MMAGuard
Nov 05, 2009 Jul 25, 2011 18 741
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In the summer of 2009, a er losing the first fight of her career, Gina Carano, a professional mixed martial artist, considered throwing in the towel. But at her agent’s insistence, the 29-year-old Texan agreed to meet with a director named Steven Soderbergh. "I had a black eye, and I didn’t want to see anyone," she says. "Especially not a director who, I’m embarrassed to say, I hadn’t heard of before. He wanted to make a movie based on a female action person—‘star’ feels too weird to say—who would make these Hollywood stage fights look believable."
Two days a fter their first meeting, Soderbergh, the Oscar-winning director of films like Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Eleven, and Tra ffic, asked the first-time actor to star in Haywire alongside Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, and Ewan McGregor. In the film, which Soderbergh wrote with Carano in mind, she plays a black-ops super-soldier seeking vengeance a fter she’s betrayed during one of her missions. "When I’m training for a fight, I beat myself up all day long," she says. "Filming a movie was draining in such a di fferent way. Every day I woke up and was on some sort of adrenaline rush—I always felt high." After the film wrapped, Carano had a hard time coming down. "I got home after this incredible, life-changing experience, and had to think about who I was," she says. "I knew I had to go back to fighting." MMA enthusiasts, you’ve got Soderbergh to thank: Carano will reenter the ring on June 18.
Gina has been cleared to fight
Amending earlier tweet re: Gina's non-clearance per "doctors." Just spoke with Texas commish, and they said she was cleared to fight.
Gina Carano shows off here moves in the bedroom. (More pics inside)
Gina's Haywire trailer
Gina Carano beats up Ewan McGregor
Robert Downey Jr. celebrates Condit's victory
The boys from Sherlock Holmes were in attendance at UFC 120 this past Saturday, taking in a few fights while enjoying a break from the production of their upcoming sequel. No doubt there was some friendly, posturing going on between the three superstars, as Robert Downey Jr. is the only American in the group, while Jude Law and Guy Ritchie are both very, very British.
At one point, during the first round of the co-main event between Dan Hardy and Carlos Condit, the patriotic divide between the three entertainers appeared to reach it’s breaking point. Late in the round, right after Condit landed a punishing left hook that dropped his British opponent, RDJ is seen leaping from his seat and celebrating the American’s victory in the middle of a stunned O2 arena.
Then, as referee Dan Miragliotta is jumping in to stop the fight, we see Downey Jr. look down at (the still seated) Law and Ritchie with a big ol’ American grin on his face.
Sadly, we weren’t able to see the (what we could only imagine to be) looks of horror on the faces of the other two, as one of their fellow countrymen laid sprawled out on the canvass.
over 1 year ago
MMAGuard
38 comments
11 recs
Gina's new movie gets good reviews
Steven Soderbergh's Haywire (formerly Knockout), a spy thriller starring mixed martial arts champion Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Antonio Banderas and Bill Paxton, was research-screened last night at the Arclight Sherman Oaks, with Soderbergh in attendance. A guy I know and trust was there, and has shared some positive impressions.
"Mallory Kane (Carano) is young, tough, beautiful, determined, and a freelance covert operative. She is hired out by her handler, Kenneth (McGregor), to various global entities, to perform jobs which governments can't authorize and heads of state would rather not know about.
"For all her looks and youth, Mallory is still the best in her field, and her skills are in constant demand. But when one of her operations goes awry, Mallory needs to use all her skills, tricks and abilities to escape an international manhunt, make it back to the United States, protect her family, and exact revenge on those that have betrayed her.
"The associations that came to mind were (a) any Bourne movie, (b) any Mission Impossible movie, (c) Taken, (d) Michael Clayton, (e) Wanted, (f) Panic Room, (g) Obsessed, (h) The Informant, (i) Body Of Lies, (j) Edge Of Darkness and (k) Red Eye.
"First and foremost for me were the strong parallels to The Girlfriend Experience. There are lots of closeups of our female lead, who's no actress but whose skills in her field probably make her more interesting than a star in the role. And there's an almost complete lack of affect on her part, and yet, for me, a lot of engagement in her situation.
"Another GE current, unlike most big thrillers, is Soderbergh's focus on the nuts and bolts of the situation. This is what creates and sustains the drama -- how does one get out of, or in to, situations like these? For me 'reality' is much more interesting than movie fiction.
"The fights are great. I've been in, and have personally choreographed, a lot of staged violence, and this was quality stuff. It does my heart good to see a young woman really kick ass. The brutality and desperation of the fights, in fact, at times seemed to appall more than thrill the audience, which is as it should be. As I write this (i.e., the following morning) I'm still thrilled."
