SAN JOSE – Gina Carano may be the face of women’s mixed martial arts, but Cris Cyborg is the new Strikeforce women’s champion.
Carano, who came into the fight as a two to one underdog, proved unable to cope with the power and striking ability of Santos, who finished the previously undefeated Carano by strikes with one second remaining in the first round.
Carano was in constant trouble from the beginning of the bout. She was able to avoid multiple submission attempts by Cyborg but wasn’t able to mount any type of offense against the Brazilian powerhouse.
MOUSASI MAKES STUNNING UNITED STATES DEBUT
Gegard Mousasi made his United States MMA debut in style, finishing former UFC star Renato “Babalu” Sobral in one devastating minute to capture the Strikeforce light heavyweight championship.
Mousasi rose to stardom in Japan and has unquestionably been one of the most-hyped prospects of the past few years, but Sobral represented the most talented fighter he’s faced thus far in his MMA career. Mousasi rose to the challenge, however, getting Sobral to the ground and then finishing the fight with hard shots on the ground that left Sobral nearly comatose.
MELENDEZ RETAINS INTERIM CHAMPIONSHIP
Gilbert Melendez and Mitsuhiro Ishida put on the best fight of the evening in a fast-paced and exciting bout for the interim lightweight championship. Melendez finished Ishida in the third round by TKO.
Fabricio Werdum made quick work of Mike Kyle in the first round of the main card opener, finishing Kyle by guillotine choke. Werdum, a potential future opponent for new Strikeforce heavyweight ruler Fedor Emelianenko, looked far more impressive than in his last UFC run.
