Gina Carano, the face of women's mixed martial arts, bashed in the face of Kelly Kobold tonight, winning an entertaining decision on tonight's EliteXC: Heat card. Carano landed the first strike of the fight with an overhand right just seconds into the first round. After that Kobold moved to the inside and the first round didn't see a lot of action, but Carano did open up a cut on Kobold's face and clearly won the round.
The second round was closer, with both fighters landing some strikes, Carano starting to use her feet and knees, and Kobold landing a takedown in the closing seconds.
In the third round Carano established her dominance, attempting a submission with a standing rear-naked choke and landing multiple kicks to Kobold's head. Although Carano wasn't able to finish, it was clear by the end that she would win the decision.
The judges scored 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.
"I feel good," Carano said afterward. "I feel like I was just in a fight. That's the best feeling."
Carano indicated after the fight that she expects to fight Cris Cyborg (who won a fight on tonight's undercard) next. Carano vs. Cyborg would be the biggest fight in the history of women's MMA.
Carano improved her pro MMA record to 7-0. Kobold fell to 16-3-1; she is now on a three-fight losing streak.
Other EliteXC results:
Gina Carano beats Kelly Kobold by unanimous decision.
Andrei Arlovski knocks out Roy Nelson.
Jake Shields submits Paul Daley.
For more coverage of EliteXC: Heat, head to Showtime's site.
EliteXCs Wild Night of Fights
Seth Petruzelli celebrates after beating Kimbo Slice by TKO in 14 seconds at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Seth Petruzelli punches Kimbo Slice by TKO in 14 seconds at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Seth Petruzelli punches Kimbo Slice by TKO in 14 seconds at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Seth Petruzelli punches Kimbo Slice by TKO in 14 seconds at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Andrei Arlovski celebrates after beating Roy Nelson at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Andrei Arlovski knees Roy Nelson at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Andrei Arlovski punches Roy Nelson at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Andrei Arlovski punches Roy Nelson at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Roy Nelson punches Andrei Arlovski at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Gina Carano celebrates after beating Kelly Kobold at 'EliteXC: Heat' on Saturday, October 4, 2008, hosted at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Tom Casino, CBS-SHOWTIME
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gina looked really good in this fight. Kobald proved to be a tough opponent, and Gina didn't back down an inch.
I must admit though, I really hope they don't put Gina in there with Cyborg. I don't want to see Gina's pretty face all busted up and bleeding. Against Cyborg win or lose she would likely end up in pretty bad shape.
Gina has been the faster handed and heavier striker in all of her previous fights ... that won't be the case against Cyborg.
Gina has face better strikers then Cris Cyborg back in her Muay Thai day's so I wouldn't worry about Gina getting messed up.
Cris Cyborg has little main fighting skills and that will be her downfall.
Gina will win by a KO!
This isn't a Muay Thai fight ... if you read my post you know that I didn't say that Gina would lose. Anyone who has seen Cyborgs fights knows that she is more intense, faster, stronger, and better conditioned.
If you heard the post fight interview with Gina you can tell that she wasn't eager to call out Cyborg or even to say how excited she would be to get that fight.
I like Gina as an MMA star and a fighter, but I don't think she is ready for a Cyborg fight.
Its only a matter of time before Jake Shields gets manhandled. He got very lucky in this fight because Daley had no ground skills. Shields better enjoy that belt while he can because his reign will be over real soon. Gina Looked like she didn't train at all for this fight. She better start working out if she is going to take on Cyborg because against Kobold she knew she was going to win this without training. But I don't think Elite XC is going to pit these two together just yet since Kimbo was knocked out with a jab. How pathetic and just like a hood rat Kimbo is, he conned everybody into thinkin he could hang when he got knocked down with a simple jab. Real sad. If Affliction and Elite XC could combine forces forever, it would be great competition against the UFC. Affliction has the Heavyweights and Elite has the women. I feel its a combination that could work.
i hope she does playboy!!
Kimbo Slice-internet wonder turned chump. Finally ran into someone to catch that glass chin of Kimbo's, covered by that beard. From 3-0 to 3-1 and worlds away from his hype. Back to street fighting, KS.
Cyborg would destroy Gina!! Its the truth!!
i freaking love gina.she has a big good looking pitbull with a spiked collar.
shes a little crazy.i love her wild self.and she likes fighting better than.....a hell of a woman.i would love to meet her.
Gina is the hottest looking girl around. Beautiful smile, and all around sexy. By the way, she can fight. I don't think she should fight that cyborg girl. She looks and fights like a monster. That girl comes from the streets, and she looks to kill you. Gina, please don't mess up that pretty face. My prediction, Cyborg beats my girl up.