Erin Toughill Off August Strikeforce Card

Originally posted on MMAfanhouse.com

Female mixed martial arts fighter, Erin Toughill, will have to wait a little longer to make her Strikeforce debut. Toughill was once slotted to compete on Strikeforce's August 15 card, but the organization's director of communications, Mike Afromowitz, confirmed with FanHouse on Thursday that she is only being reserved as an injury replacement in case Gina Carano or Cristiane Santos get injured prior to their 145-pound title bout scheduled for the same card.

Toughill (10-2-1) is currently riding a four-fight winning streak. According to her agent, Ken Pavia, she was offered a fight against Santos on Strikeforce's April 11 card, but wanted a little more time to train for it and had one fight left on her Palace Fighting Championship contract.

Toughill also has an 8-2-1 boxing career, although she hasn't boxed since 2006. Interestingly enough, she lost to Muhammad Ali's daughter, Laila Ali, in 2005 and fought Joe Frazier's daughter, Jackie Frazier-Lyde, to a no contest in 2002. She also appeared on the second season of "American Gladiators" as "Steel."

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The Triangle Choke: Erin Toughill Interview

SD- Erin, speak about your background in combat sports.

ET- I was an athlete my whole life. I started playing soccer at 4 years old then basketball, softball, all at very high levels throughout my adolescence. I started in BJJ with the Gi when I was about 18 or 19. I had been doing low level striking training before that. But I started getting VERY serious when I was about 21, and I had my first pro fight when I just turned 22, in 1999. So I found martial arts a little later in life, but I started fighting way before it was the "cool thing" to do...like it seems to be why people fight today.



SD- When did you start training for MMA specifically

ET- When I was 21. I never knew women did MMA. I was going to kickbox but overseas it was a big thing for women. So my career started there & I never looked back.
SD- How has your family reacted to you being a fighter?

ET-My family always, always supported me. My Dad didn't like that his little girl was getting punched in the face lol but he knew I was a go-getter and if I was going to fight, it was so I could be the best. He knew my dedication and he respected that. My mom typically goes to all my fights. My sister and Dad were my biggest fans, and although they're not here physically anymore, their spirits are always with me, pushing me to be the best.

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SD- Thank you Erin. We will continue to monitor your career and look forward to the event on August 15th.

ET- I wanted to thank Neil Melanson and my sponsor, Cage Fighter. Of course MMA Agents and all the boys who work with Ken Pavia and Nate Brodnax. I am just trying to get the casual fan to know me, and I hope I can prove women can bring a great deal to this sport. Go to www.erintoughill.com and myspace.com/erintoughill for info on me.

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Erin Toughill official for "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" event on Aug. 15

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

While the California-based Strikeforce organization is set to promote the most heavily anticipated bout in women's MMA history when highly marketed former EliteXC stars Gina Carano (7-0) and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (7-1) meet in the main event of the Aug. 15 event "Carano vs. Cyborg," the company is not stopping its commitment to the women's game there.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned that fellow top female 145-pound fighter Erin Toughill (10-2-1) will appear on the evening's card against an as-yet-undetermined opponent.

"Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" takes place Aug. 15 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Tickets are currently on sale for the Showtime-broadcast event.

While Carano and Santos have long been considered by many as the top two fighters in the featherweight division, many MMA observers believe Toughill is also in the top five, if not the top three.

Toughill boxed professionally between 2000 and 2006, while also competing in mixed martial arts. The 32-year-old then took a brief hiatus from both sports and competed on "American Gladiators" as the gladiator "Steel."

Toughill is 3-0 since her November 2008 return to action. All three wins came in the Palace Fighting Championship, including a May decision over the previously undefeated Emily Thompson.

Five of Toughill's 10 wins have come by knockout or TKO.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Erin Toughill on Time Warp, Strikeforce Signing

Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

It’s not uncommon to see MMA fighters appearing on myriad of television networks, doing a multitude of things.

One of the more unique opportunities outside the sport that has presented itself to athletes was an opportunity to showcase techniques at up to 100,000 times their normal speed on the Discovery Channel’s popular Time Warp series.

Not only did UFC star Kenny Florian help launch the show on its pilot episode, but he recently returned with Dan and Dave Camarillo along with female sensation and American Gladiators star Erin Toughill for the most recent episode, premiering Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific.

