Strikeforce - Fedor vs. Silva !!!! Heavy Weight Grand Prix Round 1

This is the big kickoff to the Strikeforce: Heavy Grand Prix, with 2 quarterfinal match ups and some reserve bouts. While I'm pretty excited to see a Pride style tournament going down with some of the top heavyweights in the world, I'm pretty sure that we are not going to see the matchups we want, Fedor vs Overeem, Fedor vs Barnett, Fedor vs Werdum, etc. My hope would be to see Fedor win the whole thing.

Strikeforce - Fedor vs. Silva

February 12, 2011, Izod Center, East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States


Matchups:

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva - Fedor is not washed up. Fedor isn't a dried up old man.
The MMA community have quite the short term memory and everything is always judged by your last performance.

Take Anderson Silva last week, for example. At UFC 117 he finally looked mortal against Chael Sonnen and then everyone was writing him off as an old man past his prime. About 50% of fans (and journalists/media outlets) picked Vitor to beat Anderson.

And what happened? Silva kicked Vitor's lights out halfway through the first round.

I think we're looking at a very similar situation with Emelianenko. Fedor got careless against the best 99+ kg Jiu Jitsu guy in MMA and he got caught. Fedor carelessly, more than once, left his arm out for Fabricio to grab a hold of. Fedor was sloppy not outmatched against Werdum. All the time he spent in Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira's guard is proof enough of that.

Keep in mind that the reason Werdum was on his back was that Fedor dropped him with a big flurry.
Antonio Silva is improving as a fighter but I'm not convinced he will be too much of a challenge for the Russian. Silva showed good technical boxing and great head movement in his decision win over Arlovski, and then in his next fight, got dropped hard by Mike Kyle.
I don't worry that Fedor will lose to BigFoot. I'm pretty sure he's going to win.

I think what we looking at is a very real possibility that Fedor will break his hand on Silva's caveman head and will out of the heavyweight tournament.

Maybe in the long run that's for the better. If Fedor is out, there's a good chance Overeem can win the whole thing and have nobody else to fight. Strikeforce could then easily sell the fight everyone wants, Overeem vs Fedor.
I'm taking Fedor by TKO, rd. 1.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov - This is a tough fight to call. While Arlovski is the better mixed martial artist its hard to pick a guy with glass chin. If Arlovski can mix up his punches and strikes he could beat Kharitonov but there's a very real chance that Sergei lands one big shot and its lights out for 'the Pitbull'.

Arlovski has the advantage if the fight gets to the floor but he loves to stand and strike regardless of how weak his chin has been proven to be. (sigh) Reluctantly, I'm going with Arlovski, simply because I am a huge fan and I can't pick against him. Arlovski by TKO, rd. 2.

Shane del Rosario vs. Lavar Johnson - This is a close matchup, and an intriguing fight. Both guys have showed they have sturdy chins, and throw big power.
del Rosario is much better on the ground & is developing a varied submission game. On top of that he is a more technical striker. Johnson has big power and could definitely land a huge shot to make it an early night for Shane, but I'm going with the younger prospect. del Rosario by submission, rd. 3.

Valentijn Overeem vs. Ray Sefo - The other Overeem is not as good as his brother. Valentijn doesn't take well to getting hit. One big shot from Sefo and it could all be over. Sefo is an aged kickboxer and Valentijn's only real chance is to get it to the ground and aim for the sub.

I see Sefo hitting Overeem hard and finishing before it hits the mat. Sefo by KO, rd. 1.

Gian Villante vs. Chad Griggs - Admittedly, I'm not excited for this fight. This Villante guy is a former football player that is an upcoming prospect and he's picking up the MMA game quickly (I hear). Griggs is here because he did what he wasn't supposed to do and beat a gassed out Bobby Lashley. I'll go with Villante by decision but if we somehow don't get to see this one I won't lose any sleep.

Strikeforce: Diaz vs Cyborg - JAN-29-2011

Strikeforce - Diaz vs. Cyborg
January 29, 2011
HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, United States

This is not a deep card but I like the top 3 matchups, and well....Herschel Walker. I'm just gonna throw out my picks for the main card.

