Carano vs. Cyborg

(Well look at Strikeforce trying to harness the power of the Internet. Who do they think they are, Bellator? Video courtesy of shosports.)

During her stint in EliteXC, Gina Carano was paid far less than her value to the company. It's good to see that's not the case in Strikeforce — though unfortunately, money doesn't guarantee victories. MMA Mania passes along the disclosed salary figures for all the fighters who competed at "Carano vs. Cyborg," with Carano and Renato Sobral leading the pack. The numbers are below...

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos: $25,000 (includes $5,000 win bonus)
Gina Carano: $125,000

Gegard Mousasi: $2,000* (no win bonus)
Renato Sobral: $75,000

Gilbert Melendez: $50,000 (no win bonus)
Mitsuhiro Ishida: $30,000

Fabricio Werdum: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
Mike Kyle: $14,000

(Photo courtesy of Sherdog.)

According to MMA Fanhouse, WEC featherweight prospect Cole Province has tested positive for the designer anabolic steroid Methasterone, following his unanimous decision win over Fredson Paixao at WEC 42:

The 28-year-old Oklahoma native is the fourth MMA fighter to test positive for steroids this year — following Kirill Sidelnikov, Ken Shamrock, and Josh Barnett — but just the first fighter to piss dirty in Nevada since Kit Cope in January 2007. Province only made six grand for his recent win, and will likely be giving up a sizable chunk of it to the NSAC. We'll update the definitive timeline as soon as we learn more about Province's punishment and response.

Related: All fighters who competed at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg tested clean for "drugs of abuse." Results from steroid tests will come back in three to four weeks.

(For lots more Carano vs. Cyborg weigh-in pics, hit up CombatLifestyle and flickr.com/photos/shosports)

(Props: MMA Fanhouse)

The face of women's MMA was in fine form at yesterday's weigh-ins — which is unsurprising, considering Scott Coker was weighing her every day. We'll be liveblogging the Showtime broadcast of "Carano vs. Cyborg" tonight starting at 10:30 p.m. ET, so swing by and let us know what you think. After the jump: The ultra-slick show-opening video for Carano vs. Cyborg. Deal with it, Gladiator.

(In the edited-for cable version, Lesnar says "I'm gonna drink a [Bud] Light because Bud Light [is the best], and I might even [do something special for] my wife tonight.")

The first stage in Dana White's plan to destroy Strikeforce and piss on their ashes comes this Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/PT, as Spike will air highlights from UFC 100. The replay card will look like this:

Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir
Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping
Alan Belcher vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Stephan Bonnar vs. Mark Coleman
Shannon Gugerty vs. Matt Grice
Jon Jones vs. Jake O’Brien

(Props: Mad Xyientist)

While cruising MMAMoneyline earlier today, I was rather surprised to see Gilbert Melendez as a solid favorite to beat Mitsuhiro Ishida in their Strikeforce interim lightweight title fight on Saturday. After all, Ishida defeated Melendez by decision at Yarennoka! less than two years ago. It was a very close match — and maybe the decision could have gone the other way if it didn't take place in Ishida's home country — but Melendez never really put Ishida in serious danger at any point in the fight (expect for when he slammed Ishida on his head, at the 4:12 mark above), nor could he find many answers for the Endless Fighter's grappling; Ishida's aggressive wrestling and nonstop pace was absolutely Guida-esque. On the other hand, they'll be on Melendez's home turf for the rematch, and Ishida is coming off a nasty TKO loss to Mizuto Hirota. It's a pick 'em, and the winner will take on Josh Thomson...someday. Part one of their first meeting is above, and part two is after the jump.