levels of parity and competition. I’m seriously impressed at how quickly the women’s divisions have grown and how much fun the fights have been. The future of Women’s MMA is looking fantastic.
https://www.myfantasysportstalk.com/the-state-of-womens-mma/https://i2.wp.com/www.myfantasysportstalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/545613094.jpg?fit=594%2C455&ssl=1https://i2.wp.com/www.myfantasysportstalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/545613094.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1AnalysisCombat SportsMMARecent PostsAmanda nunes,Holly Holm,Joanna Jędrzejczyk,Meisha Tate,ronda rousey,UFC,ufc womens divisions,Women's Bantamweight Champion,Women's MMA,Women's Strawweight ChampionThe State of Women's MMA In 2013 when the UFC had its first female fight, I was left feeling mostly underwhelmed. I wasn't against the idea of women's MMA, it just seemed like a pointless addition to literally have only a handful of fighters in the division. I also...Michael GomezMichael Gomezmichaelgom3@gmail.comEditorMichael Gomez grew up on a healthy diet of sports and video games and has continued to enjoy both throughout his life. A student of California State University Channel Islands, Michael is majoring in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis. Naturally the combined interests in writing and sports lead to his involvement in sports media. When he's not meticulously following the NBA season, he's working on his fiction story, playing video games or enjoying a bite to eat. Follow him on twitter @MichaelGom3MyFantasySportsTalk
I agree that the women’s division is greatly improving, but the problem is there are too many female fighters that cry when they don’t get a title shot. If cyborg wants to fight rousey, then that’s neither nor there. Cyborg is throwing a bitch fit because she’s not getting her way and talking a bunch of who shot john. Amanda nunes has only been champ for 2 months and already she is calling out rousey to fight her, as the old saying goes be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Meisha tate is complaining because she’s not able to get under rousey’s skin and holly holm has lost back 2 back fights. I would not be suprised if nunes lost the title in her first defense. The way it’s looking any woman can win the title on any given day. I hope rousey comes back real soon, it’s time for the rousey era to begin again. I can see rousey dominating again. Ronda rousey put women’s fighting on the map and should be praised for her accomplishments not trolled for a loss.