http://www.examiner.com/x-23630-Oakland ... Womens-MMA
When Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos stopped Gina Carano via a TKO last month for the STRIKEFORCE championship at 145 pounds in San Jose, CA, it was without question the most anticipated bout in female MMA history. Over thirteen thousand rabid fans witnessed the two ladies go at it in a non-stop action bout that surpassed the expectations of many and left viewers wanting to see more.
The fallout from the bout was swift, mostly focusing on the possible repercussions of the physically beautiful and talented face of women’s MMA suffering her first loss. Gina Carano, having built her fame on her good looks as much as accomplishments in the ring, is no longer on top of the sport, but her loss to Santos is not necessarily a negative to the cause of women in MMA.
Lessons are often learned from our past, so in examining the history of women in combat sports, there is no closer parallel to Gina Carano than former Playboy Playmate and boxing champion Mia St. John. Bringing both beauty and fighting skills into the ring, St. John was certainly among, if not the most, popular female boxer back in the late nineties and earlier this decade. Known for her tight, pink shorts and all-action style, this black belt in Tae Kwon Do, model, mother and college graduate, is among the most accomplished fighters in female combat sports history despite having suffered multiple losses.
Having spoken to Mia St. John last year, she did not shy away from the role sex appeal played in her own career. “I really didn’t push it at the beginning. Bob Arum really did that because he is a very smart, savvy business man. When I was with Don King, I was wearing all black and no makeup. When Arum got me, it was really a combination of both our ideas that I go into the ring in all pink with short, little shorts and makeup. Then Arum and Hugh Heffner got together and decided to promote me in the magazine, so that’s how the whole sex appeal thing got started.”
Conventional wisdom is sex sells and puts butts in the seats when it comes to female fighters, but even the men have experienced a similar correlation when it comes to fame and fortune. Does anyone believe Oscar De La Hoya would have enjoyed so much monetary success in boxing if he wasn’t sporting the good looks?
The fact is Gina Carano will still be beautiful and her career will continue to flourish as long as she remains dedicated to training and improving her skills. Mia St. John was undefeated in her first twenty-three bouts before losing to Rolanda Andrews via technical knockout back in 2001, and the blemish did little to slowdown her career. As for St. John, she says monetary success for women in the sport of MMA will take more than good looks and talent.
“I’m not so sure it’s up to the women because there are so many women out there who are skilled and beautiful. I really think it’s going to be up to the promoters to start featuring these women on their televised cards, and of course it’s up to the market….the fans. A promoter is not going to invest his money in a woman if the fans aren’t interested, and it’s very hard to get fans interested.”
Well, MMA promoter STRIKEFORCE with the support of Showtime Networks put on an exceptionally popular show last month featuring female fighters, and based on the large attendance, fans seemed interested. While Gina Carano’s sex appeal certainly played a role, the great fight put on by both combatants showed women’s MMA can be a great product that sells well to a broad audience if properly supported by strong business interests willing to put up the money.
For more info: Please contact Oakland MMA Examiner Joseph Bourelly via e-mail at jacmelian@hotmail.com
