One woman stands alone atop women's mixed martial arts. Her name is Gina Carano. Right now, her fame (not her record) has made her the most popular name in women's MMA. On Saturday, at EliteXC's newest CBS event, Kelly Kobald is going to try and knock Carano off that mountain.
At 16-2-1, Kelly Kobald has made a career and name for herself at small venues and smokers (underground shows) around the country. She went undefeated in her first 17 fights, only losing her two most recent to two of the top competitors in women's MMA.
The self-proclaimed "brick shit-house" Kelly Kobald is ready for her shot at glory. "I've worked hard and I think that I've earned this shot," she said in a recent interview at Brunette's Gym in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she trains with Mike Reily and Team Bison.
"I've been at big shows before, so I don't get starstruck. I'm ready."
- B/R Ticket Guide
There is nothing aggressive about Kobald as she is being interviewed. She seems to have a permanent smile and no nerves about the upcoming nationally televised event. But there is something underneath her smile that can only be described as a fighter's mentality. There is a confidence and acceptance of what is coming.
Even though Carano has only had six mixed martial arts fights, Kobald is quick to remind us not to forget "that Gina has a lot of muay thai kickboxing experience, too...but all of her fights have gone to the mat."
A fact that may be her greatest advantage as Carano is a known striker with limited ground skills. "If I could, I'd rather start the fight with her in full mount." For those that aren't familiar with this MMA and BJJ term, it is when an opponent is startling you somewhere between your stomach and your chest.
That's confidence.
Perhaps it comes from experience. Perhaps it comes from training with the heavy handed strikers at Team Bison, such as undefeated and fellow EliteXC fighter Brett "The Grim" Rogers. Perhaps it is foreshadowing.
One thing is for sure, Carano will have a fight on her hands and if Kobald's confidence suggests anything, a black mark on her perfect record.
Kelly Kobald would like to give special thanks to her sponsors: Big Black, Island Supplements, Athletic Performance Institute, Mike Reily and Team Bison, and MMA Overload.
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3 months ago
Ha! I do remember loving Gina Carano and defending her when people put her down, so I know I definitely want her to win this fight. Loved the article b/c it helped me remember part of what I loved about MMA. Thanks Jon!
from 3 months ago
Any time Dorothy!
3 months ago
The only woman capable of beating Gina in my mind is Cristiane Santos. She is a knockout specialist who ends fights quickly. Her only loss was in her pro debut and since then shes been unstoppable. Whereas Kobald has lost her last 2 fights. Cyborg is the only woman in Elite XC capable of knocking Gina off of the mountain. If were going outside of Elite XC then probaly Tara LeRosa or Marloes Chonnen
from 3 months ago
Personally, I have always stuck by the "and fighter can win at any time" idea in MMA, however, there is a lot of talent out there. Personally, if not Kelly, I would put my money on LeRosa.
3 months ago
Sorry, its Marloes Coenan and she is with Elite XC, Just another example of Elite XC keeping there most marketable fighters away from there best talent.
3 months ago
I train with kelly and I can say she is a very game opponent for gina and if it goes to the ground carano will get pounded out or submitted.
3 months ago
Jon, quit trying to make me root for a chick that is quite possibly going to get severely pounded Saturday night.
For the last three Carano fights writers keep profiling the other fighter and picking her to win. I know everyone likes to root for the underdog but I mean Carano is beating chicks with more fights than her almost every time out. She is only the favorite in most fights due to her popularity.
I may not be the best evaluator of talent, but if you can half ass train, not even make weight, make movies, then show up and pound chicks who do this to feed their families, that sounds like natural talent to me.
Getting off my soapbox now, I guess I'll have to root for Kelly to win, even thought that would spoil my Cyborg/Carano dream matchup.
from 3 months ago
Sorry, Bryan, I didn't mean to play with your emotions like that.
I was originally at Team Bison to interview Brett Rogers and Sam Morgan. The head trainer, Mike Reilly told me about Kelly and I sat down with her. She's a tough girl who is used to more than just a stand-up fight. I am really hoping that she doesn't make the mistake that, well, everyone else has made, and try to stand with her.
3 months ago
Carano is the one who usually has trouble making weight, but she's going to be dwarfed in size by Kobald by the time they get in the cage. They have to make the 140 pound mark, but Kobald weighed 160 pounds as of three days ago. She feels like she'll have absolutely no trouble making 140, whereas Gina is probably walking around close to 142-143 right now. She'll finally make weight on her first attempt, but this will also be the first time she's not bigger than her opponent.
That being said, I'm still picking Gina in this fight. She hasn't been distracted with Gladiators this time around and has been able to do nothing but train. She's in the best shape I've ever seen her in and I think she'll beat Kobald handily to set up the fight with Cyborg on PPV in early 2009.
3 months ago
Well, I was wrong about Gina making weight. It took her three attempts to finally hit 141, which is fine with the 1 pound allowance.
from 3 months ago
Don't forget that she didn't even make weight for her last show. Gina seems to live in a different world. Did I forget to mention that, per Gina's demands, the fight is three 3 minute rounds instead of three 5 minute rounds?
from 3 months ago
I believe this is the 4th show in a row where Gina has failed to make weight inside of three tries.
They also created the 140 pound limit for her because she couldn't get to the standard 135 pound limit, and she's yet to make weight on her first try even in the weight class they created exclusively for her.
from 3 months ago
that is totally unprofessional. there is no excuse for her not making weight this time out. I am now 100% rooting for her to lose.
from 3 months ago
Did I miss something? I thought they BOTH weighed in at 141#.
from 3 months ago
Dorothy, they did both weigh in at 141, but it took Gina three tries.
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