Get familiar with the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighters who aren’t just kicking and punching their way into the movies, some impress with their histrionics, too!
In case you didn't know this, MMA or mixed martial arts is a competitive combat sport like no other. There are weight divisions (like boxing or other such sports would have), but a fighter is not limited by the style he/she chooses to follow. Over the years, MMA (or specifically, the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championship) has quickly become a live event entertainment experience that the world looks forward to. By its own definition, the organisation involves "hybrid athletes (who) are required to know various disciplines in order to compete at an elite level in a regulated environment where safety is paramount. UFC athletes are skilled in many forms of martial arts, including karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, sumo and other combat sports."
While other MMA championships exist around the world (Invicta FC, Jewels and Deep in particular), UFC's reach far surpasses them all because of their top ranked fighters. In fact, some of the most active (and attractive) fighters in the women's division are also making a name for themselves in Hollywood.
Here's looking...
RONDA ROUSEY
FILMS: The Expendables 3, Furious 7 and Entourage
The American is an Olympic bronze-medalist.
She's also the former Women’s Bantamweight champion in the UFC.
She was also the first U.S woman to win an Olympic medal in judo (in 2008).
Rousey’s mother, AnnMaria De Mars, became the first American to win the world judo championships in 1984.
UFC boss Dana White admitted recently that Rousey was the biggest star UFC's ever had. She's the first female fighter to be signed on to the UFC.
Rarely do female fighters make it into Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition, but Rousey graced the 2015 installment, growing her legend and fan base.
Singer Demi Lovato has said of her, “Ronda’s stepping out of the mould where she’s saying women can be as strong as men.”
Beyonce has used her famous Do Nothing speech during a concert.
Rousey discovered MMA and was inspired to give it a shot after watching a fight between Gina Carano and Julia Kedzie.
FUN FACT: Rousey is an avid fan of Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z, and also plays the online game, World of Warcraft.
GINA CARANO
FILMS: Deadpool, Fast & Furious 6, Haywire, Extraction, Ring Girls
In school, she excelled at volleyball, softball and basketball, leading her basketball team to a state title.
At 21, Gina began training in Muay Thai.
After years of competitive Muay Thai fighting, Gina was invited to fight in the very first female sanctioned MMA fight ever. She defeated her opponent by a knock out late in the second round.
By 24, she had already conquered much of the competitive MMA world.
Carano lost to Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino in StrikeForce in 2009, the first and only competitive loss of Carano’s career.
Steven Soderbergh gave her a role in Haywire, a couple of weeks later. He said after watching one of her MMA bouts on TV: "I've never seen someone like her fight -- in a cage."
Her Haywire co-stars are all praise for her: Channing Tatum is a huge fan and signed on because she did. Ewan McGregor was taken with how quiet, gentle and thoughtful she was out of the ring. Antonio Banderas found her to be beautiful, natural and real and believes she has a career in front of her. Michael Fassbender, who Gina now considers a mentor, thought her extraordinary and was impressed with her work ethic. Michael Douglas, who topped out the A-list cast, heralded Gina's self-control.
Channing had to be taunted into hitting her. He said of her: ""I hit her and she hit me back twice as hard. Then I didn't want to hit her anymore."
FUN FACT: Her number one movie star crush is on the late Paul Newman.
MIESHA TATE
FILMS: Jabs, Fight Valley (unreleased)
Miesha is an American mixed-martial artist, currently competing in the UFC.
She currently holds the Women’s Bantamweight championship belt, after beating Holly Holm at UFC 196.
Tate also won the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight championship in 2011.
She also has a silver medal in the FILA Grappling Championships.
Miesha has appeared in the award-winning MMA documentary on the sport of mixed- martial arts, Fight Life.
In school, she wrestled on the boys’ team for four years and then won the girls’ state championship in 2005, her senior year of high school.
She appeared on the December 2013 cover of Fitness Gurls magazine, which labeled her “the most beautiful woman in MMA.”
FUN FACT: Her nickname Cupcake comes from her love for the sweet treat.
HOLLY HOLM
FILMS: Fight Valley (unreleased)
Holm wanted to take up wrestling, but her parents wouldn't allow it since there were no girl's teams. She took up kickboxing instead.
She began sparring by 17 and had her first fight when she turned 18.
She is a former professional boxer.
She has won multiple world championships,defending her titles 18 times in three different weight classes.
Ronda Rousey remained undefeated in the UFC, until she faced off with Holly.
She is the former UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion. Her hometown of Albuquerque celebrated her victory over Ronda Rousey with a 20,000 person parade.
In fact, the Albuquerque City Council proclaimed November as Holly Holm month.
Holly Holm is the first person to ever win championships in both boxing and mixed-martial arts.
She is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time in combat sports.
She has already won the Fighter of the Year and the Breakthrough Fighter of the Year awards
Her nickname's The Preacher's Daughter. Her dad preaches at Edgewood Church of Christ in Albuquerque.
FUN FACT: She's a licensed realtor
JULLIANA PEÑA
FILMS: Fight Life
Julliana competes in the Women’s Bantamweight division of the UFC.
She started training at a cardio kickboxing class at the end of October 2008.
She is also trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.
Her nickname is Venezuelan Vixen.
She is the first woman to win the reality show, The Ultimate Fighter 18: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate, beating Jessica Rokoczy in the season finale.
FUN FACT: Was... and still is a waitress.
ON TV, TOO
PAIGE VANZANT
She learnt ballet, jazz, and hip hop dancing for over 13 years.
VanZant was considered a tomboy while growing up, and loved the outdoors.
Her father nicknamed her "12 gauge" because of VanZant's love of shooting and hunting.
She's ranked #8 in the UFC's straweight division.
VanZant typically attacks with aggressive grappling, then seeks to finish the fight with strikes.
She has a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
A participant on Season 22 of Dancing With the stars, she is currently one of the favourites to win.
FUN FACT: She turns 22 next week.
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