Gina Carano and 'Cyborg' Santos storm NYC to promote August 15 Strikeforce title fight

by Jesse Holland on Jul 15, 2009 1:26 PM EDT

Strikeforce held a press conference and fan meet and greet session yesterday (July 14) in the heart of New York City starring female fighting sensation Gina Carano (7-0) side-by-side with former Elite XC fighter Cristiane Santos (7-1) to promote their upcoming Strikeforce title fight on August 15.

"Conviction" and "Cyborg" will collide at Strikeforce: 'Carano vs. Cyborg' on Saturday, August 15, from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, in a five round tilt for the Strikeforce women's championship.

The female American Gladiator has been on the sidelines ever since her thrashing of Kelly Kobald at ‘Heat’ back in October 2008. A victory over the dangerous Santos would undoubtedly cement her status as one of the world’s top female fighters.

But Carano recognizes the challenge that lies ahead:

"I have the ultimate, utmost respect for Cyborg. This is the toughest fight of my life. [She] is very strong. That is why I have reached out to Randy Couture to support me. Randy is training me to get ready for the toughest fight of my career. He is my head trainer and he will be in my corner. I want to thank Strikeforce and Showtime. It took a lot of balls to put [on a main event between two women] ."

"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 on the Strikeforce: ‘Shamrock vs. Diaz’ card last April when she received heavy criticism for missing weight for her fight against Japanese import Hitomi Akano. Santos brutalized "Girlfight Monster" for two rounds before stopping her with strikes in the final frame.

Like Carano, Santos isn't taking this title fight lightly:

"I think the one who makes the fewer mistakes will win this fight. I am expecting a war. I have been training a lot since my last fight. I am ready and very excited. This is a great opportunity and this will be a very good fight for the fans."

Both combatants left the press conference looking confident and ready to fight. They took the time to sign autographs and pose for pictures before and after their public workout in front of the entrance to Madison Square Garden.

How much attention yesterday's MMA event brought to "The city that never fights" remains to be seen. While it certainly garnered it's share of onlookers, most of the slack-jawed public reacted with "Oh, that's the UFC stuff."

Draw your own conclusions.

Check out more pics from the Strikeforce: "Carano vs. Cyborg" press conference below.

Gina Caran "Oh!"

'Hot'borg (Yeah I said it)

The Strikeforce Women's Championship. Up for grabs!

Cyborg ready to strut her stuff.

MMA's new power couple?

For more on Strikeforce: "Carano vs. Cyborg" click here.

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Comments

Holy shit, this purse-slapping contest is going to get more press than Affliction 3 or 101, isn’t it. Sad.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 15, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

I like Gina’s new hair

by McArthur on Jul 15, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

purse slapping… lol at least the rest of the card is solid, cant wait to see overeem crush werdum! riggs/diaz should be a good fight as well

by brendan on Jul 15, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

i would so totally do it with Cyborg she so hot oooooooooooohhhhhhh god just thinking about it

by Tyler Durden on Jul 15, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

i think Cyborg is going to DESTROY gina…just my opinion

by newfie on Jul 15, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

You’re a sick motherf-cker durden……..

by Dragon on Jul 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Cyborg! Are you crazy, man…must have tranny fetish

by slim473 on Jul 15, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

ya i for one dont joke around about cyborg because damn that bitch ugly!!

by JG on Jul 15, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

ya i for one dont joke around about cyborg because damn she ugly!!!

by JG on Jul 15, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Cyborg is a beasttttt.

Who do they fight after this fight though? Are there any other fighters in their weight division? This is at 145 right?

by rockwell on Jul 15, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

that depends on what time of the month the weigh-ins occur

by McArthur on Jul 15, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Cyborg is going to knock the pretty off of Gina’s face.

by RedDog on Jul 16, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Im done posting on this topic. THe only thing I will post on Gina/Cyborg threads is post saying how I am done posting on this topic! lol

I dont know who will win this fight, so only thing else I have to say is…. BOOBIES!!!!

by JOhn G on Jul 16, 2009 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions

“Mama, Mama, Vicky Valencourt (Gina Carano) showed me her Boobies n I liked em!” (in my adam Sandler, Bobby Bouche Voice)

by JOhn G on Jul 16, 2009 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry to bump but didnt know where to post can somebody post Mir’s post fight interview comments?

by curtioso on Jul 15, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

The only interview that I saw was when Rogan interviewed him if that is what you are referring to. He said Brock did a good job, that he made a stupid mistake letting someone that big and strong get him up against the cage and pin his arm, his strategy was to keep the fight standing, and that he’s young and will be back.

by Adam T. on Jul 15, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Cyborg doesn’t look half bad in some of those pics.
I bet she’s got a clit like a midgets cawk.

by SHORT_BUS on Jul 15, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

LMAO!!! I wasn’t going to say it

by McArthur on Jul 15, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

i think i just threw up in my mouth

by JG on Jul 15, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Doesn’t look half bad? Do you like dudes? She looks like a guy…nasty.

by Big Daddio on Jul 15, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Nothing wrong with a little tranny love. You seem uptight, are you repressing your true feelings? Come sit on santa’s lap and tell him what you want for christmas.

by SHORT_BUS on Jul 15, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

big daddio probably wants that new toy bruno is advertising, called d*ck’n’mamouth.

by orcus on Jul 15, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

be careful whos lap you sit on, you might just turn kirs kringle on

by brendan on Jul 15, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

No toys or trannies for Daddio sorry. Cyborg is hideous, end of discussion.

by Slap Nuts on Jul 15, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I spit half my effin lunch on my computer when I read that. LOL

by The McArthur on Jul 15, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

not me and not funny ;)

by McArthur on Jul 15, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

sorry Dragon…TheDragon is back

by McArthur on Jul 15, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Surely he didn’t steal your name too?? Or was you TheDragon the whole time?? I’m confused??

