Would-be Record FCFF Mixed Martial Arts Fight Between Female Heavyweights Cancelled

On the Fight Card for Rumble @ the Roseland 58 on July 16 was a contest MMA fans have been looking forward to for months, and it looks like they will have to wait awhile longer. The bout between Hillary VanOrnum and Danae Dorn would have set a record as the heaviest ever.

Unfortunately, the anticipated match had to be cancelled for health reasons.

"First MMA fight cancelled due to a staph infection that will not heal. This blows," VanOrnum said on twitter. "Hopefully we can reschedule."

At 225 pounds, the match would have broken the previous mark by 70 pounds. Paige Grinder held the FCFF record, fighting at 155 pounds. The fight would have been the first for both VanOrnum and Dorn, who have been challenged in finding opponents in their weight class. That's not to say they don't bring athletic experience to the cage, however.

Vanornum is a former Division I basketball player and has been with Team Quest for two years. She entered two Jiu-Jitsu events in 2011 and placed well at each. She took home gold in the blue belt at the Abu Dubai World Pro Trials and took home fifth at the International World Jiu Jitsu Championships, defeating the Brazilian national champion in the process.

Danae Dorn is with Impact Jiu Jitsu, and brings experience and tenacity to the ring as well. Fans are understanably disappointed to not have seen the fight take place. If there is a reschedule, the anticipation will surely grow.

Other bouts on the Fight Card

There was one other female fight on the Undercard, with MMA newcomer Cinthia Aguirre taking on Emily Corso. It was a rough introduction for the 19-year-old from Portland. Corso defeated Aguirre with a tapout on a rear naked choke just 31 seconds into the first round.

In the main event, Austin Springer defeated John Spencer with a first-round tapout of his own, becoming the new FCFF Lightweight Champion. Earning the Featherweight crown in another quick match, took out Shaun Nance 1:28 into the first-round.

The fights in Rumble @ The Roseland 58 took place in the standard 25-foot steel cage known as "The Slammer." The Full Contact Fighting Federation describes itself as the nation's premier amatuer Mixed Martial Arts organization. Started in 2001, FCFF has held more than 230 bouts.

Mixed Martial Arts is surging in popularity in America, at the same time traditional boxing in is in decline and relegated mostly to bouts held overseas and shown in the United States after the fact. As a fan of traditional boxing, it's hard for me to make the transition to MMA. Still, the promised fight between VanOrnum and Dorn is something that could bring even more fans to the sport.