The Future of Women's MMA is Now

Women's MMA has come a long way and still needs to evolve but the future is now.  The very first title fight under the Zuffa banner will take place tonight at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, IL.  Miesha Tate (top) will challenge Strikeforce welterweight champion Marloes Coenen (bottom) on the co-main event for the belt and Julie Kedzie will take on Alex Davis on the preliminary card.  If you enjoy women's MMA then let it be known and spread the word.  A great start is to tweet @danawhite your opinion.  Don't miss this historic event whether live like us or on Showtime tonight!

Fighter Babe Sarah "TNT" McLeod Back in the Cage Tomorrow

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with up and coming MMA fighter Sarah “TNT” McLeod. Sarah is an amateur fighter fighting out of Omaha, Nebraska who will return to the cage tomorrow at Victory Fighting Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In addition to being an MMA fighter this Vancouver native is also a bikini competitor and student. Check out what Sarah had to say in our interview below.

How did you get involved in MMA and how long have you been training?

-I was training in the weight room every day and I decided that MMA would be a great mental and physical challenge for me. I took my first MMA fight with 12 days’ notice and no training in any discipline. My training in 2010 consisted of weightlifting and cardio at my local weight room in Vancouver Canada. In January 2011, I moved to Omaha Nebraska to join my first MMA gym at Mid-America Martial Arts. This was my first time training in all disciplines and really getting my butt kicked!

Where are you currently training, and what's a typical training week like for you?

-I train out of Mid-America Martial Arts in Omaha Nebraska. I also have a strength and conditioning Coach Bret Carter, from Endless Possibilities Training Systems. I train at Mid-America 3 nights out of the week, and I see Bret for 3 mornings each week. Unfortunately this is all that my school schedule is allowing me to train as I have 4-7 hours of school, 5 days/week. After summer semester I will return to training 5 days/week, both morning and night.

Tell us about your upcoming fight, who you are fighting and where?

-I will be fighting Heather Lambert from New Hampshire in a 115lbs amateur bout on JULY 30. Heather has a record of 3-0 and I think she will be my toughest challenge yet. The fight is for Victory Fighting Championships at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

What is your best experience as a fighter? What is your worst?

-I love growing as a fighter and every challenge that I face at training or in the ring pushes me to become a stronger person. The hardest part is finding time to manage school, training and fights. School is very important to me but I believe I was born to fight, so I find a way to make it happen.

What advice would you give to other women who are reading this interview and want to get started in MMA?

-Set a goal and make it happen! Join a gym and learn to push yourself past any physical or mental barriers. MMA, to me, is all about becoming a stronger person, and testing your will against an opponent is an incredible challenge.

What are some of the hurdles that you think Women in MMA need to overcome before Women's MMA will be considered a top level sport like Men's MMA is today?

-I believe that we are getting more and more opportunities to showcase our talent, and it’s only a matter of time before we become more recognized in the sport.

What or who are your inspirations in MMA and life?

-My inspirations in both MMA and life are my coaches, my teammates, my friends and family. These people inspire me every day and their positive energy pushes me to excel in everything that I do.

Who are your favorite MMA fighters?

-My favorite female fighters are Meisha Tate, Zoila Frausto, and Jessica Eye.

How do you enjoy your free time when not training or fighting? Any hobbies?

-If I’m not training, I’m in school, or I’m studying. School keeps me very busy, and just like MMA, I enjoy the mental challenge that it provides me with. Call me a nerd, but it is what it is, and I love it!!

Are you single?

-Always.

What do you look for in a guy?

-A mullet.

What are your turn-ons?

-Mullets.

Any future plans or dreams?

-I take everything as it comes, and right now I am 100% focused on school and fighting. My dreams are endless, but in everything I do, I hope to set a positive example for everyone to use their potential and be the best person that they can be.

Any shout outs you would like to make?

