(C-Verse) Women's Featherweight Tournament

[Jaded]

I wanted to try something using WMMA 2 but I can't cope with a dynasty so thought I'd use the quick match tool to try a tournament.

 

The 16 best women (in terms of reputation) who can fight at 140 lbs are included. Seeding is done by reputation, with performance as a tie breaker.

 

All matches fought under standard 'quick match' rules - 3 x 5 mins in a cage, strikes to downed opponents legal, closing guard legal, elbow strikes to head legal, knee strikes to head/stomps on opponent on ground ILLEGAL.

 

FIRST ROUND

 

 

Sarah Vaughan (11-1) vs Naora Kikuchi (5-0)

 

The Arizona Animal is the top seed, and in many people's eyes the favourite to win the tournament. Vaughan has a background in judo and wrestling that's close to unparalleled in women's MMA today and her great work ethic and resilience mean she's a tough prospect for anyone to handle. But if there's someone who CAN go against her, it may be the Japanese Buzzsaw. Rookie Kikuchi is unbeaten in five MMA bouts so far in her short career and if she can get into a clinch her Muay Thai may prove too deadly for the American to cope with. That said, smart money's still on SV.

 

 

Phoebe Bergman (9-3) vs Maja Ukraden (9-2-1)

 

Two of the elder stateswomen of MMA collide here in an interesting fight. The Serbian Ukraden's forehead tattoo and bizarre hairstyle make her instantly recognisable but she's never been taken seriously as a top fighter due to her overreliance on powerful hands. Bergman, while her background is in wrestling, is a slightly better all rounder but doesn't do anything particularly well. The most predictable thing about this one is that whoever wins doesn't seem to stand much of a chance against Vaughan or Kikuchi in round 2.

 

 

Chiyo Yanagimoto (8-1) vs Janinha (6-0)

 

In the complete opposite of the previous fight, we have two younger fighters here - both 28 - who are making a name for themselves as exciting to watch and hard to beat. Kickboxer Yanagimoto is a great striker whose long arms and legs usually cause major problems for opponents, but her Brazilian opponent stands 6'2 and has some devastating kicks in her arsenal. This could be the closest, and most exciting, fight of the entire first round.

 

 

Samantha Sachs (5-0) vs Alison Beattie (6-1)

 

From two of the tallest women in the sport to two of the shortest, Australian judoka Sachs is a slow but steady competitor who's unbeaten in her first five bouts. However, opponent Alison Beattie has taken on a far higher level of competition and will be heavy favourite here thanks to the Dirty Angel's reputation for vicious feet. If Beattie can dive in and out the number 4 seed should take this one, but if Sachs manages to get her to the ground she could be in real trouble.

 

 

Karen Curtis (7-1) vs Emma Birch (7-4)

 

Incredibly experienced considering she's still just 26, number 3 seed Karen Curtis may be one of the main challengers to Sarah Vaughan's hopes of winning this tourney. With a dual background in judo and wrestling, her submission skills are rightly feared and she's got great stamina. 30 year old wrestler Birch is also known for her excellent cardio, but in her case it's pretty much all she's known for - she's very vulnerable to both strikes and submissions and a victory here would be a massive upset.

 

 

Kerry Silverman (8-4) vs April Watson (5-0)

 

The heavily tattooed brawler Silverman bills herself as 'Too Hot For Hell' but she's been stopped by 4 of her first 12 opponents in MMA, mainly due to being easy to takedown and very vulnerable to submissions. She's also prone to inconsistency, and while her fights are almost always exciting, that's sometimes because she's clearly outclassed from the start and ends up submitting quickly. April Watson is a completely different proposition. Despite being just the number 6 seed in this tourney, she's possibly America's best known MMA fighter and hasn't ever looked in trouble in her first five matches. She's lethal when she gets into a clinch, thanks to her Muay Thai background, and her main weakness is poor wrestling ability - not something that's likely to matter against Silverman. Lock of the round, without a doubt.

