Carano Charms at ESPYS
Loretta Hunt Jul 19, 2009
I think we’re all still recuperating from the blitzkrieg that was
UFC 100, but rest of the sports world moved on effortlessly with
ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards, which was held in grand red-carpet
fashion last Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Moving among the Kobe Bryants, Terrell Owens, and Williams sisters of the world, Gina Carano managed to stand out on a couple of scorecards (and another with Dan Henderson.)
This was on the heels of a well attended media day for Carano and
opponent Cristiane
"Cyborg" Santos at Madison Square Garden in New York City (The
ladies barely conquered
that backdrop) to rally the troops for Aug. 15’s Strikeforce
event in San Jose, Calif.
I got a little flack for my prediction that Carano will single-handedly corral in more media attention than UFC 100 when all is said and done. After surveying the devastation UFC 100 left in its path, I have to admit I’m a little nervous, but we still have 28 critical days to go. To quote Kimbo Slice on his recent Ultimate Fighter hotel stay and imminent TV airing: “It should be interesting.”
As for the awards, Filipino boxing tsunami Manny Pacquiao KOed UFC champs Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva in the “Best Fighter” category. Past nominees have also included Georges St. Pierre, as well as Randy Couture and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson –- who simultaneously got the first nods ever for the sport in 2007 when the “Best Boxer” category was expanded to include the cagey characters.
Nominations now seem at least a given, but who will be the first from MMA to brawl his way to the coveted podium? My money is on St. Pierre or even -- take a deep breath -- Brock Lesnar.
Moving among the Kobe Bryants, Terrell Owens, and Williams sisters of the world, Gina Carano managed to stand out on a couple of scorecards (and another with Dan Henderson.)
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I got a little flack for my prediction that Carano will single-handedly corral in more media attention than UFC 100 when all is said and done. After surveying the devastation UFC 100 left in its path, I have to admit I’m a little nervous, but we still have 28 critical days to go. To quote Kimbo Slice on his recent Ultimate Fighter hotel stay and imminent TV airing: “It should be interesting.”
As for the awards, Filipino boxing tsunami Manny Pacquiao KOed UFC champs Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva in the “Best Fighter” category. Past nominees have also included Georges St. Pierre, as well as Randy Couture and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson –- who simultaneously got the first nods ever for the sport in 2007 when the “Best Boxer” category was expanded to include the cagey characters.
Nominations now seem at least a given, but who will be the first from MMA to brawl his way to the coveted podium? My money is on St. Pierre or even -- take a deep breath -- Brock Lesnar.
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