Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg
Encyclopedia
Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg was a mixed martial arts
event held by Strikeforce
. It was held in San Jose, California on August 15, 2009. The event aired live on the Showtime cable network and marked the first time two women headlined a major MMA event.
taking on Cristiane Santos
for the inaugural Strikeforce Women's Championship contested at 145 pounds (65.8 kg).
Five five minute rounds are now featured for the women's championship bout.
Joe Riggs
pulled out of his bout with Nick Diaz
on July 23, 2009 due to suffering an adverse reaction to a drug. Diaz was then slated to face Jay Hieron
for the Welterweight Championship belt. However, Diaz missed a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission and was denied a license to compete. Diaz was replaced with former Ultimate Fighter contestant Jesse Taylor
and the fight became a non-title bout.
Renato Sobral
was set to face off against Gegard Mousasi
at Affliction: Trilogy
on August 1, 2009, but the match was scrapped following the cancellation of the event. The fight was instead moved to this event, and changed to a title fight for Strikeforce's Light-Heavyweight Championship belt, which was already held by Sobral.
Josh Thomson
, who was set to unify his lightweight championship with interim champion Gilbert Melendez
, was unable to do so because of an injury. Mitsuhiro Ishida
replaced him and the bout was changed to an interim title bout for Melendez' belt.
A previously announced bout featuring Erin Toughill
was called off. She became the reserve fighter in case either Gina or Cris were unable to fight.
The event drew an average of 576,000 viewers on Showtime.
. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses.
and Tank Abbot, which averaged 522,000 viewers. It also more than doubled Strikeforce's previous offering, Lawler vs. Shields, an event that averaged 275,000 viewers.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
event held by Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
. It was held in San Jose, California on August 15, 2009. The event aired live on the Showtime cable network and marked the first time two women headlined a major MMA event.
Background
The main event featured Gina CaranoGina Carano
Gina Joy Carano is an American model, actress, and mixed martial arts fighter. Carano appeared as the Gladiator "Crush" on American Gladiators...
taking on Cristiane Santos
Cristiane Santos
Cristiane Justino Venancio Santos is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and the Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Champion . Santos won the title on August 15, 2009 by defeating Gina Carano via TKO...
for the inaugural Strikeforce Women's Championship contested at 145 pounds (65.8 kg).
Five five minute rounds are now featured for the women's championship bout.
Joe Riggs
Joe Riggs
Joseph Jonathan Riggs is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He has competed at weights ranging from Heavyweight down to Welterweight. Currently, Riggs fights as a Middleweight.-Background:...
pulled out of his bout with Nick Diaz
Nick Díaz
Nicholas Robert Diaz is an American mixed martial artist. He is the former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, WEC and IFC Welterweight Champion. He has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championships and Elite Xtreme Combat. Diaz was promoted to black belt in Brazilian...
on July 23, 2009 due to suffering an adverse reaction to a drug. Diaz was then slated to face Jay Hieron
Jay Hieron
James Thomas Hieronymus , better known as Jay Hieron, is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He is known for his wrestling base and heavy hands....
for the Welterweight Championship belt. However, Diaz missed a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission and was denied a license to compete. Diaz was replaced with former Ultimate Fighter contestant Jesse Taylor
Jesse Taylor
Jesse Marcus Taylor is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred...
and the fight became a non-title bout.
Renato Sobral
Renato Sobral
Renato da Cunha Sobral , also known as "Babalu", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. He is regarded as one of the best light heavyweights of the night, and noted for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. Sobral...
was set to face off against Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi, born Geghard Movsesian is an Armenian-Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is fighting out of Team Jurojin in Leiden, Netherlands and is a member of Russian Red Devil Sport Club and Netherlands' Golden Glory...
at Affliction: Trilogy
Affliction: Trilogy
Affliction: Trilogy was a mixed martial arts event scheduled to be promoted by Affliction Entertainment on August 1, 2009 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California....
on August 1, 2009, but the match was scrapped following the cancellation of the event. The fight was instead moved to this event, and changed to a title fight for Strikeforce's Light-Heavyweight Championship belt, which was already held by Sobral.
Josh Thomson
Josh Thomson
Joshua Joseph Thomson is an American mixed martial arts fighter training with American Kickboxing Academy. He has fought in Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships and America's UFC, as well as Strikeforce and the World Fighting Alliance. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion...
, who was set to unify his lightweight championship with interim champion Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist of Mexican descent. Currently fighting out of San Francisco, California, he formerly competed in the lightweight division of PRIDE Fighting Championships and now competes in Strikeforce...
, was unable to do so because of an injury. Mitsuhiro Ishida
Mitsuhiro Ishida
Mitsuhiro Ishida is a Japanese mixed martial artist who has competed in Shooto, Strikeforce and Pride. He currently competes in Dream and is known for his wrestling ability and endurance.- Mixed martial arts career :...
replaced him and the bout was changed to an interim title bout for Melendez' belt.
A previously announced bout featuring Erin Toughill
Erin Toughill
Erin Young Toughill is a mixed martial artist and former boxer.She began kickboxing at the age of 18 and started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu soon after....
was called off. She became the reserve fighter in case either Gina or Cris were unable to fight.
The event drew an average of 576,000 viewers on Showtime.
Main card
- Women's Featherweight Championship (145 lb) bout:
Gina CaranoGina CaranoGina Joy Carano is an American model, actress, and mixed martial arts fighter. Carano appeared as the Gladiator "Crush" on American Gladiators...
vs.
Cristiane SantosCristiane SantosCristiane Justino Venancio Santos is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and the Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Champion . Santos won the title on August 15, 2009 by defeating Gina Carano via TKO...
