Beauty and brains used to be the ultimate one-two combo in judging the amazingness of a lady. Now we are in the age of equality, meaning most women have turned from Suzy Homemaker into Jane Breadwinner. Strength is the new sexy. No wonder some of the sexiest women of 2008 are total knockouts, literally.

Pro boxing/ MMA isn’t just for the guys anymore. Here is a glimpse of the best looking women that are professional ass-kickers. Cat calling these babes could end you up in the hospital.

Melinda Cooper 

Melinda is from Las Vegas , and if you mess with her you are gambling.  She may be easy on the eyes and have a sweet smile, but don’t be fooled. She was born with an iron jaw and has a professional boxing record of 19-0, with 11 KO’s.

Jaime Clampitt

She’s one sweet looking bottle of maple syrup, but go easy fellas, her nickname ain’t “The Hurricane” for nothing.  In the ring she likes to destroy opponents with killer hooks and devastating jabs, and in her free time she watches lots of hockey and drinks tons of Labatt Blue, like any good Canadian should.

Laila Ali

Laila is what you would call “multi faceted”. Not only does she carry on her father’s legacy by pummeling opponents in the ring, but she also models, is involved in numerous philanthropies and is quite the socialite. Many say she is riding Muhammad Ali’s coat tails, but if you were to say that to her face she’d probably break your nose.

“Hotstuff” Hollie Dunaway

Hollie is hot. There is no other way to say it. She could easily be a model, but for some reason she thinks beating up girls is a better way to make a living.  Maybe when she was in grade school, she was made fun of by the cool kids. If that’s the case, I guess it made an impact, because with a pro record of 20-7 with 10 KOs, she’s the one doing the picking now.

Mia St. John

She was born in San Francisco in 1967, but I doubt she has ever attended a Grateful Dead concert or has worn a hemp necklace. Mia is one of the hottest women in boxing and is the current WBA champion with a record of 44-9 with 18 KOs.  St. John is the only Playboy centerfold that has the curves of an angel and the fists of a steelworker. I’d like to see Chuck Norris try to look as good while kicking this much ass.  Better step it up on the Total Gym.

Gina Carano

Gina’s father was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, and there is no doubt that he passed her the gene to take a hit.  She may be a total fox, but underneath it all Carano is a lioness. As a  Muay Thai fighter she is 12-1-1 and  in the MMA cage she boasts a perfect 6-0 record. When Gina takes the gloves off things definitely get nasty.  

Kaitlin Young

As a part time MMA fighter and full time student at University of Minnesota, Kaitlin lives life to the fullest. She studies kinesiology (the study of sexual behavior) with an emphasis on exercise physiology.  I’ll bet she is pretty crazy in between the sheets; I wonder if her bed is a wrestling ring?  Mine is a race car.