In a good demonstration of why combat sports have weight classes, Cristiane "Cris Cyborg" Santos out-muscled her much smaller opponent, Hitomi Akano, in a Strikeforce MMA fight Saturday night in San Jose.
Cyborg threw Akano around the cage for the first two rounds, then used her superior stand-up skills to pummel Akano in the third, before the referee mercifully stepped in and stopped the fight. It was a third-round TKO win that wasn't the least bit impressive when you consider that Cyborg weighed in at a ridiculous 152 pounds, seven pounds over the agreed-upon limit. Cyborg had a huge size advantage, and it's impressive that Akano lasted into the third round.
"It's the first and the last time this is happening because she had, like, a girl problem," Cyborg's translator said afterward of her inability to make weight. "She will never do that again."
Strikeforce is expected to match Cyborg with Gina Carano later this year. Let's hope they set the weight limit at around 170 pounds.
Strikeforce Photos
Frank Shamrock, center, is helped by his corner after losing to Nick Diaz in a Strikeforce mixed martial arts fight on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. Diaz won by knockout in the second round.
Jeff Chiu, AP
Nick Diaz makes his way to the cage at the Strikeforce show on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif.
Tom Casino, Strikeforce
Frank Shamrock punches Nick Diaz during their match at the Strikeforce show on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif.
Tom Casino, Strikeforce
Nick Diaz grapples with Frank Shamrock during their match at the Strikeforce show on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif.
Tom Casino, Strikeforce
Nick Diaz, right, kicks Frank Shamrock in a Strikeforce mixed martial arts fight on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. Diaz won by knockout in the second round.
Jeff Chiu, AP
Nick Diaz, top, punches Frank Shamrock during a Strikeforce mixed martial arts fight on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. Diaz won by knockout in the second round.
Jeff Chiu, AP
Nick Diaz punches Frank Shamrock during their match in the Strikeforce show on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif.
Tom Casino, Strikeforce
Nick Diaz, top, punches Frank Shamrock in a Strikeforce mixed martial arts event on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. Diaz won by knockout in the second round.
Jeff Chiu, AP
Nick Diaz punches Frank Shamrock during their match at the Strikeforce show on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif.
Tom Casino, Strikeforce
Actor Mickey Rourke holds up his phone before Nick Diaz faced Frank Shamrock in a Strikeforce mixed martial arts event on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in San Jose, Calif.
Jeff Chiu, AP
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