MMAWeekly.com caught up with Toughill to talk about her experience on Time Warp, as well as what’s next for her in her fighting career.

“Apparently one of the producers on the show, Rudy (Fischmann), trains and is a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, and is pretty knowledgeable about the sport,” said Toughill on how she got involved with the series. “They wanted a handful of people that represented each discipline to the best of their abilities, and I know he wanted to pick one woman in particular.

“I guess he was a fan of mine and requested I be in there. He picked me specifically for the striking element – the punches and elbows – so that was a big honor and pretty awesome.”

Toughill, along with the Camarillo brothers, traveled to Boston and met up with Florian for a day’s worth of taping that included Florian working Muay Thai, the brothers demonstrating judo and jiu-jitsu, and Toughill the aforementioned striking game.

“They wanted me to hit this guy in the stomach, and it was the craziest thing seeing all the (impact energy) flow,” stated Toughill. “Kenny and I did this one part where he was holding a watermelon and I hit it, they caught it in slow motion and it just exploded, that was pretty awesome.”

When MMAWeekly.com spoke to Time Warp host Jeff Lieberman in May, he specifically mentioned being hit by Toughill, and how he wouldn’t want to do it again any time in the near future.

“I think sometimes it still freaks people out who don’t know the sport that a woman can do that stuff,” commented Toughill. “I didn’t even hit him hard, but they had a very visceral reaction to it.

Aaron Tru with Ken Pavia: Female MMA Tate, Toughill

MMA Regional Fight Scene

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

Once out in California, top-ranked female featherweight and former professional boxer Erin Toughill (9-2-1) flashes some signs of the heavy hands that lead her to a victory over the previously undefeated Emily Thompson (3-0), while the impressively mohawked Kyle Pimental (6-0) dominates a battle-tested Olaf Alfonso (7-7) en route to claiming the PFC's welterweight title in a third-round stoppage.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Quick Strikes: Spanning World of MMA

Originally posted on MMA.fanhouse.com

- Heavyweight Brett Rogers is keeping himself ready for a potential fight on the upcoming June 6 Strikeforce event in St. Louis. As of Friday morning, Rogers' involvement on the card is not official, as Strikeforce is looking for a suitable opponent for him. The former EliteXC fighter was once rumored to be fighting current Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, but thus far, no deal has been reached. Right now, there is one slot to be filled on the Showtime portion of the card, as the Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Jared Hamman fight has been moved to the non-televised undercard.

- Former WEC lightweight champion "Razor" Rob McCullough, pictured right, underwent a second surgery to repair his broken right hand on Thursday. McCullough injured the hand in his most recent victory against Marcus Hicks at WEC 39 in March. It appears as though he will now be out of action for the remainder of the calendar year.

- Female fighter Erin Toughill returns to action tonight at Palace Fighting Championship 13 in Lemoore, Calif., against Emily Thompson. According to Toughill's agent, Ken Pavia, she has an offer on the table to join Strikeforce's stable of female fighters. "While we're weighing all our options, Strikeforce is a very attractive one," Pavia told FanHouse. Toughill was originally offered to fight Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos on the April 11 Strikeforce card, but wanted a little more time to train for one of the best female fighters in the world.

- And finally, War Machine (born Jon Koppenhaver) is considering an offer from the War Gods promotion to compete on their upcoming June 20 card. The event takes place in San Diego, which is where War Machine currently lives and trains. Since his release from the UFC last spring, he has won his last three fights in a row. No potential opponent has been announced. War Machine fighting on a War Gods card seems like a pretty natural fit.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAfanhouse.com

Prater claims vacant title at PFC 13

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

Pimental was one of three fighters to claim PFC gold on the evening. Carlo Prater (24-6-1) grabbed the vacant lightweight crown, while Pat Runez (2-0) earned the PFC's vacant flyweight title.

The three title fights were contested on the main card of PFC 13, which took place at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

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Earlier in the evening, six-and-a-half year veteran Prater put a halt to Dominique Robinson's (4-3) two-fight PFC win streak with a clear-cut unanimous decision win. The five-round battle left both fighters relatively unscathed, but Prater did enough to earn the PFC's vacant lightweight title in his first trip to the organization.

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In other notable action, after struggling to make weight at Thursday's weigh-ins (though eventually registering 144 pounds), WAMMA's No. 3-ranked female featherweight Erin Toughill (10-2-1) earned a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Emily Thompson (3-1).

