Yes I know Valentines day was a few days ago but I still think this should be covered. For this top 10 I’ll be going over couples in MMA that were composed of fighters.
Not all of the couples are still together but they can be notable more then anything else. However, they will be listed based on the success of the relationship and the amount of intimacy has been displayed in the relationship. So with that here we go:
~ 10 ~
Gina Carano and Kit Cope
This is arguably Kit Cope’s only claim to fame aside from championships in wrestling and Muay Thai. Not much is really known about the extent of their relationship other then they were at most engaged.
They probably met while training under Muay Thai instructor Master Toddy. For the most part we know Carano was the most successful and well known of the two. Regardless Carano made a good decision to leave.
~ 9 ~
Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos
These two were meant to be together. Cristiane Justino and Evangelista Santos met while they were both training at the famed Chute Boxe Academy and at some point got married. They were together during Justino’s rise to fame and while she was the more notable of the two, Santos is an accomplished fighter in his own right.
Santos has danced just outside of a title during his career while Justino actually won titles in Strikeforce and recently Invicta FC. It’s unknown exactly why the two divorced but it happened around December 2011.
~ 8 ~
Randy and Kim Couture
The reason why Kim Couture got into MMA was because of Gina Carano‘s practicing at Xtreme Couture. During that time the Coutures were known as one of the couples of MMA. Obviously Randy was the more notable and successful of the two having five total UFC Championships under his belt.
The couple ended up divorced in May 2009 but surprisingly Randy said he would continue to support Kim in her MMA career. Obviously it didn’t make much of a difference because Kim hasn’t fought since 2011 and her record has been 3-6.
~ 7 ~
Pat Barry and Rose Namajunas
This is the first of the unmarried couples on this list that are in fact still together. It’s unknown exactly how long they’ve been dating but they are certainly both accomplished fighters in their own rights.
It can also be assumed that they started dating shortly after Pat Barry joined the Grudge Training Center. Barry is accomplished primarily in kickboxing competition but has four UFC bonus awards. Rose Namajunas on the other hand has two Submission of the Night performances in Invicta FC and is going to participate in TUF season 20.
~ 6 ~
Jorge Gurgel and Zoila Frausto Gurgel
Despite an age gap of seven years, these two have found what seems to be their equals. Jorge Gurgel and Zoila Frausto were married on February 19, 2011. Before that both fighters had accomplished a bit in their own individual rights.
Frausto pulled more then a few upsets on her way to becoming the only Bellator Women’s Strawweight Champion. Gurgel was at one point the Absolute Combat LW Champion.
~ 5 ~
Eddy Ellis and Lisa Ellis
Once again both of these people are fighters. Together they own the United Training Center in Washington. Of the two the more notable is Lisa Ellis.
While in the middle of the only Bellator Women’s Strawweight Tournament, the Ellis’s were married in July 2010. Before that she won the Fatal Femmes Flyweight Championship and after the tournament won the UCS Women’s 110 pound Championship.
~ 4 ~
Luis Santos and Carina Damm
It seems like these two fighters have been around forever. Luis Santos has been extremely active with almost seventy career matches and fights in promotions such as Bellator, XFC, and Amazon Fights.
Carina Damm has also been around for a while as well. She’s fought many of the big names in women’s MMA. As for their relationship it’s unknown how long they’ve been married but they are still going strong.
~ 3 ~
Brandon and Kerry Vera
While the success of this couple is hard to measure there’s no denying they are on MMA’s radar. Husband and wife Brandon Vera and Kerry Vera have competed in more than a few bouts. Brandon Vera is most known for his career in the UFC where he’s fought the who’s who in MMA.
Kerry Vera has only had two bouts but they were notable as both were wins in Bellator and Strikeforce. Another interesting note is the fact that Kerry was at one point set to face TUF 18 winner Julianna Pena.
~ 2 ~
Cat and Mauricio Zingano
This relationship has a sad ending but at the same time it could be considered a success. Cat Zingano out of the two was the fighter whereas he husband Mauricio Zingano was her coach.
Cat in her short career has won four different titles over two weight classes before she made her way to the UFC. She also has a son with husband Mauricio. Sadly Mauricio committed suicide on January 13, 2014.
~ 1 ~
Miesha Tate and Bryan Caraway
These two have been the most outgoing in their relationship. Miesha Tate and Bryan Caraway have been dating for a while and stuck with each other during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter 18. Tate is the more accomplished of the two having won FCF Women’s Bantamweight Championship and Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
Bryan Caraway has competed in more than a few major promotions as well but hasn’t won any championships just yet. The two aren’t shy though in kissing each other before going into the Octagon.
Did you do anything special for Valentines Day? Leave a comment!