Carano vs. Cyborg: A Case Study of Social Change

One of the more interesting juxtapositions of the weekend was the negative reaction coming out of the United Kingdom due to the IOC's decision to admit female boxing into the 2012 games versus the enormous enthusiasm displayed by MMA fans in San Jose for the first female fight title fight that also made history by headlining an event filled with males. 

(For those that didn't read the quote or listen to the BBC segment on the IOC's decision I suggest you listen to it to better understand what kind of negative, borderline sexists, opinions were being thrown around.)

The stark difference between the popular reactions in the two countries in response to these two events was fascinating. In England you had a former member of Parliament coming out against the IOC's decision where as in the United States the IOC decision went by with little publicity. But the Carano vs. Cyborg fight was praised as an historic event. 

The significant interest in Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg flies directly in the face of America's own gender debate in athletics, which centered around Title 9. Title 9 detractors said that actively supporting women's athletics would take away from men's athletics, which are the only sports anyone wants to see. Tell that to the 13,000 plus fans that crowded into the HP Pavilion in San Jose to see Gina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos. The sound and passion that emanated from the crowd was reminiscent of UFC 68, when Randy Couture knocked down Tim Sylvia. While their fight only lasted one round it was easily one of the most exciting rounds of 2009 in MMA. Gauge the reaction for yourself in this video of the crowd's reaction to Gina Carano's entrance. 

Yet women's MMA may have suffered a set back. Gina Carano the so called "face of female MMA" lost. Does Carano's defeat spell doom for the new sport?

In WKR's own (un-scientific) poll, 23% thought that Gina Carano's loss meant the end of women's MMA. While 69% thought that Carano's loss doesn't mean the death of female MMA. 7% of respondents were unsure. A strong majority of MMA fans that visit this site don't believe that women's MMA was dependent upon Gina Carano.

However, the MMA community is not without resistance towards female MMA. 

There was a fascinating thread that began at Bloodyelbow discussing the perception that female athletics and the harsh economic challenges facing female athletics. But WKR disagrees with this assessment when applied to women's MMA. 

As someone with a sister in the Army I believe their is a powerful demographic of strong women that are attracted to these fighters. That doesn't mean there isn't a strong group of male fans that are equally interested. The classic gender roles of the fifties are a forgotten memory for those under thirty. Long gone are the day's of the eighties where Sigourney Weaver became the first female action star in Aliens. A generation of men and women have grown up seeing women in strong physical roles. Every summer men and women are treated to the next crop of strong, powerful, independent women in action roles. 

Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg coverage

Take another vehicle of social change for example, the Army. The armed services have become almost fully integrated with over 356,000 women serving in the Armed Forces. The only thing that stands in the way is the Army's official policy that women can't serve in combat. But guess what? The Unites States is fighting two asymmetrical wars where there are no front lines. With women serving next to men combating two insurgencies every soldier is a combat soldier. Just ask Jessica Lynch. 

The New York Times did an excellent job describing the reality that women are serving in combat despite official policy. 

While WKR may be reaching in this comparison the fact of the matter is Americans are accepting the combat role their mothers, sisters and daughters play in our national defense. Why shouldn't we accept women in a combat sport then?

Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg coverage