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  Date / Time: 2/9/2009 11:14 PM UTC

  ‘Cyborg’ Signs with Strikeforce; Carano in Talks
  

  Strikeforce stands to inherit the most anticipated female fight of all time.$0$0Cristiane “Cyborg” Santosagreed to a world-exclusive, four-fight deal over the weekend with thepromotion, which landed a multi-year agreement last week to broadcastup to 16 events a year on Showtime, along with an additional four showson CBS.$0$0Santos’ contract was one of 42 fighter agreements the SanJose-based promotion picked up in a limited assets deal with Pro Elitelast week, although the contract was altered “to some extent,” toensure the Chute Boxe fighter became an exclusive commodity forStrikeforce. $0$0As part of the new agreement, Santos will not face Golden Glory’s Marloes Coenen at XMMA 7 “Inferno” on Feb. 27 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.$0$0“Santos will fight on one of our next two cards,” said Mike Afromowitz, Strikeforce’s Director of Communications.$0$0Strikeforce’s next event will be held April 11 at the HP Pavilion inSan Jose, Calif., and will also be broadcast on Showtime. Another showcould follow as early as May.$0$0Santos (6-1) fought two times for Pro Elite in 2008 under itsEliteXC banner. Both were impressive displays of the Brazilian’saggressive striking style and fueled talk that “Cyborg” might walkamong the world’s best. $0$0Gina Carano,who carries an unblemished 7-0 record and anchored two EliteXC“Saturday Night Fights” shows on CBS in 2008 that were watched bymillions, has been named a worthy foil for Santos’ skills. Carano’scontract was also acquired by Strikeforce, although -- like Santos’ --it appears to be undergoing a bit of tweaking too.$0$0“I talked to -- before we did the deal -- the attorneys, andthe attorneys feel we have a strong position to have the contractstransferable,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker told the Sherdog RadioNetwork’s “Beatdown” show on Friday. “To me, it’s very simple; therecould be a legal remedy or there could be a business remedy. I’m allabout creating a business remedy.”$0$0Carano could be considered the crowned jewel of the entireEliteXC collection. The “American Gladiators” star appeared in a Pepsiad alongside Bruce Lee during the Super Bowl and has even drawninterest from UFC President Dana White in recent months, who consideredputting her on a WEC card. $0$0“We’ve invited Gina to fight on the first card, but I can’t confirm yet if she’ll be fighting,” said Afromowitz.$0$0Negotiations between Carano’s management and Strikeforce continue thisweek, presumably to bolster the fighter’s pay purse for future bouts.Carano earned only $25,000 for her victory over Kelly Kobold last October, but has garnered attention the world over as “the face of women’s MMA.”$0$0Afromowitz confirmed that Santos, 23, and Carano, 26, would not meet each other on April 11 even if they both join the card.$0$0Strikeforce will also be a family affair for the chiseled Santos. Her husband, Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, was also signed to the promotion in 2008, but the gritty veteran has yet to fight for them. $0$0“My dream is to fight in the same event and in same night with myhusband Evangelista Cyborg,” said Santos in a statement provided byStrikeforce. “I'm very happy to again fight for the Americans fans.Strikeforce is now number two in the world.”$0$0$0http://sherdog.com/news/news/cyborg-signs-with-strikeforce-carano-in-talks-16130$0$0$0
  • Tags:
  • Gina Carano
  • Chris Cyborg Santos
  • MMA
  • Strikeforce
  • Women MMA fighters
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