by Dragon on Jul 15, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

not me man…he’s out there somewhere….soon there will be ThePW, and TheKevin, and ThePunch etc.

by McArthur on Jul 15, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

That dirty s.ob.

by Dragon on Jul 15, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Her face still looks like my foot.

by ~Savage~ on Jul 15, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

a wenis

by Gurthee on Jul 15, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s funny that Gina gets so much crap for allegedly only being popular because of her looks. But the other fighters try just as hard to look good. Cyborg has a girly little tank top on and Gina is wearing a black leather jacket. Who’s more dolled up here?

by wAyNe on Jul 15, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

God I love Joe Rogan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ah57GjZSWc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebloodyelbow%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded
.
I met the cyborgs just after she missed weight at the weigh ins for her last fight! I got to say, 2 of the nicest people I’ve ever met!

by kevin on Jul 15, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

Simply Awesome.

I was having a crap day.. literally a 2 out of 10.
Buffer 360 brings me up to at least a 6.
A UFC classic no doubt and a great mid-day post.

On topic – I think the women deserve the headline here.
You can’t say either hasn’t been paying dues.
We all want to see it, so go ahead everyone and appreciate it for what it is or choose to ignore it all together.

I’ve seen some really entertaining fights with the women competitors. If you think female MMA is boring maybe you should ask Josh Barnett what his thoughts are.

by Big Zino on Jul 15, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the link Kevin! Buffer just went up a notch in respect, lol. They should have showed it on the PPV.

by Stagger-Lee on Jul 15, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

oh my god it really happened best evrnt ever!

by Nokia on Jul 15, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

*event sorry

by Nokia on Jul 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Watched it earlier 2day and could not beleive he actually done it!! Buffer is the man!!

by Dragon on Jul 15, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Nothing pisses me off more in UFC events, other than fights featuring Huggie Bear, than when they cut away from Buffer doing the announcements.

by PW on Jul 15, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

They will do there best to pump it as the biggest fight of the yr.

Good fight but not that great, kinda meaningless in the grand scheme of things. There really is no one else at there weight.

And certainly not enough good fighters to bring along at this point.

I hope Santos wins tired of listening to Carano and her little im so embaraced look she has all the time.

by Badguy on Jul 15, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

Gina NEVER looks embarrassed when she’s fighting.
That’s all that matters anyway.

by Stupid on Jul 15, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

cool championship belt

by miller on Jul 15, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

It should be pink instead of gold but its still cute.

by Lester The Pimp on Jul 15, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

“embaraced”

huh????

by kevin on Jul 15, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Everytime the introduce her as the face of MMA or amazing at fighting and beautiful she has this stupid look on her face and gets all embaraced and then gives the standard same old response.

Im just tired of her. Now she will finally fight some one her own size.

If she can make weight. She mad ethe last time so she is overdue.

by Badguy on Jul 15, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

wow, you missed it! I agree with you, I was poking fun at the spelling (as a joke). english may not be 1st language!

by kevin on Jul 15, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d like to see her em-bare-assed.

by PW on Jul 15, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be great to title the event: Beauty vs Beast

Cyborg probably would understand it after standing next to Carano.

by zzzzzz on Jul 15, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Really looking forward to this fight…my maiden voyage into the world of womens’ MMA betting. No doubt these two mixed martial artists will put on a great fight.

by MMAMoneyLine on Jul 15, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Im calling Santos via Tea Bag Rd 1

by ~Savage~ on Jul 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

No effin’ way…Bwahahahahaha.

by RobH86 on Jul 15, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah, donkey punch

by Gurthee on Jul 15, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Gina doesn’t look embarrassed when she’s fighting

by Stupid on Jul 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

can’t wait for this fight!!

i’d like gina to take the gold but sadly i think it’ll be cyborg via KO ala Rampage vs Wandy III or Hendo vs Bisping

question is, who will the winner fight next? randy’s ex? can you imagine if Randy was on Gina’s corner against his ex?? great story line there, definitely more PPVs than Lesnar vs Mir II LOL!!!

by Mascarita on Jul 15, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Cyborg looks better then Gina IMO..

by johan-lofgren on Jul 15, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Think you got em mixed up, Gina’s not the blonde.

by O damn he got caught on Jul 15, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Look at his name. He’s clearly eastern European or something, and Cyborg has some of the traits prized over there, like the ability to drag a plow through frozen ground.

by PW on Jul 15, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL. Yeah, they’re big on broad shoulders.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 15, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL; nice PW

by O damn he got caught on Jul 15, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Great card makes no fucken sense to have the women as the main event seriously especially since they are being dumb and making it 5 5minute rounds thats just even more dumb!

by Khaos_Warrior on Jul 15, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

What’s Larry Flynt doing between Carano and Cyborg?

by pancake head on Jul 15, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

any thruth to the gina carano sex tape rumors cagepotato has up? kit cope sayas he has one.

by dbg on Jul 15, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

Holy $hit! What the hell is Larry Flynt doing in between those 2?

by neeko on Jul 15, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

Pancake head, sorry man, I didn’t see your comment..amazing how he looks like Larry the Hustlah though

by neeko on Jul 15, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Carano….id lick her asshole…..cyborg is a dude…..i think she has a cock underneath those shorts…..

by slocruiser on Jul 15, 2009 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Cyborg is going to go for a triangle choke on Gina but “her” dick is going to pop out and choke out Gina instead. Gina wins due to Cyborg getting DQed for using a “foreign” object during the fight.

by teslacoil on Aug 13, 2009 5:01 AM EDT reply actions