 

 

Mizuki Watanabe (7-0) vs Maggie Martin (7-4)

 

If Watson is the face of MMA in America, Mizuki Watanabe is quickly rising to that position over in Japan. The She-Wolf is a tenacious judoka who can get you down quickly and make you tap when you're on the floor. While she's known for her quiet demeanour out of the cage, she'll be confident of getting past the 31 year old wrestler Double M, who's surely considering herself lucky to have been chosen for this prestigious tournament.

 

 

Henrietta Stein (7-2) vs Vicki Summers (11-1)

 

Norwegian kick-boxer Stein calls herself the Hell Cat, and she's a fiery competitor with some great strikes in her arsenal. Against many people she'd stand a good chance of advancing - but you'd have to think the Heartbreaker isn't one of them. Despite being one of the tournament's oldest competitors at 32, Vicki Summers is the number 2 seed and a strong favourite to at least reach the final. She's consistent, has a great work ethic, and while her background's in MMA wrestling, she's one of the best all-rounders in the sport today.

 

 

Predictions for first round welcome! Aiming to post results in 48 hours or so.

[BHK1978]

<p><strong>Sarah Vaughan</strong> (11-1) vs Naora Kikuchi (5-0)</p><p> </p><p>

Phoebe Bergman (9-3) vs <strong>Maja Ukraden </strong>(9-2-1)</p><p> </p><p>

Chiyo Yanagimoto (8-1) vs <strong>Janinha</strong> (6-0)</p><p> </p><p>

Samantha Sachs (5-0) vs <strong>Alison Beattie </strong>(6-1)</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Karen Curtis </strong>(7-1) vs Emma Birch (7-4)</p><p> </p><p>

Kerry Silverman (8-4) vs <strong>April Watson </strong>(5-0)</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Mizuki Watanabe</strong> (7-0) vs Maggie Martin (7-4)</p><p> </p><p>

Henrietta Stein (7-2) vs <strong>Vicki Summers </strong>(11-1)</p>

[Jaded]

<p>Thanks for predictions, BHK!</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Sarah Vaughan (11-1) vs Naora Kikuchi (5-0)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

Vaughan starts off with a quick takedown attempt but can't get it, and the two both dodge each other's punches. Stepping close, they end in a clinch with Sarah taking control and pushing Naora against the cage. Some dirty boxing does a little damage, and it's clearly the American in charge of this one, although she can't take her down for a minute or so. Once she does get Kikuchi to the ground she fires off some punches which are easily blocked as the Buzzsaw waits for the bell. </p><p> </p><p>

In round 2 Vaughan manages to get the takedown much more quickly and unloads with some big punches, but a butterfly guard sees Kikuchi push her back and scramble, only for Vaughan to dive back in and get to side control before moving to a mount. Armbar's sunk in... and Kikuchi has to tap out!</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Great</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Phoebe Bergman (9-3) vs Maja Ukraden (9-2-1)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

Bergman dives in early only to rush straight into a massive punch from the Warrior, who steps back to allow her to get up. Not learning her lesson, Phoebe charges again, but is put flat on her back once more by Maja's fist, and this time Ukraden dives in. Bergman gets to half guard and then manages to sweep her opponent, getting into a mount - only for time to run out.</p><p> </p><p>

Round two starts with a bunch of jabs been thrown by both competitors but easily blocked, until Ukraden manages to land a hard right hand to stun Bergman and a second to take her clean off her feet. Again, she lets Phoebe stand, then just dodges for the minute or so remaining of the round, obviously confident she's ahead in the judges's scorecards.</p><p> </p><p>

Bergman spends the entire of round 3 desperately trying to land something - anything - on Ukraden, who simply keeps out of the way, landing a couple of punches herself when Bergman gets overenthusiastic. The bout grounds to a halt with all judges awarding it to the European fighter 30-27.</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Decent</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Chiyo Yanagimoto (8-1) vs Janinha (6-0)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

