As with most female Strikeforce fighters (except for Gina, of course), Erin Toughill is virtually unknown outside of hardcore feMMA circles.  She is, however, the top contender in the 145 lb. weight division and will most likely be the next opponent for Cris Cyborg. So let me bring you up to speed with ten facts about this tough and crazy woman.

• Toughill is 10-2-1 in MMA. She started fighting in 1999. Her biggest win was actually a 1st round knockout of Marloes Coenen back in 2004.
• Toughill also has a pro boxing background, with a record of 8-2-1-1. Her most notable boxing match was a TKO loss to Laila Ali in June 2005.
• Like Gina Carano, Toughill appeared on American Gladiators. Her nickname was “Steel.”
• Toughill was supposed to rematch Coenen in November 2009 at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers. She had to withdraw due to a medical condition we didn’t really need to hear about.
• Sadly, Toughill doesn’t really have a family. Her sister was killed in a drunk driving accident, and her father died from cancer shortly thereafter.
• She had an interesting break-up with her exhusband, fighter Clark Bevans, who filed a restraining order against her less than two years ago.
• Since then, Toughill has gotten remarried to Xtreme Couture Jiu Jitsu coach Neil Melanson. (There are no restraining orders pending that we are aware of.)
• Toughill is notorious for starting all kinds of drama on various internet forums, and has been accused of repeatedly texting fighters who have to pull out of bouts due to injury. This has been alleged multiple times and on several occasions.
• The last fight Toughill had set up after the SF bout with Coenen fell through was against Romy Ruyssen at Freestyle Cage Fighting on Jan. 30. Ruyssen is a 1-1 fighter who hasn’t stepped in the cage since August 2008, so fighting someone 10-2-1 hardly seems fair. Although Toughill said the bout was canceled due to a lack of opponent, sources close to MMA HQ reveal that lack of money was more of an issue.
• Although she is one of the most dominant fighters in the 145 lb. division, Toughill has normally fought at 160. The outcome of a fight between Toughill and Cyborg is too close to call.