Strikeforce Welterweight Championship
Nick Diaz vs. Evangelista 'Cyborg' Santos - This should be a good brawl. Both guys have Jiu Jitsu chops a solid striking game & good chins. I think Diaz's heavy volume & variety of strikes will catch up to Cyborg and wear him down. I'll take Diaz by TKO, rd. 3.
Strikeforce Middleweight Championship
Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza vs. Robbie Lawler - Jacare is the better fighter here. He should be able to use his Judo & Jiu Jitsu skills to get Lawler down and secure top control. I'm smelling upset though. Since Jacare's striking game is so much improved, I think he'll be too confident and may not be so quick to hit the mat & that will lose him the fight. Lawler has big power, combined with Jacare's suspect chin, I see Lawler landing a big shot to put away Souza & become the Strikeforce Middleweight champ. Lawler by TKO, rd. 1.

Roger Gracie vs. Trevor Prangley - This is a great match up. While I'm rooting for Gracie, I see Prangley staying out of submission danger and exploiting Roger's weak stand up skills. If Gracie can get Prangley to the mat he could tap him but I'm leaning Prangley by decision. I really hope this is a good fight.
Herschel Walker vs. Scott Carson - I'm not super interested in this matchup other than seeing the insane physique of the 48 year old Walker & how he's improved since his last fight, a year ago. I'm not familiar with the 4-1 Carson so I assume he'll lose to Walker by, let's say, decision. I think it'd be pretty great if Carson ripped up Walker.

STRIKEFORCE : Heavy Artillery

STRIKEFORCE : Heavy Artillery, May 15, 2010, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri I am really digging this card. I usually don't have much to say about most Strikeforce cards, finding them usually lopsided, but I love the Heavy Artillery card that features great matchups and a lot of live underdogs.

Heavyweight Champion ALISTAIR OVEREEM VS. BRETT ROGERS - I like this fight a lot. While, Overeem is the better technical striker I think Rogers is more durable. I think Rogers will get a takedown, ground & pound for a TKO stoppage in the first round.
ANTONIO 'BIGFOOT' SILVA VS. ANDREI 'the PITBULL' ARLOVSKI - Arlovski has a notoriously weak chin, so I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Bigfoot can land a big shot to put him out, but I think Andrei gets it done. Arlovski is a much better striker and if he can avoid a big shot early, Silva should slow and the Pitbull will him him hard for a TKO stoppage in the third round.
JOEY VILLASENOR VS. RONALDO "JACARE" SOUZA - This is a great match up of 2 solid middleweights. I feel like Jacare is the better athlete and will use his throws, takedowns, & one of the world's best Jiu Jitsu games for a submission, rd. 2.

KEVIN RANDLEMAN VS. ROGER GRACIE - Randleman is pretty shot & should probably hang it up. Roger has probably the best BJJ of all the active Gracie's & is one of the best grappler's in the world, gi or no-gi. Roger is gonna tear a limb off Randleman. Gracie by submission, rd. 1.

RAFAEL "FEIJAO" CAVALCANTE VS. ANTWAIN BRITT - I feel like we're looking at an upset here. Feijao tends to be lazy & at times, seems not to take MMA as serious as he should. I'm hoping to see a good little battle here, but I think Britt's power will make the difference in this one. Britt by KO, rd. 1.

LYLE 'FANCY PANTS' BEERBOHM VS. VITOR 'SHAOLIN' RIBEIRO - I'm a little pissed off that we won't see this fight. These are 2 important fighters for the company & the winner should be on his way to a shot at the title. Shaolin is one of the best lightweights on Strikeforce's roster & Beerbohm is a serious prospect. I'll take Beerbohm to get top position and stay out of submission trouble for a dominant decision victory.

Strikeforce : Nashville on CBS tonight

I've been skipping some Strikeforce cards with my fight picks because I find them to be very lopsided and it's just too esy to pick winners. Now, I won't be picking all or most of this card because I am not familiar with most of the fighters on the undercard and only the 3 Championship fights actually interest me. I am very actually very intrigue by these 3 matchups, hence the post.

