It’s January and in Southern California a mixed martial arts event has just ended. The spectators leaving the arena are in delight as they had just witnessed one of the most dominant and dangerous ghters in the world defend their title for a fourth straight time. The champ ended the challengers quest for the throne as they often do: with a vicious rst round knockout. However it is not a King who sits on top of the throne, but rather, a Queen.
This event that was attended by a sold out crowd, and known around the country as “Invicta FC 15.” An all female mixed martial arts promotion. The fans went to witness Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino defend her featherweight belt. She had not lost an MMA fight in 10 years and is considered one of the baddest women on the planet.
And as the prize fighter leapt onto the side of the cage to greet her roaring fans, her opponent lay on the ground bloody and unconscious. I took a moment to look around and couldn’t help but think to myselfthat I was watching one of the most unique examples of women’s equality there is today.
MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, in a world where women are incomprehensibly still chasing equality in almost every industry. Sports is one that stands out, mostly becuase of it’s stage. Women’s soccer catches the eyes of the world but it only becomes true spectacle every four years, the rest of the time the athletes train, play lower leagues for fun, etc. Women’s tennis is very viable but, once again, we have our William’s and our Radwanska’s and our Mirza’s. The few hold the roost for the rest. And WNBA? Getta outta here. The freakin’ LPGA? FUGGET about it.
UFC is the biggest promotion out there, and their biggest star is a woman. And WMMA itself is still very young. In fact, only a few years ago the fights were very raw. Athletes would train part time while hanging on to a day-job during the day. Often, it was just a way to get into shape. Now they are full time professional athletes.
WMMA is still not perfect, and there is lots of room to grow. Fighter pay is often not equal and promotions often push the more attractive fighters such as Ronda Rousey and Paige Vanzant above other equally skilled fighters that might not have the delicate-yet-indesctructible cheeks.
Still quite a ways to go. But, WMMA IS the future. Not just of sport, but of culture. Women kick a$$, they always have, but now they do it literally. And the world is watching.
