Male vs. Female MMA Fight Didn't Happen

Shooto Brazil, a Brazilian mixed martial arts organization, has initially announced a fight between both sexes featuring Emerson Falcao and Juliana Velasquez Dec. 18 for the "Shooto 45" event Dec. 20. However, the fight was never intended to take place.

MMAFighting.com first reported the news about the fight. Brazilian Promoter Andre Pederneiras originally came up with the idea.

Both Falcao and Velasquez were present during the weigh-ins held at a local restaurant in Rio de Janeiro Dec. 19. Both even stepped in the scale and faced each other.

"We're going to fight," Velasquez said after the weigh-ins. "We're professionals and we'll fight tomorrow," she added.

Falcao even said people should believe Pederneiras, who is regarded as one of the most esteemed men in the MMA. Falcao added if Pederneiras said that a fight will take place, then it will definitely happen.

"I was hired to fight and I am going to fight," Falcao said. "This is the first of the many man vs. woman fights that will come in the future," he added.

However, as much as people would have wanted to witness a mixed-gender MMA watch, it was a good thing that it didn't happen because it just wouldn't feel right.

Osiris Maia, a member of the Brazilian Mixed Martial Arts Confederation, told MMAFighting.com that the fight isn't really for real.

Maia said they would never allow such a fight to happen. According to Maia, the mixed-gender fight, if pushed through, has a collective demonstration that is more significant for the general public that for the sport itself.

If truth be told, it wouldn't be so enjoyable to watch. Furthermore, Maia said it was a press release that was announced to create buzz and show to the people the importance of "Lei Maria da Penha."

"Lei Maria da Penha" is a federal law in Brazil that deals with reducing the domestic violence in women. It was named after Maria da Penha Maia, who became paraplegic after her ex-husband tried to kill her twice.