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Toughill, Prater Earn Wins at PFC 13

Originally posted on Sherdog.com

WEC veteran Carlo Prater defeated Dominique Robinson for the vacant 155-pound strap. Prater earned scores of 49-46 on all three cards in a five-round bout that saw neither fighter take much damage.

Prater thanked the crowd and offered Robinson an immediate rematch.

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Erin Toughill used superior striking and an effective push kick to earn a unanimous decision win over an outmatched Emily Thompson. Thompson was game, but could not get any offense going against the American Gladiators’ star.

Click here to read the entire article at Sherdog.com

PFC 13 to Stream Live on Sherdog.com

Sherdog.com is pleased to offer a free live stream of TONIGHT’s Palace Fighting Championship card.

PFC 13
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino
Lemoore, Calif.
Streaming live on Sherdog.com!

Doug Marshall vs. Jaime Jara
Casey Olson vs. Eddie Yagin
Leopoldo Serao vs. Phil Collins
Olaf Alfonso vs. Kyle Pimental
Dominique Robinson vs. Carlo Prater
Anthony Perales vs. Pat Runez
Poppies Martinez vs. Gabe Ruediger
Bryan Travers vs. John Gunderson
Marcelo Giudici vs. John Reedy
Scott McAfee vs. Bill Theofanopoulos
Cole Escovedo vs. Michael McDonald
Erin Toughill vs. Emily Thompson

Click here to read the entire article at Sherdog.com

PFC 13 to Stream Live on Sherdog.com

PFC 13
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino
Lemoore, Calif.
Streaming live on Sherdog.com!

Doug Marshall vs. Jaime Jara
Casey Olson vs. Eddie Yagin
Leopoldo Serao vs. Phil Collins
Olaf Alfonso vs. Kyle Pimental
Dominique Robinson vs. Carlo Prater
Anthony Perales vs. Pat Runez
Poppies Martinez vs. Gabe Ruediger
Bryan Travers vs. John Gunderson
Marcelo Giudici vs. John Reedy
Scott McAfee vs. Bill Theofanopoulos
Cole Escovedo vs. Michael McDonald
Erin Toughill vs. Emily Thompson

Click here to read the entire article at Sherdog.com

Erin "Steel" Toughill Wants PFC Trifecta

(Photo Courtesy of Warrior Wear)
Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

After having just one fight over a 48-month stretch, Erin Toughill has stormed back into women’s MMA with a vengeance.

Wins in her last two fights for the Palace Fighting Championship, Toughill has placed herself firmly back on the map, and now looks to continue her winning ways on Friday night against up and comer Emily Thompson.

Still, even with her successful return, Toughill continues to have to plow a tough road through success. But she doesn’t intend on letting it get the better of her.

“I can say this camp has not been as easy as others, but that’s how it rolls,” admitted Toughill. “Part of doing all this is being strong enough to deal with the highs and lows of the physical part – as well as the emotional stress – it can have on you.

“I have my eye on the ‘W’, though, so it’ll be fine.”

Even having dealt with everything going on in her life, Toughill still has to fight Friday against Emily Thompson.

When asked what she feels about the match-up, she replied, “Nothing about her per-say. I’m going to what I do when I fight MMA – and that’s win.

“I really have a different intensity coming into this fight. Whether I KO her or submit her – it doesn’t matter – I’m just going to win.”

Click here to read the entire article at MMAweekly.com

Never has beauty been so dangerous - PRO MMA exclusive with Erin Toughill

Originally posted on ProMMA.info

ina Carano may have been dubbed “the face of women’s MMA” and she gets a lot of attention because of her talent and let’s face it, her looks. Props to her for taking advantage of the opportunities set before her and achieving all she has. However, there are other female MMA fighters who have more experience than Gina, are easily just as pretty, but have not yet garnered the same amount of publicity.

MMA is still young, and as the sport progresses, more of these women who have paved the way and paid their dues will also start to get more recognition. One such lady is Erin Toughill. She is a fighter, MMA trainer, artist, fitness model, and works with charities.

Erin’s first professional fight on record was a Vale Tudo match in Aruba in 1999. Her record now stands at 9-2-1 and she has fought all over the world. She is currently on a three fight win streak and is coming off a first round knockout of Karen Williams at Palace Fighting Championship in February.

