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TUF 20 Tryouts: Who's Going?

3K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  kantowrestler 
#1 ·
http://wombatsports.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/tuf-20-tryouts-scouting-report/

TUF 20 Tryouts Scouting Report

Officially Going

Jessica Penne (11-2) – The former Invicta atomweight champion was originally offer to be a part of the cast, but decided to decline it. Since then, Penne has changed her mind and is set to be the front runner for one of the spots.

Aisling Daly (14-5) – One of the few people to have a win over current UFC signee Jessica Eye, Daly looked great at 115 against Karla Benitez this past December at Cage Warriors.

Heather Clark (6-4) – The XFC and Bellator vet is looking to continue her feud with TUF 20 signee Felice Herrig in the house. Clark had the upper hand over Herrig in the first round of their first encounter, until Clark suffered an arm injury in the second, which helped Herrig take the last two rounds. With a lot of screaming after the fight and no love lost, this rivalry could be a ratings-getter.

Lisa Ellis (15-8) – The one thing the house is missing now is a true vet, and Lisa Ellis fits the bill. The Belltor 115 tournament vet had a fight of the year contender against Penne at atomweight, and Ellis has went toe to toe with the two best fights ever at 115; Jessica Aguilar and Megumi Fujii.

Nina Ansaroff (6-3) – Current on a 5 fight win streak, Ansaroff has finished in all but one of her wins. She recently made her Invicta debut, getting the KO over Munah Holland. She trains out of MMA Masters with UFC fighter Amanda Nunes.

Randa Markos-Thomas (4-1) – The top prospect out of Canada, Markos went 3-0 before her war with Justine Kish. She recently got her 4th win in a match with Lynell House a few weeks ago.

Claire Fryer (4-1) – The Australian prospect has been a well known name in kickboxing and has fought MMA since 2009. Teammates with TUF 20 cast member Bec Hyatt, her only loss was to cast member Alex Chambers. Fryer has back to back TKO wins in her last two fights.

Amy Cadwell (3-0) – The Washington State strawweight had proved her superior ground game with back to back submission wins.

Jocelyn Lybarger (2-1) – Invicta vet Lybarger won her first two before losing to Sarah Alpar last year. She is hoping to be 3-1 when she tries out, as she faces Rosa Acevedo at RFA 14 April 11.

Brianna VanBuren (2-1) – Having just recent defeated veteran fighter Patricia Vidonic, VanBuren has been on many people’s radar as of late. The XFC vet is strong and her wrestling is something to watch out for.

Jennifer Liou (2-0) – Liou has started her career with big wins over Jillian Lybarger and InvictaFC signee Rachael Ostovich.

—–

Has not confirmed

Lena Ovchynnikova (9-3) – Having started her MMA career in 2006, the kickboxer turned MMA fighter went 8-0 to start her career with 7 submissions.

Nicdali Calanoc (8-7) – An eight year vet of the sport and a fan favorite, Calanoc is looking to string together some wins and to revitalize her career.

Karla Benitez (11-6) - Spain’s top female fighter, she is a seven year vet of the sport and has faced some of the best international fighters. She has won three of her last 5 and started her career 6-0.

Lynn Alvarez (6-3) – A seven year vet of the sport, Alvarez looked like a fighter in her prime getting a first round submission over Amber Stautzenberger in January. Her only losses are to current WSOF champ Jessica Aguilar, former Invicta champ Carla Esparza, and XFC title challenger Angela Magana.

Angela Magana (11-6) – Magana has wins over InvictaFC champ Barb Honchak and WSOF champ Jessica Aguilar in her 7 year career.

Manjit Kolekar (6-0) - The flyweight from India has finished all of her opponents and has came in a few pounds light in all her matches.

Diana Rael (5-3) - Rael has back to back finishes in her last two fights. Even though she is an atomweight, it maybe an advantage in terms of making weight every week.

Marianna Kheyfets (5-1) - has been MIA from the sport since her loss to Munah Holland in 2012. Kheyfets was a growing star at XFC before the loss, and we won’t be surprised if she shows up to make her much anticipated return to the cage.

Kathina Catron (4-3) - The InvictaFC vet had finished in three of her 4 wins.

Simona Soukupova (4-3) – The InvictaFC vet got a notable win over Cassie Roddish. She has finished in all of her wins.

Justine Kish (4-0) – The kickboxer turned MMA fighter has made waves with her win over previously undefeated Randa Markos-Thomas at RFA this past January. Kish started her career with back to back submissions.

Ashley Cummins (3-2) - Undefeated as an amateur, Cummins lost a close split decision TUF cast member Emily Kagan. Cummins is looking for redemption and the opportunity to rematch Kagan and Joanne Calderwood.

Tessa Simpson (3-1) - Handing Paulina Granados her first loss, Simpson started her pro career with back to back finishes.

Kailin Curran (3-0) – The PXC star has wins over Invicta vet Kaiyana Rain and JEWELS vet Emi Tomimatsu. She trains out of Reign MMA with Rachael Cummins and UFC star Jake Ellenberger.

Daizy Singh (3-0) - The best female strawweight fighter out of India, Singh had back to back submission wins to start her pro career last year.

Livia Von Plettenberg (2-1) – The Austrian fighter has made the move to Portland, Oregon and Team Quest and is a vet of InvictaFC. She took TUF cast member Joanne Calderwood the distance and is tough as nails.

Rachael Cummins (2-1) – Getting back to back armbar wins, Cummins has found her stride as a pro. The Tuff-n-uff vet trains out of Reign training center with UFC star Jake Ellenberger and PXC’;s Kalin Curran.

Paulina Granados (2-1) – Granados was undefeated as an amateur and went 2-0 before losing a decision to the above mentioned Simpson.

