(Note to self: Don't fuck with Cyborg when she's on the rag. Photo courtesy of Sherdog.)
Just in case you've forgotten about the Cris Cyborg weight-fiasco at Saturday's Strikeforce show, Josh Barnett has taken to his MySpace blog to remind you that we shouldn't let Santos slide so easily (props to FightOpinion for the tip):
With the menstrual cycle excuse firmly in hand and an unwillingness to do any more than bare minimum, Chris Cyborg stepped on that scale Friday with no intention of making weight I assume. I heard blame on a scale at a gym they used, the period (as explained to me by saying, "Blood" in a Portuguese accent and making a whooshing effect with his hands from the crotch area.), and the fact that Gremlins didn't enter the picture is surprising.
It would be one thing if Hitomi had cut too but this issue is compounded by the fact that she gained weight to make this fight already, accepting she would be out sized....but accepting it from a weight of 146, not 150lbs. By the time any deals were made, Cyborg hit a scale at 1 am and was 158lbs. This was post pizza, which we saw her eat after just making weight enough to close the gap in weight difference which the commission needed just to even allow a fight to happen. She had until 8pm to cut. She could have worked to insure a bout by trying to make 146 as was agreed. But she did just enough and hoped we would accept the fight. They wouldn't reject a fight this big and on TV of things...of course not!
Hitomi did at first and I supported her in doing so. But when she decided to fight anyways, I had to support that as well. By the time Hitomi had agreed to fight there had been many attempts to make the fight happen and her mind had not changed. Each time Shannon [Hooper], [Akano's manager] Shu [Hirata] and I would present the offer and let her know, any choice she makes is OK by us. Each time she said no. When 2 am rolled around and Cyborg's camp was A-OK with anything that didn't involve cutting any weight and the deal was lofty...Hitomi eventually agreed. I don't think money or anything like that was what changed her mind though. Hitomi and [
Abe Ani Combat Club teammate] Megumi [Fujii] talked things over and the decision was made.
The fight went on and we all deeply hoped Hitomi would make cyborg pay in the cage. In the end the weight difference was much too much. Hitomi lacked the size and strength to effectively use her techniques and I believe that that is the main and deciding reason why Cyborg won that fight. Cyborg was gassed half-way through the 2nd and if she had had to make 146, I think she would have fainted from lack of 02..or maybe cramps would have been the excuse.
Her victory is hollow and her turning a blind eye to her lack of professionalism is deplorable. Never once was an apology uttered. Never once did I see one act of accountability. I don't know how to say it in Portuguese but, Cyborg is deserving of no respect and no praise. If you were ever a fan, I'd find someone of better character and better heart.
Part of me wishes Akano would have stuck to her guns and refused to fight, just to create a precedent. For Santos, losing 20% of her salary is not a big enough consequence for her epically poor planning, especially when Akano was already giving up one weight class. I realize that it's physiologically harder for women to cut weight — but that only means Cyborg can't walk around way over her contracted weight like male fighters do. Just because Thiago Alves can do it, doesn't mean you can. Otherwise, this embarassing "woman problems" excuse could strike her down at any time. Maybe Carano vs. Cyborg should be an open-weight bout so we don't have to worry about this crap anymore.
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Comments
Anonymous Says:
1st !!!
Dana White is a HOMO Says:
I hope Gina smashes her!
BPC Says:
I too feel like Akano should have not participated in the fight. While I do understand that it is different for a woman to cut weight than a man, this really is no excuse since she obviously agreed to fight at that weight.
In the case of Thiago Alves he notified the UFC as soon as hew knew he would not be able to make weight (3-4 days prior to the weigh-ins).
At this point I could really care less about a Gina Carrano vs Cyborg MMA match, perhaps they should both compete in a kruler eating contest at Dunkin' Donuts.
Check out mmaforreal.com - another great MMA blog Says:
Note to self: Don't fuck with Cyborg when she's on the rag
lmao
Fuck a he-she!