Erin is deep in training for her upcoming fight, but thankfully took a few minutes to speak with us at PRO MMA (promma.info) about a number of topics including how she matches up with her undefeated opponent, the current state of women’s MMA, her opinion on Gina and Cyborg, Cyborg’s female problems, and more.

Never has beauty been so dangerous, we give to you Ms. Erin Toughill…

PRO MMA: Hello Erin, thank you for taking the time to speak with us at PRO MMA (promma.info). How are things with you?
ERIN: Really well. I am just focusing on my May 8th fight for the PFC (Palace Fighting Championship).

PRO MMA: I know you have been involved with MMA and combat sports for a long time now. You are a real veteran of the sport and yet you are only 31-years-old, is that correct?
ERIN: Lol, Yes. I had my first pro fight when I just turned 22, in Sept 1999.. As of Sept 2009, I will have been pro for ten years. In June, I turn 32. I would not change it for the world. And the Erin now would beat the crap out of the Erin back then lol.

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PRO MMA: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us at PRO MMA (promma.info). Is there anything we left out you would like to discuss? Any final thoughts? Words of wisdom? - Would you like to thank any sponsors or send a shout out to anyone?
ERIN: There are two motto’s I will always stand by: “Hard Work Pays Off” and “Excellence is Always Rewarded”. I have worked really hard to get where I am, and each year I try to better myself as a person and as a fighter. I believe in giving people the best you have to offer, and the best rewards will come back ten fold. The same goes with the opposite. I fully believe in karma. Thank you so much and please stop by www.erintoughill.com to see what’s new with me. Id like to thank MMA Agents and Palace Fighting Championship for believing in me. Thank you to fans and friends and the people I train with.

Click here to read the entire article at ProMMA.info

Pros Picks: Liddell vs. Shogun

Originally posted on Sherdog.com

Many professional trainers and fighters think they have the answer to those questions. Sherdog.com recently polled dozens of the pros in an attempt to get a read on the pulse of the MMA elite. Some were a little hesitant to comment on the fight, but the brave ones put their names and reputations on the line and boldly picked a winner...

Brad Blackburn: I think the first round should be a very exciting kickboxing match. But after the first round, if the fight hasn't ended, and Rua hasn't upped his conditioning, it's going to be all Chuck from that point on.

Jonathan Goulet: If Shogun is not in shape, like when he fought Coleman, he will get destroyed, but if he is in shape I will give Liddell a split decision.

Erin Toughill: Both are at a crossroads in their career. Both were unbeatable forces at one time, but in my opinion the toe-to-toe fights have caught up with them. At any rate, I see Liddell winning this one. I think they’ll just haymaker each other for three rounds (laughs), but if Liddell uses good footwork and punches and moves, he will win by decision.

Click here to read the entire article at Sherdog.com

Erin Toughill Part II: ‘Be prepared to be hit, and hit hard’

Originally posted on fiveouncesofpain.com

Once widely respected as one of the best female mixed martial artists and professional boxers at the same time, Erin Toughill has recently rebounded from a two year retirement stint in MMA and expects to cause some serious shock waves in the not so distant future of Strikeforce’s female division.

Much like most of the other mixed martial arts fans that happened to follow the sport way back in 1999, Toughill had no clue that there were actually other females out there that were involved with this type of thing. A true pioneer of female mixed martial arts in very sense of the word, Toughill jumped at the opportunity when it presented itself.

“I actually was not aware women even did MMA,” revealed Toughill in an exclusive interview with FiveOuncesOfPain.com. “I had been watching the UFC from its first show, and thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever seen. I met my first Trainer, Sean McCully, through mutual friends. At eighteen, I had gotten into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but trained with Sean on and off for a while after. He saw something in me and asked if I wanted to fight. I figured I’d be doing KickBoxing, but he asked me to participate in an MMA fight in Aruba when I was barely twenty two. I said, “What the hell!” And it unrolled from there.”

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“I will be signing with Strikeforce this summer and we will see what unfolds. Whether it’s Gina, Cyborg or anyone else, I take no one lightly. When I first started, because of how I looked, people took me lightly. And then when I beat them, they probably thought different. You never know what a person will bring to the ring, but you need to be prepared no matter who it is.”
“I would like to Thank Ken Pavia and the rest of the boys at MMAAgents.com. They have all really worked hard for me, and have been a great addition to my life and career. I would like to thank Warrior Wear and GreenMedica.com. I want to thank Brian Rauchback, Josiah & John Marsh, from Lotar, helping me and dedicating their time to me so I can be the best. I want to thank My Mom and friends who have been there for me. Last but not least, I want to thank Mo Lawal who has become a great friend and training partner for me. We’re probably two of the most opposite people [laughs], but we have a great friendship. Go to: www.erintoughill.com and www.myspace.com/erintoughill for pics, bio and info on my career!”

