Strikeforce women's middleweight champion Cristiane 'Cyborg' Santos took part in this week's 2011 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships and the above video is a highlight reel of her activity. To what extent the video accurately represents how Cyborg scores points is unknown, but if it is, she reminds me of Jordan Burroughs. Burroughs is the 2011 NCAA Division I national champion wrestler at 165lbs. He was a senior this past year at Nebraska and plans to make the Olympic team for the 2012 London Games.
VIDEO: Strikeforce’s Cris Cyborg At 2011 IBJJF World Championship
What does that have to do with Cyborg? I admit the comparison is crude, but Burroughs isn’t necessarily the best scrambler at 165lbs, although he’s obviously good in every dimension of the game (he did have issues with par terre). The point is that Burroughs wins by launching unstoppable takedowns throughout the course of his matches. His opponents may score a few points, but it’s only because he lets them back up in the escape.
Similarly, Cyborg (in this video, anyway) uses her physical strength and dominant athleticism to win these matches on takedowns. When opposition try to pull guard she often simply disengages, willing to score points with unrelenting, hard takedowns.
Given how frustrating it must be for her to find suitable opposition in MMA and at this point even secure a fight, winning gold at this prestigious tournament has to feel rewarding. Congratulations go out to her.
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