-Thank-you to all of my coaches and teammates from Mid-America Martial Arts; my strength and conditioning coach, Bret Carter from Endless Possibilities Training Systems; Ryan Stoddard from Relentless Management; my friends and family, and everyone that gives me positive energy and encouragement.

Thank you for your time Sarah and we will be cheering you onto victory tomorrow. For more information on Sarah's fight tomorrow check out Victory Fighter and be sure to visit her Facebook page.

Meet MMA Babe Breanna Armstrong

We recently connected with MMA babe Breanna Armstrong. Breanna is a 22 year old combat sports journalist and business owner who calls San Clemente, CA and Kailua-Kona, HI home. She has been published in Ultimate MMA Magazine, UltimateMMAMag.com, The Press-Enterprise Newspaper, MMASpot.net, Muay Thaimes Magazine, MuayThaimes.com, El Tiempo Magazine and KoastKombat.com. Keep reading to find out more about this MMA babe.

How did you get into the world of MMA?

-I went to college in California’s Inland Empire. In the “IE” there is a Martial Arts gym on every corner and everyone is either training to be a professional fighter or wants to be one. I saw that our newspaper did not cover this sport, so one day in the middle of my cheerleading season, I started covering local fighters and eventually I became a freelance writer for The Press-Enterprise Newspaper. I made Combat Sports journalism my full-time job while going to College and being on my University’s cheerleading team. From there I broke into print media and was able to intern for the magazine that I now contribute to: Ultimate MMA Magazine.

What has been your favorite interview so far?

-I have a few favorites! My first big interview was with Bas Rutten back in 2009, for Ultimate MMA Magazine. I was so nervous and the shoot was at his house. When my photographer and I arrived, Bas and his wife made us feel at home. It was a great interview and I was laughing for a majority of it. Another favorite was my interview with Vitor Belfort last year for MMASpot.net. He was just inspiring and it was the day after Anderson Silva defeated Demian Maia at UFC 112. There was a lot of hype that came with that article and it is still one of my favorites to this day.

Tell us about Koast Kombat and how it was started.

-I grew up in Orange County, Calif., and in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. I have a huge heart for Hawaii MMA, so I started Koast Kombat. My company’s goal is to link the Hawaii MMA scene with the Mainland MMA scene. I created a fighter exchange program that will allow fighters from Hawaii to train and fight on the Mainland to further their careers. Our program offers the same for fighters on the Mainland as well. Koast Kombat manages fighters, models, ring announcers, hosts and commentators. We are currently sponsoring Chris Cisneros, who is from Hilo, and he is one of the best fighters in Hawaii right now. KoastKombat.com is also a news site that covers Muay Thai and other Industry events. We just launched in February and we already have received so much support already.

Who are your favorite MMA fighters?

-One of my favorite MMA fighters would have to be Jon “Bones” Jones. He is an absolute inspiration in our industry and is a positive example to all. He is a great athlete and glorifies God in all that he does. Another favorite is my buddy Travis “Hapa” Browne, I nearly had a heart attack when he KO’d Struve at UFC 130. He’s a great person and fighter.

Who are your favorite Muay Thai fighters?

-My favorite Muay Thai fighters are Romie Adanza and Kevin Ross. Both fighters have raised the bar in their weight classes. It’s a privilege to see them fight every time they step in the ring.

What are some of the hurdles that you think Women in MMA need to overcome before Women's MMA will be considered a top level sport like Men's MMA is today?

-I have seen Women’s MMA grow so much in the past few years; I think that it is a top level sport whether it is for Men or Women. In my opinion, a major hurdle would be integrating WMMA into the UFC. This will eventually happen someday when there are enough female fighters to stack the weight divisions.

When do you think we will see women’s divisions in the UFC?

-Hopefully in the next few years, as this sport continues to grow.

What or who are your inspirations in MMA and life?

-Every one that I have interviewed in this industry inspires me. Their passion for this sport is what fuels my passion to write about it. Also my Dad inspires my life everyday. He is my rock and I am who I am because of him and my family.

