G4TV’s Blair Butler Breaks Down the Women’s Scene from Invicta to Strikeforce

With the success of the recent second installment of Invicta FC and the excitement surrounding the coming 135-pound Strikeforce title match between Ronda Rousey and Sarah Kaufman, G4TV’s Blair Butler of Attack of the Show chimed in to discuss what is turning into possibly the most important month for women’s MMA to date.

Speaking first on Invicta, Butler was asked which fights stood out to her most, to which she replied, “I have to say Liz Carmouche and Amanda Nunes’ comebacks in their fights.

“They were incredibly one-sided when they started and wound up being incredibly exciting comebacks. I think those wins set them up for maybe a contender elimination fight. It makes such a great argument for the strength and depth of the (the 135-pound) division.”

Individually speaking, it was one of the evening’s upsets that produced possibly its most memorable moment.

“I think everybody was pretty delighted with the Sarah D’Alelio reverse triangle arm bar (on Vanessa Porto),” said Butler. “It was crazy and really fantastic.”

Overall, Butler feels that Invicta has set the bar high for not just a women’s promotion, but any promotion in terms of competition on one of their cards.

“One of the best things about the main card, each one of those fights – including the headlining bout that went to a decision – were exciting, action-packed fights,” she said. “If you look at that compared the UFC 149 main card, you had such a great night of action at Invicta for free, which was really something.

“When people argue that there’s no depth in women’s MMA, I think Invicta is going to be the thing you hold up and say, ‘Actually, Invicta’s consistently putting on these great shows with great fights.’”

Turning her attention to the Aug. 18 Strikeforce title fight between Rousey and Kaufman, Butler feels the defending champion will more than likely exit the cage with the belt still around her waist.

“To be honest, I think Ronda Rousey has a huge edge,” said Butler. “Sarah Kaufman is a great fighter, but Ronda is just seemingly unstoppable.

“We’ve seen her hit that (arm bar) submission that everyone’s training to avoid again and again and again – you realize just how powerful Ronda is. Not to dismiss Sarah’s pedigree, but I have to give Ronda the advantage in that fight.”

As for Butler, with her MMA comic book Heart out now in collected edition and the recent influx of personalities to Attack of the Show, things couldn’t be going more swimmingly.

“It’s been really cool that we’ve had some really great guest hosts and some really cool people coming up that are going to be guest hosting the show – so it’s a very exciting time for us,” she said.

“I’m excited to see what happens. It’s cool to have a new personality and point of view, and the people really embracing and stepping up to the opportunity to host the show.”

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