Elite XC: Results and Fallout

I will say that, because EXC is a smaller show, the overall affect it has on the sport isn't quite as extreme as some of the UFC cards, but that didn't make the card any less exciting last night.

Robbie Lawler finished Murilo "Ninja" Rua with strikes at 2:04 in the third round. It was another strong showing by Lawler, who finished ICON Sport Middleweight champion Frank Trigg to take the title. Lawler had faded a little from the limelight, but with two very strong showings against very good fighters, Lawler is back on the radar and the man that everyone used to fear at 185 is returning to form.

Jake Sheilds defeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist Renato Verissimo with strikes at 4:00 in the first round. While Charuto's jiu-jitsu skills couldn't save him from Sheilds, who is proving himself as one of the top 170 pounders in the smaller circuit, I am sure that we will see Verissimo around. His recent sponsorship by TapouT and his affiliation with "The Prodigy" BJ Penn make him an interesting fighter to watch, even when his one dimensional-ness is taken into account.

Nick Diaz returned from his hiaitus after testing positive for marijuana (his last win over PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi was stripped after the drug test), but he looked like he was stoned. Many, myself included, expected Diaz to roll through Mike Aina, but he barely squeaked out a split decision. Frankly, he should have smoked some weed.

Gina "Conviction" Carano put on another incredible display, defeating Tonya Evinger by submission due to a rear naked choke at 2:53 in the first round. Carano is already considered the face of women's MMA, but her ability to dominate impressively against is what makes her really incredible, and it was one of the best fights on the card.

Joey Villasenor beat Riki Fukuda by a narrow split decision.

Brandon Wolff and Tyson Nam won unanimous decisions over Chad Klingsmith and Albert Manners, respectively.

Mark Kurano rear naked choked out Jose Diaz at 1:13 in the first, and Mark Oshiro turned in an almost identical box-score, putting away Nui Wheeler at 1:19.

Kala Kolohe Hose got the fastest finish of the night, TKOing Jeff Cox in 20 seconds. Elias Delos Reyes was runner up, submitting Chico Cantiberos with an armbar in 52 seconds.

Justin Buchholz TKO'd Ikaika Choy-Fu at 1:35 to round out the card.

Overall, it was an exciting night. A few close decisions, a few very quick finishes and some very impressive performances turned in by the big names. Definitely a good show, and an organization that I'll be looking forward to seeing more of in the future.

Gina Carano: Kicking Ass and Taking Names

It's hard to call someone an icon in MMA when they started training about 3 years ago and only have 4 professional fights, but if anyone fits the profile of an icon, it's Gina Carano.

She's already made a name for herself as the most well known female fighter in the sport and is a main card attraction on the up and coming pay-per-view Elite XC organization.

My introduction to Gina "Conviction" Carano was watching her fight with Julie Kedzie in the Elite XC divsion that she still runs, which inspired the TV series fight girls and has made womens MMA more than just a cult like the WNBA in comparison to the MMA community.

While MMA is still becoming a part of the mainstream, it has been running into alot of confrontation with medical associations (Most recently the BMA) and self-righteous conservatives (the representatives at the BMA). I'm not exactly shy about how much I dislike anyone who tells anyone else what to do or what not to do without being asked, but even the hardships men's MMA has, it's even harder for the women.

Dana White, the figurehead at the front of the mixed-martial-arts behemoth that is the Ultimate Fighting Championship has acknowledged Carano specifically as a talent, but has said that he doesn't believe the world is ready for watching women beat the hell out of each other.

Carano is a great fighter, so when I watch her I could give less of a crap what her gender is, and I suggest that everyone watch her and the other fighters on the upcoming Elite XC card.