When Gina Carano brought women's mixed martial arts to the forefront less than five years ago it was due to her sex appeal. She never came across as charismatic or supremely talented. But she was paired up in favorable fights to continue winning and use her looks to become a star.

When she finally fought someone in her weight class she was dispatched from MMA in a rude way. Cyborg Santos ushered her out with brute force. Cyborg had a little buzz around her due to her violent style, but it never matched Carano's appeal to the casual fanbase.

Fast forward two and a half years later and the next women's MMA superstar has arrived. Not because of her looks, but because of her talent and charisma. Ronda Rousey is the complete package.

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Sara McMann, the top prospect in all of women’s mixed martial arts, picked up her fifth consecutive victory last night over veteran Hitomi Akano via unanimous decision. Going in to the fight I was hopeful that we would be able to see McMann stay on her feet and test her striking, and that was her original intent. From my perspective that would be the ideal outcome for her development as a fighter, and as a gameplan too, for this fight. Akano is a very skilled grappler but can not match the strength of McMann and posed no legitimate threat on the feet.

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Originally written on January 9th:

The world of women's mixed martial arts got thrust back into the forefront of MMA coverage this past week with two bits of news. Social media, specifically, was abuzz with the hardcore MMA fans opining.

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I’ve read numerous fan posts and articles claiming how good having the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix is and from a fan’s perspective it is great, but is it good for Strikeforce? It really depends on how the results turn out.

The majority of these shows will draw quite well and give Strikeforce a boost monetarily, however, it’s the results that will determine the success of the tournament long-term for the fight company. First and foremost the winner of this tournament is already being declared by some to be the new number one heavyweight in the world which is a great marketing tool for Strikeforce. I cannot say outright that this is true for myself due to a certain UFC Heavyweight Champion. In all likelihood I’ll only move Alistair Overeem and Fedor Emelianenko above Velasquez with a tournament victory.

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WMMA 1 Review by Brent Brookhouse

April 8th will signal another release by Grey Dog Software and devoloper Adam Ryland with World of Mixed Martial Arts 2. The new WMMA has some omissions from the first and takes a turn to more of a Joe Silva-esque game.

The focus of WMMA2 is on the match making and roster management. As with any game that is not licensed you will not find real world fighters in the game, however, Ryland has updated his "Cornellverse" database for this new installment. As you play and get to know the game world you'll fall into a trance and play hours after hours.

The switch in focus to a match making means your focus will be placed on making the best fights for your fans, and more importantly your company. The meeting screen from WMMA1 has been removed, but with the inclusion of a new roster view it makes the screen obsolete - no harm, no foul. You'll be able to tell who in your company is worthy of headlining a card depending on your company's size, which is a very helpful tool for the new version.

One of the significant changes from WMMA1 to WMMA2 is that there is not a fight recap, instead there is play by play that allows you to watch a fight evolve (in text) in front of your eyes. Also included is the new fighter tactics feature. This feature allows the fighter to be rated in each of the 14 tactics that makes each fight realistic. So now you may have a jiu-jitsu ace be primarily a stand-up fighter regardless of his actual strengths (sound like anyone we may know?).

WMMA2 allows you to book multiple events in advance, something missing from the first version, which is a welcome addition. You will be able to book three shows in advance that will help with your roster management. An overlooked feature that Mr. Ryland has added into the game is independent shows. In WMMA1 fighters who were not hired would sit in the unemployment line never getting a fight, but in WMMA2 they'll randomly be thrown into a small show fight to keep active - making WMMA2 more true to life.

If you owned WMMA1 and had a game on going that you don't want to lose, don't fret, as with all Ryland games there is a converter. You will need to update some stats however, but with the in flux of new stats for fighters it will only improve your game.

The one complaint I have is actually minor. The graphics in the game are not up to par, but with the focus of a text simulator being on gameplay it's not worth fussing over. Besides the modding community will release a variety of new "skins" for everyone to download.

