Gina Carano and Tara LaRosa get it on!

Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall when a couple of girls get to chatting it up on the latest gossip? Well what if those two girls also happened to be two of the top female fighters in mixed martial arts, and one of them was listed as number 16 on the top 100 hottest woman according to Maxim magazine?

 

On a recent episode of Rear Naked Choke Radio with Joe and Ted, you got just that!

 

Joe and Ted, who are known for not just their love of MMA, but also the attention they give female MMA, had Tara LaRossa guest hosting and interviewing Gina Carano this past week.

 

Gina was finishing up a long day of promotion and meetings in Toronto with the soon to be released Round 5 action figure in her likeness. Gina sounded tired and not looking forward to another interview until she was greeted by Tara LaRossa. Right away the energy level shot up and it was two girls catching up.

 

No topics where off limits. Gina and Tara compared notes on pre-fight jitters, weight cutting, and rumors. One rumor Gina would like put to rest is the lesbian rumors concerning Tonya Evinger and the photos that had surfaced on the internet. Tara was there too, though not photographed, and she said it was everyone just joking around having fun.

 

On the topic of fighting, both Gina and Tara felt a fight between the two of them was unlikely. Gina, who is a top contender at 145lbs, feels she has enough challenges in her weight class without having Tara, now fighting at 125lbs, move up to challenge her. Tara was very vocal on how much she was looking forward to seeing Gina fight both Cyborg and Erin Toughill. Tara is also tired of the chatter coming from Erin Toughill, saying “she is all over the underground saying it is so hard (to cut to 145lbs) you don’t want to see me fight depleted…yeah I do, cause I want to see Gina kick your damn ass…”

 

One of the more interesting topics discussed is the 3min rounds versus 5min rounds for professional women’s MMA. Both ladies agreed they wanted 5min rounds. Gina and Tara both feel that the fights are over before they start and they need that time to get going. Tara went so far as to say she has never won a first round due to her slow starts. It came out that Molly Helsel has been working with the CSAC to find out why the rounds are 3min long for women. The conclusion is that the promoters set the round time limits. Tara didn’t want to complain too much, since she is working towards a contract with Strikeforce.

 

The ladies discussed training with Greg Jackson. Tara has made the trip out to New Mexico and was really impressed with “Yoda” as she called him. Gina said she would like to train out there sometime. Gina is happy at Xtreme Couture and is proud to represent her team and Las Vegas.

 

What girl talk would be complete without the mention of boys? Gina is dating but not committed as of yet. She feels love and marriage is one of the most important things in life and is cautious with who gets close to her. She does admit to having an eye for artsy types that she sometimes outweighs. Tara is a fan of 5′9″ and under 155lb wrestler types.

 

There was a lot more covered in the interview including the Maxim shoot, Gina and Tara’s girl crushes, fear of steam rooms, and Tara ripping Miesha Tate for mouthing off about Kim Couture.

For the full interview check out http://www.joeted.com/

Jen Widerstrom featured article

‘American Gladiators’ Making Leap to the Big Screen  Full Article Here

May 12, 2009

Special for Bodybuilding Weekly

The stateside version of the new American Gladiators series is still looking for a home on cable television, but in the meantime it may be seen at a movie theatre near you.

Johnny Ferraro, creator of the “American Gladiators” TV franchise, is bringing a live-action adaptation of the property to the big screen.

The film will be based on the TV show that first aired in 1988 and has been on the air every year except one during the past 20 years. Most recently, NBC aired a primetime installment in 2008. The show has aired in more than 90 countries, with the format adapted for the local market in 14 of them.

Former Legendary Pictures chief marketing officer Scott Mednick is producing “American Gladiators.” The goal is to create an action story that takes place inside the world Ferraro has created.

“I look forward to creating a compelling story that launches a whole new set of characters,” Mednick said.

Development on the film is being funded through Sunset Pictures, with prexy Martin Guigui executive producing “American Gladiators” alongside Ferraro and Joe Allegro.

