WMMA Insight – No Immediate Title Shot for Gina Carano
By Christopher Jester
There are some levels of hypocrisy that cannot be ignored. Such pretenses are easily found in the recent comments by UFC President Dana White and UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey. While the two have both dodged the question of why Cris Cyborg Santos should not face Rousey, they are all onto the idea that former Strikeforce women’s champion Gina Carano should get an immediate title shot. Um, no. Just no.
Cyborg is beginning to have a lot more credibility in her belief that Ronda Rousey is ducking her. That is more than can be said about Rousey who has campaigned on reasons why she should not fight Cyborg. The problem is there is an abundant of reasons why they should. But recent talks are that Rousey wants to fight Gina Carano. Carano, who has not participated in a mixed martial arts fight since her lost to Cyborg back in 2009, is also entertaining the idea of returning to mixed martial arts. The loss was a lopsided beating from Cyborg and Carano’s lone professional loss.
And yet the UFC wants to give her an immediate title shot? It nearly sounds blasphemous. Particularly if you take into consideration one of Rousey’s more recent comments, “I think it would be the highest profile fight that could be done.”
That is simply not true. Cyborg is the most prolific fight that Rousey can have right now. It is not like the UFC has not given fighters who are undeserved of a title shot before. The idea behind the reasoning for Rousey is a bit interesting, as she pairs it to respecting a legend in the sport. While Carano is considered a pioneer, there are still a various number of prospects in her division. Is she already at the point where she can hand pick her challengers?
Following on that note, Demetrious Johnson can’t even handpick his opponents and the UFC flyweight division is quite thin as well. The recent announcement of Demetrious Johnson vs. Ali Bagautinov proves that there doesn’t always have to be a house name as the challenger. But most will respect that Bagautinov is a worthy challenger for the young champion in Johnson. Shouldn’t the UFC make Rousey take this same route? Or is it that they think she’s beyond that now?
Even if you consider Gina Carano as worthy opposition, she is still untested at 135lbs. However, the UFC is still willing to give her that immediate title shot or even a catchweight fight at 145 pounds. This is even more duplicitous if you consider that they want Cyborg to drop weight comfortably and fight a few times at bantamweight before getting a shot against Rousey. The Rousey versus Cyborg is the most relevant at the moment.
Even if you consider that Cyborg recently loss in a Muay Thai match-up at Lion Fight 14 (albeit, it should be noted her opponent, Jorina Baars is now 33-0), then why not choose another top contender? Holly Holm fits the bill. Undefeated and the current Legacy FC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Holm is the most ready of all of Rousey’s challengers for the big time. Although her team had a conversation with Dana White about signing with the UFC, they could not reach a deal at the time. It is inevitable for Holm to come over to the UFC and if anyone is deserving of an immediate title shot it is her.
Although no news has surfaced on what was discussed in the meeting between Dana White and Gina Carano this week, we know that all parties are interested in a Rousey fight. As popular as Carano is, it is still a bit challenging to imagine her as an immediate title contender. With other challengers waiting in the wings, there are some noticeable match-ups that the UFC is avoiding for the potential luxurious Rousey-Carano payday.
Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka
Post your comments directly below! You can also discuss the latest MMA and Video Game News in the PunchDrunkGamer Forums and don’t forget to Follow PDG on Twitter @PunchDrunkGamer and Like the PDG Official Facebook Page!
