Las Vegas Weekly

March 26, 2009 · 9:51 AM

Female MMA fighters enter the ring at The Orleans

By Robin Leach

Fighter Latasha Marzolla.

Photo: Ray Kasprowicz/www.ultravista.com

Fans are reveling in the courage and stamina of the no-holds-barred female fighters in the Tuff-N-Uff amateur championships -- and on July 10, the entire fight card will be ladies only. But tomorrow night, Ann Wyborny takes on Jessica Laubacker and Amber Stautzenberger battles Maria Witt in the ring at The Orleans ballroom.

2004 Playboy model of the year and local kickboxer Latasha Marzolla was set to make her highly anticipated amateur MMA debut, but she injured her elbow, arm and hand in a fall during practice workouts. The fight against Lalena Desautels, who has trained in Kyokushin Karate, will be rescheduled.

There are 18 bouts on the card, including three world championship titles and two semifinals. Sexy UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste will kick off the festivities and sing the National Anthem.

Forget basketball’s March Madness because this is the real deal when it comes to insanity. This is where the future stars of MMA get their first taste of fame and fortune. It’s all proved so popular with fans that to accommodate the crowds, Tuff-N-Uff is getting ready to move from the ballroom into The Orleans Arena on May 30 for the Grand Prix showdown.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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