Jazmine Shannon's most recent fight at 51Fifty Fight Night 8 in Livingston, Ca.

Photo: Cali Fights @califights

Females underrepresented in California's amateur MMA Circuit

Marcial Marmolejo - June 23, 2022

With over three hundred amateur MMA fights in California between January - May 2022, only thirteen have had female competitors.

While some still say the mixed martial arts industry is still in its infancy, it is obvious the sport is here to stay.  As it continues to grow, California has always been at the forefront of producing top talent in both the amateur and professional circuit.  Redondo Beach, Ca. is home to current UFC Strawweight Champion, Carla Esparza.

Despite California having a current world champion in its resume (a female champion at that), it just seems like female competitors are not lining up to enter the cage.

Ashley Thinner dominates in the first round at 209 Beatdown 13 in Stockton Ca.

Photo: Cali Fights @califights

Female competitors are not fighting

Between January - May, 2022, only twenty four brave female souls have fought in the various amateurs promotions according to the California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization (CAMO) website .  With a total of 534 active amateur fighters, that's only 4.5% of all amateur California fighters being women. 

Even in a sport dominated by men, it just seems like a very low percentage considering the huge impact female fighters have had in the industry since its infancy.

Jazmine Shannon only girl to fight twice in 2022

This isn't to say California lacks talent.  In a recent analysis of every amateur fight in California for the year, only two female fighters have had multiple fights.  Jazmine Shannon and Edna Martinez have both fought twice this year, but only Shannon has come out victoriously (2-0, 2022).  The other twenty two female competitors have only competed once between the same time period.

This marks Shannon as the top amateur female fighter in the state of California year-to-date.

Jazmine Shannon and Christianna Linehan go to war at 51Fifty Fight Night 8 in Livingston, Ca.

Photo: Cali Fights @califights

Cali Fights rankings being developed

Shannon is currently the top female fighter in the state based on a new formula being developed to rank California's amateur mixed martial artists.  This formula will not only take into account if the fighter wins or loses, but also if the fighter won dominantly in the first round, if it went to the judges or if the fight concluded in a draw. 

Every possible result is factored in as well as the number of fights in the fighter's resume during the measured period.

The current rankings cover only those who have been active between January - May of 2022.  The goal is to release the first official rankings mid-June taking into account only those fighters and result which took place between January through June.

Edna Martinez at 209 Beatdown 13 in Stockton, Ca.

Photo: Cali Fights @califights

The future of women's MMA is not bleak

Despite the lack of female fights in 2022, there's hope in the horizon as Valkyrie Fighting Championship is currently set to host an all-female card on June 25, 2022.  This card is to take place at The Legacy International Center in San Diego, Ca.  Follow them on Facebook for more information.

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