Jugger Says:
Both of MMA's biggest stars, Carano and Cyborg, constantly have to renegotiate deals at the last minute due to weight cutting. How long before promoters start encouraging these women to fight closer to their walking-around weight? It's beyond ridiculous at this point.
If they want to be taken seriously, it would help if THEY took the sport seriously. I watched the video of Cyborg's weigh in and, as Barnett alluded to, she seemed unapologetic. A shrug and a smile were all she could offer... for missing weight by almost 10 pounds!!!
Carano and Cyborg need to fight at a catch weight they can both easily make.
Since 96 Says:
I really hope that Akano made of like a bandit from those late night negotiations. And like posted above, I wish she would have stuck to her guns completely and not walked in that cage with that behemoth. As Pat said, it's a disgrace to you as a fighter and to your coach for missing weight by that much. Should Carano v Cyborg happen, I'd love to see Cyborg handed her ass in under 2 minutes.
WarpedAcorn Says:
I thought the standard paycut for missing weight was 50% of your purse to the opponent?
xocgx Says:
I imagine that the period cycle DOES make a difference of some lbs, but missing by 10...then eating pizza is deplorable.
Eric Says:
I'd like to see some statistics on sanctioned womens' fights and see how many times a fighter came in over weight. One person's gender-sweeping excuse isn't valid if she is the only instance of it. Seeing that picture where Santos is sheepishly giving the half smile "I fucked up" face at the weigh ins is enough for me to disrespect her until she gives me a reason not to.
Wyatt Says:
I'm starting to notice that Brazilian fight camps are very unapologetic about missing weight...
raspberrymight Says:
how unprofessional and disrespectful can you get? also blaming a period is pretty low too, its not like she's never experienced one before, altho looking at her physique, I would hazard a guess that she's sacrificed her period for her muscles many a time...steroids eh? I guess the equivalent would be a male fighter being a few pounds over because he forgot to take a massive dump before the weigh-in. Shame on you cyborg, you hear me woman?
pls don't hurt me
Farthammer Says:
Yeah, not making weight is totally bullshit. Steroids? Naw, they're cool.
toolverine Says:
I agree with Barnett. I was at the show and was hoping that flying armbar would take. I hope that Strikeforce brings back Akano with an opponent closer to her weight.
My Fight Wiffa Cheeto Says:
I originally had thought that Cyborg would crush "Crush." But after seeing her piss poor performance against an opponent 20 lbs lighter and 5 inches shorter I hope Gina walks through her and doesn't damage her pretty face in the process. I hope she fugs up Cyborg's face a little more though.
Yet, still, seeing women fight is still unnatural to me and agree with Dana when he says it doesn't belong in UFC.
Fred Says:
Cyborg is a complete joke, and in case anyone doesn't remember it; Gina Carano has repeatedly failed to make weight, too. What's interesting is that it's the unprofessional women like Cyborg and Carano who are getting all the attention in women's MMA, and the women who actually fight regularly and MAKE WEIGHT each time barely get noticed.
I wouldn't pay a red cent to see Cyborg vs. Carano. They are both clowns and should be featured in WWE instead of MMA.
Cathyllover Says:
Funny i will uploaded this to tall dating site ___Tallmingle.com___ to share with my best friends,especially the hot models.
Ruger Says:
"the period (as explained to me by saying, "Blood" in a Portuguese accent and making a whooshing effect with his hands from the crotch area.)"
Hahahaha
Maud Says:
I agree what Cyborg did was bullshit. But she still would have dominated the other girl, regardless of weight. She is in an entirely different league.
This is getting close to a bjpenn greasegate situation, and hopefully mothers do not get involved in the near future.
i <3 pizza.
Jay Smith Says:
First of all, @ Cathyllover
Get the hell off this site with that bullshit!
