While UFC 106 was the focal point of mixed martial arts action this weekend, Strikeforce did manage to promote a smaller event at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas on Friday night that featured Missouri wrestling standout Tyron Woodley, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante, Team Punishment-product Aaron Rosa, and a laundry list of local talent hoping to make their impression on Scott Coker for future shows. While Tyron Woodley easily coasted to a submission victory over Rudy Bears in the main event, the women's 135 lbs. match-up between Kim "Sugar Free" Couture and Kerry Vera was a bout that gave a relatively unknown fighter in women's MMA a chance to shine.
Vera's extensive background in Taekwondo, boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai gave her the abilities to make a smooth transition to MMA, a move that was spawned by her determination to find new challenges. Her husband, current UFC fighter Brandon Vera, is also in her corner with an impressive background in the sport, but she also trains with Lloyd Irvin in her ground game along with honing her boxing at City Boxing in the past.
So, what's with all the hype? Why would someone try to compare her to Gina Carano? Carano's rise to the top not only focused on her skills in the cage, but it also relied on her good looks and ability to win. Vera, while still green with only two professional fights, could become that type of fighter. Like Carano, she comes from a background in fighting and is a natural athlete, and those attributes will only further the talk that she could become a legitimate threat in Strikeforce's 135 lb. weight division.
Strikeforce did the perfect job in piggy-backing UFC 105's advertising for Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera by pitting Randy's former wife against Brandon's wife only a week later. While it probably didn't add insane numbers to the broadcast, those who did tune in were treated to one of the most lopsided beatdowns we've seen all year in any striking war.
Vera's quick hands, speedy footwork, and ability to intelligently mix strikes completely crushed a slow, plodding Couture who showed nearly no improvement in her striking. Couture's gameplan, like her ex-husband's, was to nullify Vera's speed and clinch for takedowns, but Vera's Muay Thai experience and strength easily allowed her to do damage while defending and moving away from those situations. Mauro Ranallo tried to sell us on the fact that Couture wasn't involved in the fight for her name, but that's a hard fact to swallow after such a lopsided knockout victory for Kerry Vera.
While challenging Vera in the cage will be one of the major selling points for her in the future, Coker will more than likely try to get her involved in media appearances as another woman who is attractive, but has the ability to fight. It isn't a bad move either. Carano, Cyborg, and Coenen all sit toward the top of the heap in the 145 lb. women's division, but Strikeforce has yet to truly develop their 135 lb. weight class. Vera is a perfect entry into the mix, and she would also be a perfect combatant in the rumored 135 lb. tournament to determine an eventual champion. And as the broadcast team mentioned following her win over Couture, a bout with Sarah Kaufman would be pure fireworks. Make it happen, Strikeforce.