The screenplay is by Soderbergh's Limey collaborator Lem Dobbs. The Lionsgate film is reportedly slated for a January 2011 release.
almost 2 years ago
MMAGuard
7 comments
1 recs
MMA superheroes
Coker discussing Kimbo and Daley
Coker currently says he has no interest in Kimbo or Daley and that Fedor comes with a high price tag.
Mayweather vs. Mosley PPV numbers are in and they don't look pretty.
Strikeforce: Los Angeles poster
- Robbie Lawler vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller
- Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. TBA
- Bobby Lashley vs. TBA
- K.J. Noons vs. TBA
A special pre-sale ticket purchase opportunity for the event will take place for "STRIKEFORCE Insider" e-newsletter subscribers from 10 a.m. PT tomorrow/Thursday, April 29, until 10 p.m. PT on Friday, April 30.
This Fan Shot was promoted to the front page by Nick Thomas.
Frankie's friend celebrate after hearing the official announcement. (even they thought 50-45 was bad)
This Fan Shot was promoted to the front page by Nick Thomas.
UFC 112: Invincible coverage
about 2 years ago
MMAGuard
35 comments
10 recs
Is the UFC popular in Abu Dhabi?
Shane Carwin talks about why he never quit his job
No the job is not about the money. I made more at UFC 111 (sponsor, bonus etc) then any of my fights combined. My sponsor dollars alone were bigger then my annual salary at my job. It is not about the money, Dana offered me an insane amount of money to quit my job last year. When I was coming out of college I had a lot of agents telling me they were going to make my dreams come true. Were talking more money then I may ever make. Then the phones just went silent. Not long after that my first wife left. It was me, a shit degree that kept me on the football field and my son. My mom had told me this day could come and that all we really own in life are the opportunities and examples we create for those around us. She was a single mom who raised three boys and she never complained. Here I was just having a kid, playing in the Sr. Bowl and wrestling and I was unhappy with my choices. I decided then that I would get my Engineering degrees and pursue that career and make sure I raised my son with the same set of values my mom had instilled in us. That a real man puts his families needs above his pursuits, that a real member of society holds down a job and contributes. Millions of dollars or the hopes of that kind of money will never make me take to focus off of setting an example for my kids, an example that they can strive for. Not everyone will play for the NFL or fight for the UFC but everyone can contribute to society and give a little back. I want my kids to know me as their father who worked hard enough to find time to live his dream instead of a guy who chased a dream while putting his life on hold. The UFC pays me well, my manager is doing things I could have only dreamed possible, and I have no need to work other then I like that Kamden knows me as his father who works for the water district.
about 2 years ago
MMAGuard
6 comments
3 recs
Kelly Kobold Looking to Make a Comeback
by MMAGuard on Feb 24, 2010 8:01 AM EST
on Bloody Elbow
http://www.mmahq.com/blog/2010/02/23/kelly-kobold-looking-to-make-a-comeback/
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Kobold vs. Carano
It’s been over 16 months since Kelly Kobold has stepped into the cage, and she’s still ranked in 5th place in the Unified Women’s Rankings in the 145 lb. Featherweight division. This is partially due to the lack of depth in that weight class, and partially due to Kobold’s stunning record.
Kobold holds 16 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. This includes 8 submissions, 6 KO/TKOs and 2 unanimous decision victories, In fact, she was undefeated in her first five years of fighting. Although Kobold admitted herself that she "fought some cupcakes," she holds notable wins over AJ Jenkins and Shayna Baszler. Kobold’s fighting style is vicious: quick, technical and tough–with relentless ground and pound.
Coming off of 16 months of inactivity isn’t easy for anyone, however, and Kobold also lost her last three fights to Tara LaRosa (18-1), Julie Kedzie (13-8) and Gina Carano (7-1). However, this isn’t to say that Kobold didn’t put up a hell of a fight. In her bout with Gina, she actually spent much of the fight bullying Carano against the cage. She got a takedown at the end of the second round, but couldn’t capitalize on it. Although she ate a ton of punches and definitely lost the match fair and square, Kobold was the strongest competition we’d seen take on Gina on TV up to that point. Going to the fourth round with Tara LaRosa (who, along with Megumi Fujii, many consider to be the top pound-for-pound female fighter in the world) is no easy feat.
Kobold will be facing opponent Jessica Kinnetz this Friday. Although Kinnetz is listed as 1-2 on several websites, she fights primarily in Iowa–a state that is notoriously bad at tracking fights. Rumor has it that Kinnetz has five or six wins, and this includes a win over Megan Engleen by rear naked choke in August ‘09.
