EliteXC 'Heat' Breakdown

Gina Carano vs. Kelly Kobald

Carano Scouting Report

Ht/Wt: 5’8/140 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Fighting out of: Las Vegas
Record: 6-0

The stakes: A legitimate mainstream representative of MMA, Carano is paradoxically reviled by many fans for her maddening inability to make weight and the outright preferential treatment she gets because of her marketability. The same issues that have turned the hardcore MMA fan against her could easily ruin her mainstream appeal, too. Now is the time to start fixing the past, lest it ruin the future.

Why she’ll win: For all the weight-cutting follies that have dogged Carano, she remains one of the most dynamic competitors in the burgeoning world of female MMA. Once regarded as a straightforward kickboxer, Carano has shown savvy on the ground and a willingness to vary her approach when necessary. That sort of versatility should serve her well against Kobald, who has struggled of late against opponents who can match her own well-rounded abilities.

Kobald Scouting Report

Ht/Wt: 5’6/140 lbs.
Age: 25
Hometown: Minneapolis
Fighting out of: Minneapolis
Record: 16-2-1

The stakes: After starting her career with 15 wins and a draw, Kobald came off the rails by dropping two straight bouts. Now back in the saddle after a 13-month layoff, she finds herself at a critical juncture. A loss could doom her prospects for bigger paydays, while a win would thrust Kobald into the limelight that Carano has enjoyed for some time.

Why she’ll win: Although Carano has shown some skill on the ground, the game plan against her remains the same -- take her out of her element and show her relative inexperience on the ground remains a major liability. Kobald has the skill and moxie to get the job done, as long as she does not allow herself to get dragged into a kickboxing match.


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The bottom line: It’s no secret that Carano has been handled with kid gloves. The fact that she’s fighting Kobald while Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos languishes on the non-televised portion of “Heat” is further proof of that. Kobald is in the midst of a demoralizing losing streak and an extended layoff. Discounting those factors, she’s still a poor test for Carano, whose smooth and powerful strikes pose major issues for her. As expected, this is another showcase match for a fighter who cannot even make weight in a division created for her.