What is something most people don't know about you?

-My Job! A lot of people do not know what I do, and are shocked when they learn of it.

How do you enjoy your free time, any hobbies?

-I love dancing, painting, golfing, Muay Thai, writing, going to the beach and hanging out with friends.

What would you say is your best feature?

-My best feature is probably my blue eyes.

Any future plans or dreams?

-I have so many plans and dreams, but my biggest dream is to follow through with God’s plan that He has in mind for me. Because my plans are nothing compared to the plans that He has for me.

Any special shout outs?

-I want to thank God for all of the opportunities that He has given me at a young age. Thank you for all the interviews; whether it is right after you get out of the cage or at your gym, I so appreciate every interview. Thanks Babes of MMA for featuring me, I love what you are doing for the sport and appreciate your support. Thanks to my amazing family and friends for putting up with my crazy career choice! I love you all. And finally thanks to the readers and fans! Follow me on Twitter! @BreArmstrong

Thanks for your time Breanna and really look forward to meeting you in person one day soon. Until then keep up all the great work with your journalism and website!

July 2011 Aspiring MMA Babe of the Month - Danielle Marie

Our July 2011 aspiring MMA babe of the month is Danielle Marie who hails from Toronto, ON Canada.  This stunner is 5'4", 120 lbs., measures 34-26-34 and says her booty is her best feature.  Danielle currently works as an assembler of the Lexus RX 350, a promo model for "Got Ass", pole and belly dancer, part of foxy boxing and a model.  A jack of all trades she is a master networker if you need a model or promoter.  Danielle lives by the motto to live life to the fullest and regret nothing.  She plans to continue her successful career in fitness and promo modeling.  Her dream is to help those in need.  In her spare time she enjoys traveling, decorating, shopping, scrapbooking, snowboarding, playing squash, working out, Muay Thai, pole and belly dancing, playing Xbox, watching UFC and of course modeling.  Her turn-on's include tallness, thick chest, sexy smile, genuine eyes, brains, cockiness, alpha types and cologne.  Her turnoffs are smoking, skinniness, fake people, liars, coming on too strong and short guys.  Danielle's favorite MMA fighters are Mauricio Rua and Wanderlei Silva.  Keep your eye open in the MMA world for Danielle.

Stephanie Ann Cook's Sexy Photo Shoot for Babes of MMA

A few months ago we had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot with the sexy Stephanie Ann Cook.  We made you wait long enough so enjoy the beautiful images above and the rest on our Facebook album.  Say hello to Stephanie on Facebook and on Twitter @StephannC.  Grab your official Babes of MMA gear here.  Thank you again Stephanie!

Shock N' Awe 8 Ring Babes

This past Saturday Shock N' Awe 8 took place in the UK which included our friends and lovely ring girls Alex Boldry and Poppy Thompson.

Sunday Funday with Corissa Furr in Washington DC

For those in the Washington DC area head over to Eden Nightclub tonight for Sunday Funday hosted by MMA ring babe and model Corissa Furr.

Gina Carano - Haywire Official Movie Trailer

The movie trailer for Gina Carano's movie Haywire was released to the public at Comic-Con yesterday and looks pretty good.  Now we just need Gina back in the MMA cage.

Strikeforce Voelker vs. Bowling 3 Babes

Strikeforce Voelker vs. Bowling 3 takes place tonight at The Palms in Las Vegas, NV and also live on Showtime at 11 PM ET.  In addition to the Strikeforce ring babes you will also get to see two of the top women's fighters Sarah Kaufman and Liz Carmouche square off on the main card.  For more pictures from the weigh-ins click here.

New Sexiness from Andy Nguyen

MMA fighter and model Andy Nguyen recently connected with photographer Jim Fey for some sexy shots as seen above.  On August 6th Andy will be in a grappling tournament and from there she will begin training for her next MMA fight.