- Santos defeated Carano by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of round 1 to become the first Strikeforce Women's 145 lb. Champion
- Light Heavyweight Championship bout: Renato SobralRenato SobralRenato da Cunha Sobral , also known as "Babalu", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. He is regarded as one of the best light heavyweights of the night, and noted for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. Sobral...
(c) vs.
Gegard MousasiGegard MousasiGegard Mousasi, born Geghard Movsesian is an Armenian-Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is fighting out of Team Jurojin in Leiden, Netherlands and is a member of Russian Red Devil Sport Club and Netherlands' Golden Glory...
- Light Heavyweight Championship bout:
- Mousasi defeated Sobral by KO (punches) at 1:00 of round 1 to become the new Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
- Interim Lightweight Championship bout: Gilbert MelendezGilbert MelendezGilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist of Mexican descent. Currently fighting out of San Francisco, California, he formerly competed in the lightweight division of PRIDE Fighting Championships and now competes in Strikeforce...
(ic) vs.
Mitsuhiro IshidaMitsuhiro IshidaMitsuhiro Ishida is a Japanese mixed martial artist who has competed in Shooto, Strikeforce and Pride. He currently competes in Dream and is known for his wrestling ability and endurance.- Mixed martial arts career :...
- Interim Lightweight Championship bout:
- Melendez defeated Ishida by TKO (punches) at 3:56 of round 3 to remain Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Champion
- Heavyweight bout: Mike KyleMike KyleMike Kyle is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a light heavyweight and heavyweight. He fights primarily for Strikeforce and King of the Cage. He is the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight champion...
vs. Fabricio WerdumFabricio WerdumFabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
- Heavyweight bout:
- Werdum defeated Kyle by submission (guillotine chokeGuillotine chokeThe guillotine choke is a chokehold in martial arts and wrestling applied from in front of the opponent. The choke involves using the arms to encircle the opponent's neck in a fashion similar to a guillotine. The technique is either a type of tracheal compression restraint that prevents air flow...
) at 1:24 of round 1
Preliminary card
- Welterweight bout: Jay HieronJay HieronJames Thomas Hieronymus , better known as Jay Hieron, is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He is known for his wrestling base and heavy hands....
vs. Jesse TaylorJesse TaylorJesse Marcus Taylor is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred...
- Hieron defeated Taylor via decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).
- Light Heavyweight bout: Scott LightyScott LightyScott Lighty is an American super heavyweight kickboxer and light heavyweight mixed martial artist, from San Luis Obispo, California. He currently trains at The Pit alongside UFC veterans, Chuck Liddell and Glover Teixeira...
vs. Mike Cook
- Light Heavyweight bout:
- Lighty defeated Cook via TKO (punch to the body) at 2:05 of round 1
- Lightweight bout: David DouglasDavid Douglas (fighter)David Douglas is an American professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the lightweight division and is currently signed with Strikeforce.-MMA Career:...
vs. Justin WilcoxJustin Wilcox.Justin Wilcox is an American mixed martial artist from San Jose, California.He is a former professional bodybuilder and a former NCAA Division I wrestler who first began competing as a welterweight...
- Lightweight bout:
- Wilcox defeated Douglas via submission (rear naked chokeRear naked chokeThe Rear naked choke is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. Depending on the context, the term may refer to one of two variations of the technique, either arm can be used to apply the choke in both cases...
) at 3:16 of round 3- Welterweight bout: James TerryJames Terry (fighter)James Terry is an American mixed martial artist from San Jose, California.. James has an extension college wrestling background. He moved to Northern California in 2005 when he began to sharpen his kickboxing under the guidance of Cung Le. James now trains in MMA and work as an instructor and...
vs. Zak Bucia
- Welterweight bout:
- Terry defeated Bucia via TKO (head kick and punches) at 1:23 of round 1
- Lightweight bout: Isaiah Hill vs. Alex Trevino
- Lightweight bout:
- Trevino defeated Hill via submission (keylock) at 3:56 of round 1
Reported payout
The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the California State Athletic CommissionCalifornia State Athletic Commission
The California State Athletic Commission regulates professional boxing, professional and amateur kickboxing and professional mixed martial arts throughout the State by licensing all participants and supervising the events....
. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses.
- Cristiane Santos ($25,000 – includes $5,000 win bonus) def. Gina Carano ($125,000)
- Gegard Mousasi ($25,000 – no win bonus) def. Renato Sobral ($75,000)
- Gilbert Melendez ($50,000 – no win bonus) def Mitsuhiro Ishida ($30,000)
- Fabricio Werdum ($50,000 – includes $25,000 win bonus) def. Mike Kyle ($14,000)
- Jay Hieron ($55,000 – includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Jesse Taylor ($12,000)
- Scott Lighty ($4,000 – no win bonus) def. Mike Cook ($2,500)
- Justin Wilcox ($5,000 – includes $2,500 win bonus) def. David Douglas ($5,500)
- James Terry ($6,000 – includes $3,000 win bonus) def. Zak Bucia ($2,000)
- Alex Trevino ($3,500 – includes $1,500 win bonus) def. Isaiah Hill ($2,000)
Ratings
The event averaged 576,000 viewers on the Showtime cable network. It peaked with 856,000 viewers for the night's main event between Carano and Santos. The Carano vs. Cyborg event set a new MMA ratings record for Showtime, eclipsing a card headlined with Kimbo SliceKimbo Slice
Kevin Ferguson , better known as Kimbo Slice, is a Bahamian-American boxer, mixed martial artist and occasional actor...
and Tank Abbot, which averaged 522,000 viewers. It also more than doubled Strikeforce's previous offering, Lawler vs. Shields, an event that averaged 275,000 viewers.