Although Kinnetz isn’t exactly a top contender, working out some ring rust and getting some more wins under her belt will help set Kobold up for continued success, especially if Strikeforce ever actually has the 145-lb. tournament they’ve been talking about. Stay tuned for a full fight recap early next week.
Epic Beard man is down for a rematch in Strikeforce. It's around the 4:00 mark, no joke.
over 2 years ago
MMAGuard
11 comments
2 recs
Sarah Kaufman gets ready to wage war for the Strikeforce 135 belt
by MMAGuard on Feb 19, 2010 10:14 AM EST
on Bloody Elbow
From MMARising.com
http://www.mmarising.com/interviews/2010/02/19/exclusive-interview-with-sarah-kaufman/
Canada’s top female mixed martial artist, Sarah Kaufman, has come a long way in the past two years and has no plans to slow down. She will put her undefeated 10-0 record on the line in seven days when she faces Japanese standout Takayo Hashi at Strikeforce Challengers 6 on February 26th.
The renowned striker recently received her purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and will look to capture her second major women’s MMA title against Hashi. Always a welcome guest, Sarah once again takes time to speak exclusively with MMARising.com as she prepares for her biggest fight to date.
Sarah Kaufman is one of the top female fighters in mixed martial arts. She was the first and only Hardcore Championship Fighting Women’s Bantamweight Champion and is currently ranked as the number one female bantamweight fighter in the world. In her fourth interview with MMARising.com, Sarah discusses her preparations for her upcoming Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight (135-Pound) Championship bout on February 26th.
MMARising.com: Thank you for once again taking time out to speak with us, Sarah. To start off, can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to since we last saw you competing in Strikeforce in June?
Sarah Kaufman: I have mostly been training. I went down to New Mexico for a few days to hang out and train with Greg Jackson and Julie Kedzie; we went on an AMAZING hike in Chaco Canyon! I also got a puppy named Rhino, who is now 4 months old.
MMARising.com: Following your back-to-back wins over Miesha Tate and Shayna Baszler, there was talk of you competing for a title. You will finally have a chance to do so when you meet Takayo Hashi at Strikeforce Challengers 6 on February 26th. Has the lengthy layoff been frustrating at all or have you taken it in stride as Strikeforce continues to develop its women’s division?
Sarah: It’s always frustrating to not know when or how often I will get to fight; however, it is part of the fight game…and I think I am starting to get used to it (even though I would prefer not to).
MMARising.com: The Strikeforce 135-pound title bout with Hashi will be your third appearance on a Challengers card, but some have questioned why such an important title fight is not a part of a larger Showtime event. Does that bother you at all, given that the 145-pound title bout between Gina Carano and Cristiane Santos headlined a major Strikeforce card, or do you feel that a victory here will ensure your spot on the bigger cards in the future?
Sarah: I am just a fighter, and really I just do what I am told. It would definitely be nice to move off of the Challengers cards, and hopefully a good win on February 26th will do just that.
MMARising.com: Those who are just now becoming more familiar with your career may not know that you have already held a major women’s title – the Hardcore Championship Fighting Women’s Bantamweight Championship – and have been the number one-ranked female fighter in Canada since 2007. What would it mean for you to capture the Strikeforce title and solidify your place as the top female bantamweight in the sport?
Sarah: I try not to think about rankings too much, as they are subjective and I always hope to fight better than my last fight – whether I am ranked number one or 47. I feel very honoured that I am considered number one, and winning the Strikeforce title would definitely aid in making me believe that I should be up there.
Adam Zugec, Mauro Ranallo, Sarah Kaufman and Stephen Quadros.
MMARising.com: Hashi is primarily known for her ground skills and she holds notable wins over Hitomi Akano and Amanda Buckner. You are no stranger to facing talented submission fighters and you had to survive an early scare in your fight with Shayna Baszler. What threats do you feel that Hashi will pose and has takedown defence been a primary part of your training in recent weeks?
Sarah: I always try to work on both my takedowns and my takedown defence – especially since many fighters try to get me to the ground. Training for the Hashi fight has been no different. Based on Hashi’s camp and her fight record, it is likely that she will attempt to take the fight to the ground, and I am prepared for whatever she brings to the cage.
MMARising.com: Without giving your strategy away, what can fans expect to see from you in the fight with Hashi?
Sarah: I hope for an exciting fight with an equally exciting finish. I would like to try to finish the fight with strikes – on the feet or on the ground.