Lynnell House (2-1) – House suffered her first loss in a barn burner with Randa Markos-Thomas in Canada last month. House had back to back finishes to start her pro career.

Michelle Nicolini (2-0) – ADCC grappling world champion and a BJJ black belt, Nicolini has back to back first round armbars.

Rebecca Heintzman (2-0) – Having gone undefeated as an amateur, Heintzman has looked impressive in her two pro wins.

Helen Harper (2-0)- The British fight is currently fighting out of the Phuket Fighgt Team in Thailand, which is known for their striking. Harper finished in both of her wins last year.
The confirmed list is looking so good right now, I hope Heather Clark gets in (her fued with Felice Herrig was particularly heatd, and could continue in the house), and pulling for Aisling Daly, she's had a rough run but looks rejuvinated at 115lbs. The rest of the list is buzzing with talent.

Can't wait! :thumb02:
 
#15 ·
I'm gonna get flamed, but.. I'm not into blondes for the most part, so meh. I like darker haired and darker women in general. Well actually, any diversity is good for me. My girlfriend is East Indian American so yeah.

Anyways, sorry for getting side tracked there. >.> ahem, the season looks like it will be good. Some solid talent it looks like.
 
#17 · (Edited)
http://wombatsports.wordpress.com/2014/04/23/20-for-tuf-20-confirmed-list-of-tryout-fighters/

20 for TUF 20 – Confirmed List of Tryout Fighters

As you may know “The Ultimate Fighter 20″ tryouts are this Monday and we are expected a solid turnout. Not surprising many have been vocal about making the trip to Vegas to get into what has become the most prestigious tournament in women’s MMA history.

Eight spots will be available for those lucky few who impress the UFC enough to vie for the inaugural strawweight title. (Julianna Lima, Claudia Gadhela, and Paige VanZant won’t be a part of the show and will fight in the UFC this summer.) The rest of the cast are expected to be in Vegas (not at tryouts) for medical evaluations.

Here is our list of 20 confirmed participants (in no particular order):

1) Jessica Penne - The former Invicta atomweight champion was a part of the Bellator strawweight tournament in 2010. She is the front runner for a spot due to experience and her reputation from Invicta.

2) Lisa Ellis - The one thing the house is missing now is a true vet, and Lisa Ellis fits the bill. The Bellator 115 tournament vet had a fight of the year contender against Penne at atomweight, and Ellis has went toe to toe with the two best fights ever at 115; Jessica Aguilar and Megumi Fujii.

3) Heather Clark - The XFC and Bellator vet is looking to continue her feud with TUF 20 signee Felice Herrig in the house. Clark had the upper hand over Herrig in the first round of their first encounter, until Clark suffered an arm injury in the second, which helped Herrig take the last two rounds. With a lot of screaming after the fight and no love lost, this rivalry could be a ratings-getter.

4) Aisling Daly – The Irish fighter is already in Vegas getting acclimated. One of the few people to defeat Jessica Eye, Daly looked impressive in her return to strawweight in January at Cage Warriors.

5) Nina Ansaroff - Current on a 5 fight win streak, Ansaroff has finished in all but one of her wins. She recently made her Invicta debut, getting the KO over Munah Holland. She trains out of MMA Masters with UFC fighter Amanda Nunes.

6) Kailin Curran – The PXC star has wins over Invicta vet Kaiyana Rain and JEWELS vet Emi Tomimatsu. She trains out of Reign MMA with Rachael Cummins and UFC star Jake Ellenberger.

7) Randa Markos - The top prospect out of Canada, Markos went 3-0 before her war with Justine Kish. She recently got her 4th win in a match with Lynell House a few weeks ago.

8) Jenny Liou - Liou has started her career with big wins over Jillian Lybarger and InvictaFC signee Rachael Ostovich.

9) Tessa Simpson - Handing Paulina Granados her first loss, Simpson started her pro career with back to back finishes.

10) Angela Hill – The Muay Thai specialist has yet to make her MMA debut but will still try out. She has decision wins at Lion Fights and New York’s Froday Night Fights promotion.

11) Amy Cadwell Montenegro - The Washington State strawweight had proved her superior ground game with back to back submission wins.

12) Paulina Granados - Granados was undefeated as an amateur and went 2-0 before losing a decision to the above mentioned Simpson.

13) Helen Harper - The British fight is currently fighting out of the Phuket Fight Team in Thailand, which is known for their striking. Harper finished in both of her wins last year.

14) Diana Rael - Rael has back to back finishes in her last two fights. Even though she is an atomweight, it maybe an advantage in terms of making weight every week.

15) Jocelyn Lybarger - Invicta vet Lybarger won her first two before losing to Sarah Alpar last year. She defeated Rosa Acevedo at RFA 14 a few weeks ago.

16) Jillian Lybarger – Jillian is coming off a pro debut decision loss and is hoping to join her sister in the house.

17) Brianna VanBuren - Having just recent defeated veteran fighter Patricia Vidonic, VanBuren has been on many people’s radar as of late. The XFC vet is strong and her wrestling is something to watch out for.

18) Justine Kish - The kickboxer turned MMA fighter has made waves with her win over previously undefeated Randa Markos-Thomas at RFA this past January. Kish started her career with back to back submissions.

19) Sharice Davis – Having an even record as a pro, she has a submission win over Nadia Nixon.

20) Katrina Taylor – One of the two “Ultimate Women’s Challenge” vets to try out (Heather Clark being the other) is coming off a three year absence from the cage, but has been continuing her training in MMA.
 
#18 ·
Seems like a pretty legit turnout for the remaining three positions. I know this is pretty obvious to say but if they're putting only fourteen fighters in the house I think they're bringing back the wildcard. Also I'm wondering if when her contract is up if Jessica Aguilar is going to go to the UFC.
 
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