Second of all,
I can only think of the names of about 2 or 3 female fighters. They are just not relevant, and don't belong in this sport in my (and Danas) opinion. This womens liberations movement has gone waaaaaaaaay to freakin far. What happened to the good ol days when you could just hit em in the head with a big wooden club, drag em in a cave, get em pregnant, and they only raised the kids and never spoke?
Ample Says:
Mr. Barnett couldnt have put it any better.
NIGHTRIDER Says:
To those of you who are hoping that Gina smashes her, I must say that Gina is the same. She has missed weight time and time again even when EliteXC created a weight class for her. Both of these women are deplorable and deserve no praise.
band23 Says:
cyborgs period produces as much blood as caranos nose will when they fight
LockDown Says:
I'm wondering why Barnett didn't write an article about Carano?
Such an hypocrite.
Cyborgs roommate Says:
Well first of all... Barnett is a douche bag, and to be honest Gina is going to get smashed on... My camp will make sure of that (and im not talking Chute Boxe)... As for the weight problem goes, she talks about it everyday and is not happy about how things went down, she's now maintaining 160lbs instead of her usual 165lbs. So trust me she'll make weight.
JamesVan Says:
@ Since 96
The FIGHT! Network crawler says Akano got an extra $20,000 for taking the fight.
NIGHTRIDER Says:
@Lockdown
Wow you're a dumbass. The reason why he wrote an article about Cyborg was because Akano is one of his fighters. She fights out of his gym. Before you make baseless accusations, how about doing basic research? Imbecile.
emo sux Says:
Until Cyborg faces some real competition like a Sean Sherk, or a Nick Diaz, i will continue to say she is overrated...
Bojangles Says:
I think Cyborg would lose to Kaitlin Young, and i think Carano would light her up
LockDown Says:
@ Nightrider
So what? What he has to do with her, if she fights out of his gym but he can't change a thing? It's up to her and her manager to fight or not. Barnett should worry only about not running away from Fedor and not talking shit about Kenny Florian or Cyborg. It sounds very weird to diss people lighter than you.
And you are... ?? Barnett cocksucker.
johnnymack Says:
This seems to be another case of women wanting to be on equal footing with men and to be taken seriously in a male dominated sport and then turning around and wanting exceptions to be made for them because of their gender. Cyborg, Carano...most of these "fighters" don't belong in the sport. If you want the same respect male athletes get then don't make exuses for yourselves because you have a twat.
Truth2Pwr Says:
I say that Strikeforce should put on an ol'skool UFC 1 style tournament for the 8 best female fighters out there. No weight class, no rounds, minimal rules (no biting, eye gouging, fish hooking, or strikes to Cyborg's testicles) just winner moves on, walks away with a belt, and be done with all them bitches and hoes until same time next year.
NIGHTRIDER Says:
@Lockdown
Wow, didn't think you'd respond. Barnett is a personal friend of hers and trains with her everyday. WHY can't he have an opinion of the situation? You stupid cunt; stop trying to control people. I actually don't like Barnett but he has every right to address the situation. Everything you have just said is irrelevant. Sit in the corner.
Anonymous Says:
Carano is a joke too..... MMA will never have the respect that boxing does, when they operate like this.
Look at Carano.... the biggest female MMA star.... has she EVER made weight?.... and don't count when she did the weigh-in strip tease and magically drpped 2.5 lbs by taking off her panties and bra......
I like watching the fights just as much as any other guy but have no respect for either of them as "proffessionals"
That goes right along with other shinanigans like Brock Lesnar being offered a title shot on his 3rd fight... and The Greatest UFC fighter ever, being a guy who is 10-0......
Let's see one of these bitches (or both at the same time) fight Lucia Rijker.... then we'll see who's a badass
Anonymous Says:
Yeah - 'cause we've NEVER seen any of the boy fighters not make weight. They're all perfect and so great, why...they actually come in BELOW weight just to be courteous!
Wait - that sounds like some of the same type of bu**sh*t everyone else on this forum is spouting. Damn...it's catchy.