Click here to read the entire article at fiveouncesofpain.com

Erin Toughill Part I: “Be grateful, because things can change in a second”

Originally posted on fiveouncesofpain.com

If you aren’t already familiar with the name Erin Toughill you will become extremely familiar very soon. The former top ranked professional boxer recently returned to the cage after a two year retirement stint with a unanimous decision victory over a very tough Jan Finney in November of 2008.

Outside of a disqualification loss due to the illegal use of elbows in 2004, Toughill has not suffered a mixed martial arts loss since her third professional fight way back in 2000.

Toughill recently revealed in an exclusive interview with FiveOuncesOfPain.com that she will be signing with Strikeforce very soon and expects a match -up with the fearsome Brazilian striker Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos sometime in 2009. They say that three’s company, well current female contenders for the Strikeforce championship Gina Carano and the previously mentioned Cyborg can expect company very soon.

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“I would like to thank Ken Pavia and the rest of the boys at MMAAgents.com. They have all really worked hard for me, and have been a great addition to my life and career. I would like to thank Warrior Wear and GreenMedica.com. I want to thank Brian Rauchback, Josiah & John Marsh, from Lotar, helping me and dedicating their time to me so I can be the best. I want to thank My Mom and friends who have been there for me. Last but not least, I want to thank Mo Lawal who has become a great friend and training partner for me. We’re probably two of the most opposite people [laughs], but we have a great friendship. Go to: www.erintoughill.com and www.myspace.com/erintoughill for pics, bio and info on my career!”

Click here to read the entire article at fiveouncesofpain.com

WAMMA Top 10 List Includes Toughill

Wamma Top Female Mixed Martial Artists

1 (tie) Gina Carano
1 (tie) Christiane Santos
3 Kelly Kobold
4 Megumi Yabushita
5 Marloes Coenen
6 Erin Toughill
7 Karen Williams
8 Emily Thompson
9 Elaina Maxwell
10 Tonya Evinger

Erin Toughill vs. Emily Thompson added to PFC 13: Validation

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

The Palace Fighting Championships has added a female feature to its May 8 event, "PFC 13: Validation," as Emily Thompson (3-0) will meet Erin Toughill (9-2-1).

Sources close to the bout alerted MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) of the addition to the card.

PFC 13 is scheduled for May 8 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

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Toughill, a former professional boxer with a record of 7-3-1 (including a 2005 defeat to Laila Ali), will be carrying a three-fight win streak into the bout. Toughill, who began her MMA career in 1999, took a break from MMA and boxing in 2007. She competed under the name "Steel" on the second season of "American Gladiators" before returning to action in late 2008.

Toughill last fought in February, earning a first-round TKO victory over Karen Williams at "PFC: Best of Both Worlds."

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Toughill Triumphant at ‘Best of Both Worlds’

Post and Photo Courtesy of Sherdog.com

Erin Toughill, also known as "Steele" on NBC’s second season of “American Gladiators,” had little trouble finishing off Karen Williams. Toughill was much bigger and it worked to her advantage. Toughill simply overpowered and battered her outmatched opponent with swing after swing until referee Jason McCoy stepped in to save Williams on her feet at 2:06 of the first round.


Click here to read the entire article at Sherdog.com

Toughill out to prove Carano's not the only female MMA star

Post and Photo Courtesy of MMAweekly.com

After a two-year rollercoaster of a ride both personally and professionally, women's MMA star Erin Toughill is finally seeing things go her way.

Returning to the sport she helped pioneer for the first time since 2006, Toughill fought to a decision victory over veteran fighter Jan Finney at last November's Palace Fighting Championship, signaling the return of better times.

"Of course it was super exciting," she said of her MMA return. "When I was off in 2007 it really wasn't my choice. It was difficult for me to find opponents. In 2008 I was doing American Gladiators, so I kind of took a little time off to do that.


Click here to read the entire article at MMAweekly.com