PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

The mixed martial arts community is no more unified on their thoughts about women in the sport as the mainstream athletic community is on their overall views of mixed martial arts. This sentiment, however, does not seem to concern women who have devoted their career to the combat sports.

“I do not expect men to embrace women in MMA right away,” says Erin Webb, news editor of Fightergirls.com and a kickboxer with a record of 6-3. “There has always been apprehension in accepting women in any of the male-dominated sports.” 

 h“But fighting isn’t good for anyone to do,” says the co-owner. “I don’t like to see any pretty face bleeding. I am pretty myself, and I do not want my face to bleed, either.”

Still, he acknowledges that women do belong.
  

“Women fight their butts off, and I do love watching them the same as other fights,” he says. “I love Carano, [Tara] LaRosa and [Jennifer] Howe. I have even had a woman’s bouts on my card, and it was great.”   

He says there would have been more, but there are not enough women’s bouts to go around.       

“I welcome more women’s bouts on the XFO shows,” he says. “Women should have a place in MMA.”

 
While there is obviously some acceptance and greater opportunity for women, Webb understands that change does not occur overnight.

“It is going to be a slow change getting the non-supporters to be behind women in MMA,” she says. “My feelings don’t really get hurt by the initial reaction of a lot of men. I want them to be open-minded and accept us in the sport. Women have always had to take extra steps to be accepted in many professions, including sports, and that’s OK.”

Debi Purcell, coach of the IFL’s Condors and MMA fighter (4-1-0), has a simpler outlook on the issue.
“For some men, it [women in MMA] threatens their manhood,” she says.

UGLY STEREOTYPES

Despite the increasing opportunities of women in MMA, stereotyping periodically rears its ugly head.
   

“Sometimes women’s MMA is marketed with sexual undertones,” says Purcell.
 

That, of course, is a major concern for all women, as it not only undermines their quest to fight, it destroys their credibility, which is something they desperately need.
   

Purcell is passionate about equality for women in the sport and will fight for it. Fortunately, she is not alone.

“I plan on keeping great women on the card and as part of our ongoing structure,” says EliteXC’s Shaw. “As we continue to show great women’s bouts and that they can fight, more women will be attracted to the sport. In fact, we are going to open up lighter weight classes soon.“

TOUGH FIGHTERS

   
The battle for female fighters to earn respectability and equality in the sport mimics every other battle women have faced when they begin moving into male-dominated arenas.
   

And when you look in retrospect at some of the obstacles they have encountered throughout the years, one thing always becomes quite clear … they have always accomplished their objectives. And you can bet that MMA will be no different, because, as you should know, women are tough and women are fighters.

The Author: Katalin Rodriguez-Ogren owns POW! Martial Arts in Chicago.
 

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