The pair get in close and grapple quickly, and Janinha grabs Chiyo in a Muay Thai clinch. Vicious knee to the cheek - and Yanagimoto's knocked out! </p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Great</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Samantha Sachs (5-0) vs Alison Beattie (6-1)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

First round sees both fighters try to land some jabs, neither with much success, although you'd have to say that Beattie looks marginally ahead.</p><p> </p><p>

Second round Sachs tries a couple of takedowns, but can't get anything, Beattie sidestepping and dodging.</p><p> </p><p>

Third round Sachs goes for another takedown but gets hit by a big punch; however she recovers to smother Beattie agaisnt the cage then eventually take the Dirty Angel down. Time runs out, however, and it's an unanimous 29-28 decision in favour of Beattie.</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Good</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Karen Curtis (7-1) vs Emma Birch (7-4)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

First round sees weak jabbing from both women, with neither really able to get an advantage, although number 3 seed Curtis probably shades it if anything. Second round is fairly similar, although this one's almost certainly Karen's. Third round sees Curtis get Birch against the cage and eventually manage a takedown just before time runs out. Judges all score it 30-27 Curtis.</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Very Poor</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Kerry Silverman (8-4) vs April Watson (5-0)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

Silverman is aggressive right from the start, forcing Watson against the cage, but the Blonde Bombshell manages to turn things around and use some dirty boxing to punish Kerry. The pair switch places twice more, with the referee eventually stepping in to separate them. Round comes to a close, and if anything the huge underdog Silverman may have just taken it - although she does look rather tired. </p><p> </p><p>

Second round sees the pair forget about grappling and just exchange strikes, with both women landing some strong jabs, although Watson looks to be getting the better of it.</p><p> </p><p>

By round three, Silverman is clearly gassed, and as she goes for a big punch gets hit by a kick to the thigh. Watson dances out of the way and throws some more punches as the clock winds down - and gets it by unanimous decision, 30-27 from each judge.</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Average</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Mizuki Watanabe (7-0) vs Maggie Martin (7-4)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

This is even more one-sided than expected - Mizuki effortlessly takes her opponent down, and within 2 minutes has an americana locked on, forcing Martin to tap out.</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Great</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Henrietta Stein (7-2) vs Vicki Summers (11-1)</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

Nearly as quick as the previous match, Summers drops Stein quickly with a takedown, gets a mount, and unloads with powerful punches. The referee steps in quickly, and the number 2 seed marches on.</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rating: Great</em></p>

[Jaded]

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>SECOND ROUND</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Sarah Vaughan (12-1) vs Maja Ukraden (10-2-1)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Top seed Vaughan managed an impressive submission victory over Naora Kikuchi in round 1, while Maja Ukraden ground out a distinctly less impressive win against Phoebe Bergman. Vaughan will be confident of making it to the semis here.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Janinha (7-0) vs Alison Beattie (7-1)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

While many observers were expecting the Brazilian to give a good account of herself against the number 5 seed Chiyo Yanagimoto, few thought she'd control the match so completely, getting the quick victory with a knock-out knee. As the only woman outside the top 8 seeds to advance, Janinha will be the underdog in this tournament - but after her first round performance you'd be crazy to discount her completely. Beattie struggled somewhat getting past Samantha Sachs, edging a decision victory with 3 scores of 29-28. Could this be another upset?</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Karen Curtis (8-1) vs April Watson (6-0)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Number 3 seed Curtis looked unimpressive as she and Emma Birch fought to a near standstill in the tournament's worst match so far, while Watson got a decision victory over Kerry Silverman in another fairly poor bout. These two may feel they have something to prove - let's hope for the fans' sake they put on more of a show.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Mizuki Watanabe (8-0) vs Vicki Summers (12-1)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

In complete contrast to the previous pairing, Watanabe and Summers had perhaps the two best victories of the first round, each taking out skilled opponents in less than two minutes. Both have a lot of momentum behind them, and after seeing Curtis and Watson struggle must really like their chances of making it to the final.</p>