WATCH: First Women’s MMA Fight in the U.S. – March 28, 1997
The first women’s MMA fight in United States held on March 28, 1997, by the International Fighting Championships between Becky Levi and Betty Fagan.
Strikeforce became the first major promotion in the United States to have held a female fight as the main event on August 15, 2009. The fight between Gina Carano and Cristiane Santos, known professionally as Cris Cyborg, attracted 856,000 viewers. Santos made history with her victory over Carano as she became the first Strikeforce Women’s 145 lb Champion.
Standing at 6-foot-1 with a second-degree black belt in Judo, Levi went 7-1 in her MMA career from 1996 to 2000. That’s what is on record anyway. Levi spoke to MyMMANews about her mixed martial arts career and a run-in with famed WWE superstar Chyna.
Fagan never fought again.
Complete results from the IFC 4: Akwesasane Cage Combat at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in Hogansburg, New York, below:
Wes Gassaway def Robert Lalonde – KO/TKO, 4:26 R1
George Carson def Jay Russell – KO/TKO, 4:54 R1
Wes Gassaway def Mike Isaac – KO/TKO, 2:06 R1
Robert Lalonde def John Bechthold – KO/TKO, 2:54 R1
Becky Levi def Betty Fagan – KO/TKO, 1:44 R1
Frank Laughing def Harry Moskowitz – KO/TKO, 7:26 R1
Wes Gassaway def Zane Frazier – KO/TKO, 2:26 R1
Chris Oster def Ken Kronenberg – KO/TKO, 1:58 R1
John Bechthold def David Hood – Sub, 6:55 R1
Scott Taylor def Simon Bock – 3:17 R1
Lenard Terrance def John Tatro – R1
Mike Isaac def Alain Couture – KO/TKO, 1:25 R1
Robert Lalonde def Gene Hall – Sub, 3:39 R1