Ferraro noted “American Gladiators” was originally conceived as a film, but the property “took a detour and became a TV phenomenon.” Mednick, who recently began developing a film installment in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, has producing credits including “300″, “Superman Returns,” and the upcoming “Where the Wild Things Are.”

Roxanne Modafferi—West Fighting in the East

 

Roxanne Modafferi isn’t a household name in the US. She might not even be a household name in Japan, unless you are in her English class. Modafferi pays the bills as one of the world’s top female MMA fighters by teaching English in Japan. She trains at the gym that has produced names like Caol Uno, Yushin Okami and K-Taro Nakamura.

She doesn’t stop there. “In order to expand my horizons as a fighter, this year I’ve started visiting big brother Hiroyuki Abe’s AACC morning class, and have been taking lessons with Former King of Pancrase Kiuma Kunioku. They are both fantastic coaches,” Modafferi said.

Modafferi’s record stands at 13-4. Most of her wins coming by outworking her opponent in a decision. She has only been finished once in a fight, by submission, and has never been knocked out.

Modafferi has always been athletic. Born on September 24, 1982, in Wilmington, Delaware she took up Tae Kwon Do at age 13 and moved on to Kempo and Judo in high school. By college she was training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. When she saw her first UFC on TV, she admits it wasn’t something she thought she would do and actually thought it was scary. But as more students who she trained with took up fighting, she decided to accept the ultimate challenge and become a professional fighter.

“Everyone always asks me why I fight,” Modafferi says. “I used to try to think of some philosophical answer, but it’s really just fun. It’s also the ultimate challenge for your strength, technique, and your heart. You really meet yourself for the first time on your journey into the ring or cage.”

When asked when her next fight is, she responds, “I wish I knew”

Such is the case for talented women in the sport of MMA.

Modafferi is analytical in her views of women’s mixed martial arts. She believes the casual fan still isn’t interested in seeing women beat each other up. Hardcore fans recognize the talent and professionalism of top level female fighters and look for matchups in larger organizations. Other female pros are all scrambling with their resumes, trying to get big fights. Some matchups have been good and some have been bad, like the recent Cyborg vs. Akano debacle.

“We have the responsibility of not only representing ourselves, but representing all female fighting in general,” Modafferi said.

Modafferi loves her job as an English teacher in Japan, but admits that if she lived in the US, she might get more chances to fight. It is hard for US-based promoters to fly a top level female fighter in from Japan. In Japan, she has difficulty finding women her level and size to compete against.
Being a female fighter is full of disappointment. Modafferi was supposed to face Tara LaRosa in the AFL/Iron Heart Crown Event in Chicago, but the fight was canceled on two weeks notice.

“I feel like I’m standing on an island waving my arms, screaming, ‘Notice me!’ MMA is crazy because it’s like a job you can’t do even when you want to. And the better resume you have, the less likely you are to be chosen.”

However, Modafferi has found a way to deal with the disappointment; “Ice cream!”

When she is away from the gym, Modafferi catches up on some of the top US shows like 24, Heroes and Prison Break. She also enjoys reading, keeping up with her blogs, and trying new foods.

“Last week I ate barracuda,” Modafferi said.

She has also been called a ninja when it comes to Dance Dance Revolution, and proudly boasts that she can do nine-step expert songs. That could really be considered training footwork!

Modaferri draws inspiration from her new coach, Kiuma Kunioku. She had lost the fire to fight until she started working with him and now admits she is dreaming of punch-kick combos. She also admires Aaron Riley’s never-die fighting spirit and thinks Matt Serra is the man, both in terms of skill and personally.

Like all fighters, Roxanne has her rituals. Before a fight, she will enjoy eggs and pancakes while watching some classic Dragon Ball Z, and post-fight she enjoys a chocolate milkshake.

Tara LaRosa was Modafferi’s toughest opponent to date.

“I’ll never forget her physical strength, and how she mounted me for most of the third round when we fought in MFC in 2006,” Modafferi said. “Next time we fight, I’m going to show her what it feels like.”

It could be a great rematch in the making. Modafferi is currently in talks with StrikeForce and is hoping for the best.