Just to be clear, there was a Strikeforce: Challengers event last weekend highlighted by impressive performances by Carlos Fodor, and Lorenz, and Justin Wilcox on Showtime. That one does count in the post-sale Zuffa era but this upcoming event is most definitely the first big show since Scott Coker turned the reigns over to Dana and company.
Now they (Dana and crew), did say it would be ‘business as usual’ for the foreseeable future but it will be interesting to see if any noticeable changes appear on Saturday’s broadcast. We’ve already seen some as Strikeforce has adopted the Unified Rules for MMA, allowing elbows on the ground. It remains to be seen whether the Zuffa-owned Strikeforce will also be adopting other popular practices like offering fighters bonuses for knockout, submission, and fight of the night performances.
Guess we’ll see Saturday night LIVE on Showtime what changes or if it really, in fact, ‘business as usual’ for the time being.
As for the card itself, the event will be headlined by an exciting welterweight championship matchup as champion Nick Diaz defends against former UFC exile Paul “Semtex” Daley. A devastating striker, Daley was cut from the UFC nearly a year ago after an incident where he threw a punch at Josh Koscheck after a frustrating defeat. Since then, he’s reeled off four wins in a row, including a statement KO win against Scott Smith is his Strikeforce debut in December. Now Daley looks to take out the Cesar Gracie trained champion, who was recently known as one of the most talented fighters in the world NOT fighting for Zuffa.
Once known for his impressive BJJ skills, Nick Diaz has added some of the world’s bet boxing to his arsenal in recent years, dominating other impressive strikers like Marius Žaromskis, Scott Smith, Evangelista Cyborg, and K.J. Noons in the process. A winner of eight-straight, Diaz will look to silence the brash “Semtex” in this one in a bid to clean out the Strikeforce welterweight division, a feat he is close to accomplishing.
In the co-headliner, the Strikeforce lightweight championship will be on the line as Nick Diaz teammate Gilbert Melendez defends his strap against Japanese crusher, Tatsuya Kawajiri. Once known as one of the top pound-for-pound lightweights in the world, with victories over Yves Edwards, Gesias Cavalcante, and Vitor Ribeiro, Kawajiri be facing a tough test in Melendez, a well-rounded champion who owns two out of his last four straight victories over Kawajiri’s countrymen, Shinya Aoki and Mitsuhiro Ishida.
Also on the card is Dutch-Armenian kickboxing specialist Gegard Mousasi. Originally scheduled to take on the injured Mike Kyle, Mousasi will now be taking on the returning “Dean of Mean’ Keith Jardine, who returns to Zuffa after recovering on the regional circuit with two wins after being cut from the UFC. At 30-4, the 25-year-old Mousasi is still considered one of the top young light-heavyweight prospects in the world but will face a tough test from “The Dean,” who has beaten Brandon Vera, Chuck Liddell, and Forrest Griffin while testing countless other top fighters while in the UFC.
Rounding out the card will be a lightweight submission battle between two colorful fighters, and quite literally at that, as Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm takes on the Grand Master of Flying Submissions and Tobikan Judan, Shinya Aoki. Known as one of the top submission artists in the MMA world, Aoki is coming off three straight victories since losing in his last Strikeforce appearance against current champion Gilbert Melendez. Across from him, Beerbohm is looking to right the ship after losing in his bout (in Austin, TX) against upstart Pat Healy.
Let’s go ahead and call the card as we see it and watch it unfold on Saturday night.
Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley
Preview and Predictions
Welterweight Championship bout: Nick Diaz (c) vs. Paul Daley
Paul Daley seems to have mistaken Nick Diaz’s silence leading up to this event as a signal that the Stockton native is ‘scared’ or intimidated by the hard-hitter from England. Truth be told, “Semtex” does hit hard but so does K.J. Noons – and Diaz stood with him and outboxed him for the win. If this goes to the ground, Diaz has the clear advantage, so clear in fact that the result there is rudimentary.
Prediction – Nick Diaz via submission in round 3.
Lightweight Championship bout: Gilbert Melendez (c) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajir’s strong suite has always been his strength in the clinch, wrestling ability, and ground-and-pound ability. Unfortunately, Melendez has him beat in all three of those areas and is also in his prime whereas Kawajiri drove past that mile-marker somewhere in 2005. The champion will be able to take this fight to the ground anytime he sees fit and grind out an overmatched Kawajiri.
Prediction – Gilbert Melendez via TKO in round 3.
Light Heavyweight bout: Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine
Life’s about second chances and Keith Jardine is getting another one after two fights away from the bright lights of the big leagues to right himself after five straight UFC losses. Unfortunately, taking this fight on one’s week notice is a tough cross to bear. While Jardine does have a quirky striking style that confounds many opponents, he is taking on of the world’s best MMA kickboxers in Mousasi, who trains with some of the best Holland has to offer. Look for Gegard to time his shots better and eventually find an opponent to put Keith down for good.
Prediction – Gegard Mousasi via TKO, in round 2.
Lightweight bout: Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm
Coming off a tough loss to Pat Healy in his life fight, “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm will find it tough to get going against his international opponent. Known as a wrestler and submission artist, Beerbohm will be facing one of the best submission grapplers in the world in the experienced Aoki, who will more than likely get the fight to the ground and dominate the action once it gets there.
Prediction – Shinya Aoki via unanimous decision.
What are your thoughts on this card? Who do YOU think will win? Comment and let us know!