Welcome to the Fightergirls column brought to you by your source for women’s mma gear and clothing Fightergirls.com. Here is the news for this week.

Kedzie (right) & Young (Left) Photo coutesty Ray Mares/ NM Boxing

It wasn’t the most entertaining match, but the five rounds for the Jackson’s MMA women’s title was about respect, and both fighters had plenty of it for each other. At Jackson’s MMA Series 4 at the Hard Rock Casino in Albuquerque, NM, Julie Kedzie defeated Kaitlin Young via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to become the first Jackson’s MMA Women’s champion.

It was a long feeling out process throughout the fight, with both competitors giving short flurries of strikes and pummeling against the fence. It wasn’t until the fifth when we saw Julie Kedzie take Young down; but Young was actively working submissions on her back. The judges gave the unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to Kedzie.

Lobb (red) winds up to punch Branchal (green)

In other matches on the card:

43 year old grandmother and NAGA grappling champ Beckie Lobb showed off her striking skills in her TKO win over Katrina Branchal. Lobb used some of her jiu-jitsu in the first round to try to secure a triangle choke, but it was all boxing in rounds 2 & 3, with Lobb utilizing the right hook in a showcase of some striking skills. A barrage of punches ended the fight standing at 2:36 of round 3 as the referee stopped the contest.

Tuff-n-uff amateur MMA vet Tsui-Jen “Soo Bee Doo” Cunanan gets her first win as a pro over Jackson’s MMA own Kelley Renee via majority decision.

And in her debut, Jodie Esquibel made an impressive pro-debut in the Strawweight division by defeating Brittany Horton via TKO at 3:59 of round 1.

Toughill (left) upset in comeback vs. Sanchez (right) Courtesy FCF

It was a tough night for Erin Toughill.

At the Freestyle Cage Fighting 46 card in Shawnee, OK, Ashley Sanchez beats Toughill by unanimous decision. Sanchez was also returning to the cage after a two year absence, having fought at 135 pounds her last outing in a unanimous decision loss to Sarah Schneider. Sanchez goes 2-2, while Toughill receives her first loss on seven years.

In a tightly contested fight, Avery Vilche defeated Sarah Maloy by split decision to earn her second win of her career. Maloy drops to 2-1 in her pro career.

Lucas (left) & Martin (right) at weigh-ins Courtesy FCF

Amanda Lucas didn’t fight as her opponent Heather Martin came in overweight. Martin initially weighed in at 178 pounds for the 165 pound contest, and wasn’t able to drop to 173 pounds to satisfy the Okalahoma State Athletic Commission or the 163 pound Lucas. Martin did issue a public apoligy for missing weight via MMACLVR.com.

Plans are in the works to have Lucas fight in another organization in June.

Lybarger (left) & Cummins (right) Courtesy Tuff-n-uff/Ray Kasprowicz

The undefeated Tuff-n-uff MMA 115 champ Ashley Cummins defeated Jocelyn Lybarger via verbal submission (armbar) at 1:43 of round 1 in Vegas.

Cummins got a takedown early. As Lybarger tried to stand-up after a scramble, Cummins attempted a triangle choke, and transitioned to an armbar.

Cummins stated on our podcast that she has been offered a position on Team USA in the MMA Sports Federation this summer, and soon after, she will be turning pro. Lybarger stated in an interview with us that she has some more fights lined up.

Millard (left) & Mosqueda (left) Courtesy Tuff-n-uff/Ray Kasprowicz

In other matches –

Jocelyn Lybarger’s her twin sister Jillian Lybarger was victorious over Mahlee Rahn via unanimous decision earlier in the card.

In the 145 pound division, Samantha Mosqueda get her first win as an amateur, defeating Rachael Millard via unanimous decision in a dominate performance. Mosqueda and Tuff-n-uff 145 pound champion Taylor Stratford have already agreed to title match, with a date being announced in the next few weeks.

In pro action this weekend Valérie Létourneau defeated Julie Malenfant via TKO 2:15 round 2 at Ringside MMA 10 in Montreal.

European fighter Cindy Dandois 

Cindy Dandois will have to wait to face Gina Carano another time. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, in an interview with MMAFighting's Ariel Helwani, stated he offered Dandois her dream match with Carano. However, Dandois had to back out because she’s 3 ½ months pregnant. This was surprising, as Dandois had just fought three weeks ago in Belgium, defeating Jorina Baars.

Coker stated that he would be announcing Carano’s opponent for the June 18th comeback fight in Dallas in the next few weeks, and they had someone in mind to replace Dandois.

Strikeforce star Gina Carano

Speaking of Carano, she has moved training camps to Jackson/Winklejohns MMA. The Albuquerque based MMA gym run by legendary trainer of champions Greg Jackson, has one of the most solid professional women’s MMA teams; which includes Julie Kedzie and boxer Holly Holm. There is no word if this is a permanent move away from her long time home of Xtreme Couture, or simply a temporary training camp situation for her upcoming match.

Strikeforce 135 pound champion Marloes Coenen

Strikeforce champ Marloes Coenen is getting a home gym in the U.S. Golden Glory, her training gym in the Netherlands, is opening a location in Coast Masa, CA. The grand opening will be in June following Golden Glory’s own Alistair Overeem match versus Fabricio Werdum.

Ais "The Bash" Daly

In an interview with MMARising.com, #5 ranked 125 pounder Aisling Daly announced she has been released from Bellator. Uncertainty of where the women’s division is heading was a deciding factor to drop Daly. Despite her leaving Bellator, she is still a busy fighter with two fights already scheduled. She faces #9 ranked Jessica Eye at NAAFS in Ohio in June, and faces Sheila Gaff for Cage Warriors in London in two weeks.

Speaking of Cage Warriors, they have inked a deal with Fight TV in Canada to air their cards live; so fans in the Great White North will be able to see Daly and top fighter Rosi Sexton on tv in the near future.

JEWELS MMA announced this week they will be holding two cards in Tokyo on May 14 to help benefit the Japanese earthquake victims. They are reaching out to all female fighters in the area and are looking to hold a couple of tournaments as apart of the cards.

Kelly Kobold Courtest MN MMA News

Kelly Kobold makes her return to the cage this weekend as she faces undefeated Pipi Taylor at the Bruutal card in Owatonna, MN. Kobold told us on the Fightergirls podcast that she will be taking this fight at 135 pounds, but will be dropping to 125 pounds after the fight.

Scott (left) & Clark (right) face off in Clovis, NM

Evolution Combat Sports will be hold their Friday Night Fights 3 card in Clovis, NM, with three professional women’s fights.

Local fighter and Jackson/Winklejohn product Heather Clark will face Muay Thai Striker Jennifer Scott in the main event. Clark was interviewed on the Fightergirls podcast this past weekend, and expects an exciting and competitive striking contest with Scott.

Anzaldua (left) faces top 125 pound contender Esparza (right)

Also in action –

#7 ranked 125 pounder Carla Esparza faces Texan Yadira Anzaldua

Celestina Cano faces Meghan Wright

Cassie Rodish feaces Margarita Chavez

Noland (left) faces Blalock (right) in Denver

In the other pro match this weekend, Casey Noland will face Michelle Blalock at Ring of Fire 40: Backlash in Denver, which will be streamed live on Go Fight Live for $10.

That is all for now. Please check out Fightergirls for all your women’s mma news and interviews. Plus follow us on twitter @fightergirls with the most up to the minute breaking news stories in women’s mma.

Also check out the Fightergirls store of all your mma gear and clothing. We also carry Everlast and Cleto Reyes boxing and mma gear.

Until next week.