MMARising.com: You’re known as one of the top strikers in the division and Baszler has gone so far as to say that you hit harder than anyone else that she has faced. That is a major compliment given that she has been in the cage with Strikeforce Women’s Lightweight Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos. What are your thoughts when other fighters speak highly of your skills and do you feel that your boxing continues to improve with each fight?
Sarah: I appreciate the compliments that I receive from other fighters, but I am truly my harshest critic. I train all year-round in hopes that, in every fight, each specific aspect of my game improves. I believe that my coach, Adam Zugec, and my team at ZUMA Martial Arts really allow me to grow with each fight camp – and my opponents allow me to grow with each fight.
MMARising.com: Strikeforce has adopted unconventional names for its women’s divisions and titles and you will be battling Hashi for the “Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Championship.” Do you pay much attention to the promotion’s choices in names or are you focused solely on your performance inside the cage?
Sarah: Haha…I really don’t mind what Strikeforce calls the fight. I am there to make weight at 135 pounds and then fight for 5 five-minute rounds.
MMARising.com: Women’s tournaments have been a central theme so far in 2010. Freestyle Cage Fighting held the first round of their inaugural 135-pound tournament on January 30th and Strikeforce is currently planning for its own tournament in April. Who are some other stars and future contenders in the division that you would like to face in the future?
Sarah: I honestly don’t care who I get to fight as long as I’m fighting. The 135-pound division is littered with amazing athletes and it would be an honour to fight all of them.
MMARising.com: You are a prominent supporter of other female fighters in the division and you have frequently promoted and brought attention to women’s fights and fighters. How important is it to you to maintain the camaraderie among the division as women’s MMA continues to grow?
Sarah: MMA is a professional sport, and we (females) are professional athletes. I am friends or at least friendly acquaintances with nearly every opponent I have faced, and I couldn’t be happier about it. If I can use resources such as my website (SarahKaufman.ca) to help advance the sport for females, then I will gladly do so.
MMARising.com: As you mentioned, you train at one of the top camps in Canada – Zugec Ultimate Martial Arts (ZUMA) in Victoria – alongside your coach Adam Zugec. He has stated that he is enjoying making your life miserable in training so that you will be angry when you step into the cage on the 26th. Will fans finally see a scowl on your face or will you be entering the fight with your trademark beaming smile?
Sarah: I actually told Shayna Baszler that I was going to be serious coming down to the cage for my last fight – and we know that didn’t happen, LOL. I’m sure this fight will be no different. 
MMARising.com: Former top-ranked bantamweight Tara LaRosa vacated her spot atop the division when she dropped down to 125 pounds, but she has stated her intentions to return to 135 in the future to face you. What are your thoughts on a showdown with LaRosa and how do you feel that your style would match up with hers should the fight ever take place?
Sarah: I think that would be a great fight and a great matchup for me if that fight were to ever happen in the future!
MMARising.com: What are some goals of yours for the coming year and where do you see yourself 12 months from now?
Sarah: I would LOVE to be able to fight 4 (or even 5) times this year…but I don’t know if that is too realistic based on my last couple of years. Whatever happens, I just want to keep fighting and improving…and I would like to win the Strikeforce 135-Pound Title on February 26th!
MMARising.com: For newer fans to the sport, what would you most like them to know about Sarah Kaufman?
Sarah: I wasn’t naturally good at Muay Thai, or grappling or wrestling when I first started; therefore, if MMA is a passion that you can’t ignore, and you feel like you have soooo far to go, don’t worry. There is hope for everyone as long as the commitment and dedication is present. Also, fighting is fun…if it ever becomes a job, I will have to retire.
MMARising.com: Do you have any final comments or shout-outs to fans, family or sponsors?
Sarah: Just a huge thank you to everyone who helps to promote females in the sport of MMA. My coach, Adam Zugec, is the best in the world and I would be nowhere without his support. Also, thank you to my strength and conditioning coach, Tyler Goodale, my team at ZUMA Martial Arts, Taking Care of Business (TCB), Performance MMA and Clinch.
Finally, if anyone would like to keep up to date with me, check out my website, SarahKaufman.ca, follow me on Twitter (@mmasarah) or look me up on Facebook.
MMARising.com: Thank you again for taking part in this interview and we wish you all the best for your title fight on February 26th.
Sarah: It is my pleasure, and thank you for all of the work you do in promoting females in the sport.
MMARising.com sincerely thanks Sarah for once again taking time out from training for this interview. We look forward to her Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Championship bout on February 26th.
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Gina Carano running from the police in the movie Knockout (2011)
This Fan Shot was promoted to the front page by Nick Thomas.
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