Voting for the 2011 Women’s Mixed Martial Arts Awards has concluded and winners have been crowned in over a dozen categories. With a 4-0 record in 2011 and a significant fan following, Olympic medallist turned MMA star “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey has been named 2011 Female Fighter of the Year.

The past twelve months once again featured a number of excellent women’s bouts and voting was very close for 2011 Fight of the Year. That distinction goes to the back-and-forth battle between Patricia Vidonic and Chelsea Colarelli from BlackEye Promotions 5. A list of all award winners is below.

Read More…

Japan’s top female fighter, Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii, needed a mere 75 seconds to secure victory in her DREAM debut tonight at DREAM: “Genki Desu Ka! 2011” in Saitama, Japan. Fujii submitted Spanish prospect Karla Benitez with an armbar in the first women’s bout in DREAM history.

Fujii has won three straight fights since her contentious Split Decision loss in the finals of the 2010 Bellator 115-pound women’s tournament. The quick victory over Benitez was Fujii’s 19th by submission and she was visibly emotional following the win in her first foray into the DREAM ring.

Read More…

DREAM showcased its annual New Year’s Eve card tonight at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. This year’s event, titled “Genki Desu Ka! 2011,” featured a matchup between former long-time PRIDE Heavyweight Champion “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko and Satoshi Ishii.

In one of three DREAM title bouts, Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki defended his lightweight belt against Satoru Kitaoka, while Hiroyuki “Streetfight Bancho” Takaya put his featherweight title on the line against “Lion” Takeshi Inoue. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for tonight’s DREAM card.

Read More…

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight for UFC 141: “Lesnar vs Overeem.” The promotion’s year-end card was headlined by a heavyweight contender’s bout between former UFC champion Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem.

In the night’s co-feature, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone looked to take a step closer to the UFC Lightweight Championship when he faced TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz, and Jon Fitch faced rising star Johny Hendricks in welterweight action. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for tonight’s UFC card.

Read More…

Three women’s bouts are now in the works for Fight Night Entertainment: “Round 18: Clash at the College” on February 11th in Everett, Washington. Among them is a featured 115-pound matchup between local fan favourite “Slick” Sally Krumdiack and fast-rising star “Little” Patricia Vidonic.

In another women’s bout announced this week, Strikeforce tournament veteran Colleen “The Beautiful Disaster” Schneider faces Ohio’s Marissa “Shorty” Caldwell. Talented striker Michele “Diablita” Gutierrez will also be in action against an opponent to be determined in the coming weeks.

Read More…

Two former champions collide on Friday night when ex-UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar returns to face former Strikeforce and DREAM titleholder Alistair Overeem at UFC 141: “Lesnar vs Overeem.” The event takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The co-main event features a lightweight contender’s bout between rising UFC star Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner Nate Diaz. Elsewhere, Jon Fitch battles fellow wrestler Johny Hendricks at 170 pounds. MMAGirls’ Joanne Spracklen previews Friday’s UFC 141 card.

Read More…

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar returns to the cage for the first time in over 14 months this Friday night at UFC 141: “Lesnar vs Overeem” in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lesnar takes on former Strikeforce and DREAM titleholder Alistair Overeem in the night’s featured main event.

Lesnar has been on the sidelines after a second bout with diverticulitis, but now feels that he is back at full strength and is one win away from a shot at regaining his UFC title. Lesnar spoke with USA Today’s MMAjunkie.com on Tuesday night about his road to recovery and his return bout with Overeem.

Read More…

Former Strikeforce and DREAM Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem makes his long-awaited UFC debut Friday night at UFC 141: “Lesnar vs Overeem” in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Dutch striking sensation faces former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar in the main event on the card.

Overeem’s road to the UFC hasn’t been an easy one and his participation on Friday’s card came into question this month after he missed a pre-fight drug test. He now steps into the Octagon for the first time and spoke with USA Today’s MMAjunkie.com on Tuesday about making his UFC debut.

Read More…