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RANKING THE FOUR WOMEN IN THE STRIKEFORCE WOMEN’S WELTERWEIGHT TOURNAMENT

Since the actual tournament brackets for the upcoming Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Tournament will not be announced until after the weigh-in, I decided I would take the time to rank the competitors in order, from who I believe has the best chance to win the tournament to the person I believe has the worst chance to win the tournament.

#1: Carina “Beauty But The Beast” Damm (15-3-0)

Carina Damm was nearly taken out of the tournament due to visa issues, but thankfully, everything was resolved in time. Despite competing in professional MMA for nearly six years, Carina Damm will be making her North American MMA debut at this tournament. Carina Damm has fought top female MMA fighters like Rosi Sexton, Vanessa Porto, Maria Naja and Miku Matsumoto. Carina Damm will be entering the fight riding a ten fight winning streak, which has lasted over three years.

#2: Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano (15-7-0)

Hitomi Akano has fought once in Strikeforce already, suffering a defeat to current Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight Champion Cristiane Santos. Hitomi Akano has primarily fought overseas in Japan, with her upcoming tournament appearance being only her second MMA fight in North America. Hitomi Akana has fought other top female MMA fighters like Debi Purcell, Tara LaRosa, Vanessa Porto, Cristiane Santos and Hiroko Yamanaka. Hitomi Akano has only won a single fight in the last year plus, which was over Miki Morifuji at a Jewels MMA event in July 2009.

#3: Miesha “Takedown” Tate (9-2-0)

Miesha Tate has more Strikeforce experience than any other fighter on the list, defeating Zoila Frausto and Elaina Maxwell, while suffering a lone defeat to current Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion Sarah Kaufman. Miesha Tate also made her professional MMA debut against Jan Finney, who recent challenged Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight Champion Cristiane Santos. Miesha Tate will be entering the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which has lasted over ten months. Miesha Tate is also the only fighter in the tournament who lives in North America, so jet lag will not be effecting her in the tournament.

#4: Maiju Kujala (4-1-0)

Maiju Kujala is easily the least experienced fighter entering the tournament, with only eleven months of professional MMA experience. Maiju Kujala recently won a four woman tournament in the Upcoming Glory promotion, defeating Akvile Vitkauskaite and Titiana Van Polanen. Maiju Kujala will be making her North American MMA debut in this fight, as she has primarily competed overseas in Japan. Maiju Kujala will be entering the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which has lasted just under six months.

(Note: I will be providing live coverage of Strikeforce Challengers 10 on Friday Night August 13th at 11pm. EST., right here on PWInsiderXtra.)

You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com

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