Champ Jake Shields vs. Dan Henderson (for middleweight title) - I like Jake Shields but he isn't a middleweight, he is a top 10 welterweight. I could see Shields maybe submitting Hendo but more than likely, Hendo is gonna beat him up reall good. I won't be surprised by a TKO in rounds 3 or 4, but I'll take 'Decision' Dan by decision.

Champ Gilbert Melendez vs. Shinya Aoki (for Strikeforce lightweight title) - I love Aoki, & I am so happy he is fighting stateside but this doesn't look good for the #2 ranked lightweight in the world. Aoki's Japanese style Jiu-Jitsu is incredible to watch, & I would love to se him sub Gil but I can't pick him to win because of his chin. Melendez trains out of Caesar Gracie's camp & should know enough to stay out of submissions, his striking has gotten so much better & I can see him tagging Aoki & putting hium to sleep. Melendez by KO, rd. 1.

Champ Gegard Mousasi vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (for light heavyweight title) - This is fight that I'm most excited for. I really don't know how this plays out. Mousasi is such a naturally talented fighter but Mo is an amazing wrestler with a keen eye for his opponents styles and habits. I'm gonna pick based on experience and say that 'King Mo' is too green and Gegard will get the decision, but i"m not confident in either pick. I just hope it's a great fight.

UFC 104/Strikeforce round up & UFC 105 Picks

I've been neglecting this blog as of late, but rest assured I am back. I had a lot of problems with my computer, I bought a new one, & I am just now all set up & ready to go.


I feel I missed the boat & will be beating a dead horse with my thoughts on the UFC 104: Machida vs Shogun controversy, so I will quickly run down my thoughts on that & last weeks Strikeforce : Fedor vs Rogers.

I really enjoyed the overall UFC 104 fight card & even though the main event was marred by the judges decision, I thought it was a great 5 round title fight. When watching it live, I scored the fight the same as the judges, 48 -47 for Lyoto Machida, with the champ taking the first 3 rounds. After rewatching it I scored it a 48-48 draw, with Machida taking rounds 1& 3, Shogun rounds 4 & 5, an round 2 a 10-10. they will do a rematch as soon as Machida is ready & I think that is great for everyone. More people will watch the second time around & it will turn both Machida & Shogun into household names.

Last weekend was the Strikeforce : Fedor Emelianenko vs Brett Rogers, free on CBS. This was a great card to showcase the top talent that Strikeforce has. I loved the Fabricio Werdum vs Antonio Silva, Gegard Mousasi vs Remeau Sokoudjou , & the Jason 'Mayhem' Miller vs Jake Sheilds fights. It was perfect for Strikeforce too because the main event ran a little long & a lot of people who were tuning in to watch the 11 o'clock news got to see Fedor knock out the huge Brett Rogers.

UFC 105
•Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera - This is the hardest fight for me to pick, but I'll go with Randy to push Vera up against the cage & beat him up for 3 rounds. A lot of people are saying that Vera's Greco-Roman background will help him to counter Randy's great wrestling techniques but I've seen Randy do what he always does against better wrestlers than Vera. On top of that Vera has turn into a counter striker that doesn't really counter, & second guesses himself too much. Vera should've finished Krystof Soszynski & he has all the skills in the world to stop a 46 year old Couture but I'll take Randy by Decision.


•Dan Hardy vs. Mike Swick - Another tough one to call. I think Hardy has the advantage standing up, but as long as Swick comes with a good game plan & takes it to the ground he should get the win. I like Hardy but I don't think he'll get past the more well rounded Swick. Ill take Swick by Decision.

Michael Bisping vs Dennis Kang - I'll take Kang by TKO, rd 3. Kang has the better stand up & he should be able to throw some combo's together & take Bisping down whenever he wants. Bisping doesn't have what it takes to capitalize on Kangs defensive mistakes & when he sees that the fight is not going his way I expect him to get frustrated & lose.