I have only listed a fraction of new additions to WMMA2, and if you have a burning desire to be Joe Silva for a few hours a day WMMA2 is a perfect fit for you at a reasonably priced $34.95 (a good price in todays age of $60.00 games with 9 hours of a gameplay). And if you can't get in to the "Cornellverse" you can always download a user made modification by the community for real world fighters (Keep your eyes peeled for Tap or Snap ;)).

Pick it up and then you can find out what it is like to be Joe Silva without the bad hair and stress of booking for Dana White and the UFC.

Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann

Former WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit will make his UFC debut this coming Wednesday night. He'll step inside a whole new cage in front of a larger audience in a tilt with Martin Kampmann. Condit will enter with the fanfare of being the WEC champion and the "hot" new guy on the block, but many overlook just how solid Kampmann was at 185 pounds inside the Octagon.

Four wins of his nine fight win streak took place inside the Octagon, including a unanimous decision victory over current title contender Thales Leites. It was only when he ran in to the re-dedicated Nate Marquardt that he faltered. Now he is down to 170 pounds and feeling more comfortable than ever after his decisive victory over Alexandre Barros.

That makes this fight that much more important for both fighters. A win by either man moves them into instant contender status to challenge for Georges St. Pierre's title (or possibly Thiago Alves). Personally, I have to give an edge to Kampmann who is now a seasoned UFC veteren who will not be deterred by the audience and lights of the "Big Show". Condit will have those questions stepping up in the UFC.

Condit will need to push the pace and challenge Kampmann. Kampmann's quality striking will be the difference in this fight. While Condit tries to bombard Martin he will eat a few strikes and allow Kampmann to finish the fight in the second round.
Winner: Martin Kampmann by TKO in the Second Round

Tyson Griffin vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Rafael dos Anjos gets thrown right back into the lion's den when he takes on Tyson Griffin. It will be tough work for dos Anjos to pull off the upset, and with Tyson focused on trying to move back up the ladder at 155 I can not see him accomplishing the feat. Tyson will maul dos Anjos and force a stoppage in the second round after spending the first round wearing down Rafael with a brutal pace.
Winner: Tyson Griffin by TKO in the Second Round

Ryan Bader vs. Carmelo Marrero
This is a perfect fight that the UFC is known for with their TUF winners. Bader will have the advantage on the fight and in the wrestling game. His wrestling pedigree will allow him to take the fight where he wants to go with little danger coming from Marrero. Look for Darth Bader to force Marrero to the dark side by putting him out in the first round with strong ground and pound.
Winner: Ryan Bader by TKO in the First Round

Cole Miller vs. Junie Browning
One of the most anticipated bouts of the evening will take place when the TUF 8 villian takes on TUF alum Cole Miller. Junie has looked better since coming off the show and heading to Xtreme Couture, but there seems to be a hype (or hope) surrounding him for his personality and recognition. On the show he was caught in a submission from a grappler with far less experience than Cole.

Look for Junie to try and keep the fight standing with his much improved stand-up, but Cole Miller will use his length to pepper Browning before catching him in a submission in a one-sided affair.
Winner: Cole Miller via Submission in the Second Round

Preliminary Matches
Brock Larson vs. Jesse Sanders
Winner: Brock Larson by Decision

Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Horwich
Winner: Ricardo Almeida via Submission in the Second Round

Jeremy Stephens vs. Gleison Tibau
Winner: Gleison Tibau by TKO in the First Round

Jorge Rivera vs. Nissen Osterneck
Winner: Jorge Rivera by TKO in the First Round

Rob Kimmons vs. Joe Vedepo
Winner: Joe Vedepo by Decision

Aaron Simpson vs. Tim McKenzie
Winner: Aaron Simpson by Decision

Steve Steinbeiss vs. Ryan Jensen
Winner: Steve Steinbeiss by TKO in the Third Round

Nick Catone vs. Tim Credeur
Winner: Nick Catone by TKO in the Second Round