By: Alex Tejada, EBC Sports International, Las Vegas Bureau
The rise of women’s mixed martial arts (WMMA) can be witnessed by the global fan base and following that increases more and more each day. WMMA is on top of its game and many are tuning in to catch the latest champions and contenders within their weight class.
Why is WMMA so successful? One can argue the reasons why they follow a particular fighter, but they can’t argue that these women put in the same – and in some cases more – training, dedication and passion than their male counterparts. WMMA continues to establish their place and has been headlining the current main events within the most famous MMA promotional companies.
In the UFC, the once dominating female Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey, broke barriers by bringing some of the most explosive takedowns and submissions in the bantamweight division. In the straw-weight division, undefeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk (unofficially known as Joanna Violence), brings her Muay Thai and Kickboxing background to deliver an eruptive array of striking that has yet to be contested.
Worth noting WMMA fighters are as follows: Holly “The Preachers Daughter” Holm, who recently scored a knockout victory via head kick over Bethe Correia. Brazilian Claudia “Claudinha” Gadelha, the number one strawweight contender, amateur Cheyanne “War Princess” Vlismas, fighting out of the “Tuff n Uff” circuit and fan favorite Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson.
Witness the talent, the fight and the skills of the WMMA and see for yourself that the traditional look of the MMA has evolved with the female athlete.