Matt Brown vs James Wilks - Wilks looked good coming off winning the Ultimate Fighter season 9 but it was a pretty poor talent pool. Brown has the better all around skills, the only problem is his cardio. I like Matt Brown to win by TKO rd 2, as long as he doesn't gas.

Aaron Riley vs Ross Pearson - Riley is the lightweight gatekeeper & Pearson should get the win here. Riley is tough as hell though so I think Pearson by Decision.


PRELIMINARY CARD

•Terry Etim vs. Shannon Gugerty - Etim by Decision
•John Hathaway vs. Paul Taylor - Hatthaway by submission, round 2
•Nick Osipczak vs. Matthew Riddle - Osipczak by Decision
•Paul Kelly vs. Dennis Siver - Kelly by Decision
•Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jared Hamman - Hamman by TKO, Round 2
•Roli Delgado vs. Andre Winner - Winner should run over Roli Delgado. Winner by TKO, round 1.

Saturday - Strikeforce

Strikeforce - Carano vs. Cyborg, Saturday August 15, 2009 - HP Pavilion,San Jose, Calif.

Strikeforce Female 145-Pound Championship Gina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos

I was very surprised to see that both ladies made the 145lb weight limit, a problem that both have struggled with in past fights (Cyborg came in 7 lbs over last time & Gina has missed weight in at least 5 of her 7 fights). Gina is the poster girl for women's MMA but unfortunately she's gonna get ripped up by Cyborg. The majority of people want to see Gina win simply because she's pretty to look at & she's super cute in interviews. Cyborg is ridiculously strong & she is a better fighter. Gina doesn't have what it takes to put away Cyborg.

I'm taking Cyborg by TKO in the 3rd round to become the first Strikeforce Women's 145lb Champion.

Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship

Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi

Without this fight I honestly would not be as interested in this fight card. Great job by Scott Coker & gang to pick up this Affliction fight to replace the Overeem/Werdum Heavyweight Championship match. This is a very tough fight to call. I believe Mousasi is destined for greatness. I like Babalu as well, but I can see Mousasi having the better stand up & if it goes to the ground Gegard has enough of a Jiu Jitsu game to defend against submissions.

I like Mousasi to use a variety of strikes & maybe some top position ground & pound for a TKO in the 3rd, & become the new Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight Champ. I really hope this is a good fight.

Strikeforce Lightweight Championship Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida

Josh Thompson remains injured so this is for the interim Lightweight belt. A lot of people are saying Ishida is going to out wrestle Melendez like he did when they first met on New Years 2007, in Japan. Gilbert has improved a lot since their first bout & I got a feeling he's gonna come out the victor this time around.

Melendez by Decision

Jay Hieron vs. Jesse Taylor

This was supposed to be Nick Diaz & Joe Riggs for the Strikeforce Welterweight belt. Riggs got injured so they brought in Jay Hieron. Diaz didn't get his fighter license renewed because he can't stop smoking pot. Strikeforce brought in Ultimate Fighter 7 alumni Jesse Taylor.

It is no longer for the title but is still a solid welter weight match up. Taylor has improved a lot in the short time since his highlight reel submission loss to CB Dollaway, in July 2008, & has put together a string of 7 wins in a row. I think this will be a competitive match but I think Hieron has the tools to diffuse what Taylor does best. It wouldn't surprise me too much if Taylor came out on with a 'W' but I'm thinking it's going to be Hieron by Decision.




Fabricio Werdum vs. Mike Kyle

This fight isn't on the main card but I hope we get to see it. Werdum should win this. He is more skilled in every department, has one of the best Jiu Jitsu games in the Heavyweight division, & from the looks of the weigh-in pictures he is in shape.
Kyle wasn't suppose to win his last fight against Rafael 'Feijao' Calvacante & Werdum wasn't suppose to lose his last fight against Junior 'Cigano' dos Antos. Werdum should win easy & set up a possible fight with Fedor.
Werdum by Submission, round 1.

I'm not going to pick any more of the undercard fights. I don't know most of the fighters & most likely we won't get to see the fights.