The biggest draw for EliteXC's first CBS show later this month is Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson. But the second-biggest draw may be Gina Carano, America's best-known women's mixed martial arts fighter, who will get another publicity boost tonight when ESPN features her on E:60.And EliteXC is already looking beyond the Carano vs. Kaitlin Young fight on that May 31 card to a day when, EliteXC President Gary Shaw says, they might do an all-female MMA card.
"We'll continue putting [women] on Showtime and on CBS, and we'll continue putting them on the ShoXC cards, as well," Shaw said. "The fight team and (EliteXC matchmaker) Jeremy Lapen are working hard on additions for the female divisions."Right now there aren't enough female MMA fighters under contract to EliteXC to pull off an all-female show, but Shaw says that's a real possibility for 2009. I think it would be great for the growth of the sport.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-13-2008 @ 9:08PM
GM said...
this is very unlikely
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5-14-2008 @ 4:05AM
Talkbets said...
As much as I love Women's MMA, this is just too soon. The niche for MMA is still small and there are so many opponents to the sport, this would add fuel to their fire. One female fight per show is fine but it's not ready for US mainstream.
Also good luck finding more females that are considered "acceptable" to show their face on TV. Carano is good looking and no way would she be on TV if she wasn't. I'm not gonna throw other female MMA names out here, but there are some better female fighters out there that get no airtime just because of their "look".
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5-14-2008 @ 1:22PM
murph207 said...
I have always refused to watch women’s professional boxing; I respect their right to do it I just won’t watch. This? You couldn’t pay me to tune into. not that i am a fan of the MMA anyway
Murph
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5-16-2008 @ 12:57PM
Ginny said...
Carano is more then just another pretty face. To say the only reason she is getting air time is because of her looks is an ignorant response. Have you seen some of the other girls she has fought so far? Not cute, so what their excuse for airtime? Doesn’t her record stand for anything? I’m sure Gina and XC would be more then willing to take on almost any fighter in her weight class regardless of looks, and I’m even surer she would win everyone. I agree I don’t think people are ready for an all girls show yet, but I have a felling it’s coming soon and I personally can’t wait.
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