Cristiane 'Cyborg' Santos collides with Hitomi Akano at Strikeforce event on April 11
by Jesse Holland on Mar 4, 2009 4:58 PM EST
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Strikeforce has announced today that former EliteXC female powerhouse Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (6-1) will collide with Smack Girl Champion Hitomi "Girlfight Monster" Akano (14-5) on the main card of the new-look Strikeforce debut show set for April 11 in San Jose, California.
While it may not be the superfight against Gina Carano that MMA fans have been clamoring for, Akano is by all means a suitable replacement.
Cyborg -- the wife of former Pride FC fighter Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos -- burst onto the scene in May of 2008 with a dominating performance against Shayna Baszler in her debut under the Elite XC banner. Like her husband, she’s a product of the Brazilian Chute Boxe Academy, a style that’s evident as soon as she steps foot in the cage.
Her most recent fight was in October 2007 on the Elite XC: "Heat" card. She out-pointed Yoko Takahashi on the judges scorecards for a unanimous decision. It was a hard fought battle, but another impressive win for Santos nonetheless.
Santos was scheduled to make an appearance at XMMA 7 against Dutch submissions artist Marloes Coenen until a late injury forced her off the February 27 card.
From Cyborg:
"I know Hitomi Akano is the best Japanese female fighter today, but I am prepared for any situation and will always be looking for the knockout. My coaches and I will study the style of Akano. My master Rafael Cordeiro is one who has helped me grow up in MMA. He is the best coach in the world."
Akano is a submission specialist and former standout on Japan’s national judo team and has yet to be finished in 19 career fights. The Japanese import is riding a three fight win streak and has ended 11 of her 14 victories by way of tapout.
From Girlfight Monster:
"I am really looking forward to this fight because, compared to mine, Cyborg has got almost a completely opposite style. She is a striker and I am a grappler," said Akano, whose start on April 11 will be her second in the United States. "Regardless of where I fight, I believe in myself and my ability to fight my own game."
The April 11 Strikeforce card will feature Nick Diaz and Frank Shamrock facing off in the evening’s main event at a catchweight of 179 pounds. Also scheduled to do battle is Scott Smith as he faces Benji Radach and Joe Riggs taking on former Elite XC Welterweight Champion Jake Shields.
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Thats funny, but I have found myself a fan of his.
by iagoof22 on Mar 4, 2009 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Am I retarded? I just found out that she is actually married to the real Cyborg! As if I alreday didnt know both their names were Santos, and that they are perfect for each other….2 of the toughest ugly people on earth…how could they not be together!
I will tell you one thing, watch out for Baby Cyborg…coming to an Octagon near you in the year 2030!
by john on Mar 4, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
He’s gonna be a prospect before being born haha!
by NameNotRequired on Mar 4, 2009 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
no doubt! I heard he went undefeated as a fetus!
by john on Mar 4, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
I heard that the Fetus slapped an armbar on the Abortion Dr. who was trying to abort Cyborg the Fetus…. Dr, Tapped but the Fetus held on, and snapped his elbow!
War Cyborg Fetus!
by john on Mar 5, 2009 7:52 AM EST up reply actions
u guys got me in stitches~ very funny stuff!
~war cyborg fetus!
by stinky~fingers on Mar 5, 2009 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
I guess a lot of the regulars can tell when I am high as a kite! hahahaha
by john on Mar 5, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
John surely you’re kidding. You must have known before now that Cristiane is married to Evangelista.
Anyways that reminds me, I must watch Manhoef Cyborg again. It’s the funniest fight in the history of mma I think.
If you guys haven’t seen it you must watch it.
http://www.dailymotion.com/search/manhoef/video/x1g4rk_melvin-manhoef-vs-cyborg_sport
by RobH86 on Mar 5, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions
What a surprise! Carano dodging Cyborg again, how fking sad.
The protection she’s given makes Bispings look like nothing.
She wouldnt last 10 seconds with Cyborg or Fuji.
The “face of womens mma” is a scared little rabbit.
by Lester the Pimp on Mar 4, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions
I enjoy her not fighting ctborg other wise her pretty face would be real messed up.
by onthebutton336 on Mar 4, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
Are you suggesting she illagitimise the sport of Women’s MMA? How Dare You… hahahahahahahahaahahahaha. I had you there, didn’t I.
by DB on Mar 4, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
this is actually a legit match. Hitomi is no slouch.
by Bill Maher on Mar 4, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
Isn’t Hitomi the chick that beat the shit out of Ryan Dunn on Jackass?
by BrutalKnockout. on Mar 4, 2009 9:38 PM EST up reply actions
Isnt Hitomie the chick that beat up Ryan Dunn on Jack@$$ the Movie?
by BrutalKnockout. on Mar 4, 2009 9:38 PM EST up reply actions
heres is my only beef with womens mma, i understand gina is pretty good and this cyborg girl is probably the best, but other than those two what other girls are even good.
by Blazy J on Mar 4, 2009 6:13 PM EST reply actions
thats the same thing dana white says about adding womens MMA to ufc/wec there’s only 2 real fighters
by randy murders on Mar 4, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
Tara LaRosa is probably the best female MMA fighter.
by Tricky Nick on Mar 4, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
Those cage links are huge someones going to get thier head stuck in it.
by ShaiZ on Mar 4, 2009 6:37 PM EST reply actions
Cyborg has great fighting skills, technique, and aggression. She fight like a guy. She’s great!
by Griffinfan05 on Mar 4, 2009 6:46 PM EST reply actions
I wonder what Cyborg would be like in the sack, id let her toss me around anyday.
by BMO on Mar 4, 2009 6:48 PM EST reply actions
And here we go again…knowitalls yelling that Carano is scared of Cyborg…do any of you ignorants know that Gina was a Muay Thai champion in Thailand before getting into MMA? she’s banged with women with much more fight experience than Cyborg, and in 29 fights, I’m sure she’s found at least one or two who go at it as crazy and hard as Cyborg does.
And if anybody wants to bet, as soon as the Carano/Cyborg fight happens, I’ll bet a good amount of cash on Gina…she beats Cyborg 9 out of 10 times (gotta give Cyborg one for her power…everybody can get caught).
by Vox on Mar 4, 2009 8:29 PM EST reply actions
Am I the only one that thinks females fighting like males is not entertaining? I mean with bikinis and oil I’m all in but really do we care to see women really busting eachother up? I don’t and pray it never makes it to the UFC.
by The Beast on Mar 4, 2009 10:33 PM EST reply actions
It’s a lot more entertaining than women boxing, Now thats boring!
by BK on Mar 5, 2009 1:01 AM EST up reply actions
I feel guilty for saying it, but as a female, I have very little interst in female fighting. It seems un-natural to me, somehow. I don’t know, I could totally be off base. I’m just a wussy female who is into yoga. All that being said, i respect the hell out of any female (and male) who can make that brave walk up to the octogon.
And yes-bikinis and oil, that would be totally awesome- outside of a professional fight.
That’s the difference between men and women- women can appreciate and enjoy beautiful women. Men have a hard time enjoying other hot men.
by justagirl on Mar 5, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
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