LAS VEGAS, NV January 7, 2011 – It’s time for the first MMA card of the year for the Showtime network with Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight. Tonight’s show will be headlined by a Strikeforce 185 title bout featuring champion Luke Rockhold defending the belt for the first time since winning it against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza against former UFC-fighter Keith Jardine. Also appearing on the card are “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal, Robbie Lawler, Tyrone Woodley, and more.
All five of the main card bouts listed below will be televised LIVE on Showtime beginning at 10PM EST/PM Central. The preliminary card will also be televised on Showtime Extreme as part of the cable network’s “Free preview weekend” beginning at 7PM so feel free to tune in to that channel if you want to catch all the action early.
Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine – Fight Card
Main card (Showtime)
Middleweight Championship bout: Luke Rockhold (c) vs. Keith Jardine
Middleweight bout: Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov
Light Heavyweight bout: Muhammed Lawal vs. Lorenz Larkin
Welterweight bout: Tyron Woodley vs. Jordan Mein
Welterweight bout: Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson
Preliminary card (Showtime Extreme)
Welterweight bout: Nah-Shon Burrell vs. James Terry
Light Heavyweight bout: Trevor Smith vs. Gian Villante
Lightweight bout: Estevan Payan vs. Alonzo Martinez
Lightweight bout: Ricky Legere vs. Chris Spang[6]
Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine – Main Card Preview and Predictions
Welterweight bout: Tarec Saffiedine (-450) vs. Tyler Stinson (+300)
Raul Rangel – Tarec Saffiedine has gone to a decision his last three fights. Tyler Stinson is up and coming. Tarec won’t see him as a threat in the first.
Prediction: Tyler Stinson by split decision.
Mike Calimbas – I think this is an interesting fight with Saffiedine coming is as the favorite. It’s true that’s gone to a decision in his last 3 bouts but he’s also gone 4 out of 5 with his only loss being to Tyrone Woodley. Brock Larson couldn’t hold him down and Scott Smith couldn’t beat him standing. I don’t see any way Stinson can win this fight. Furthermore, I see Saffiedine getting back to finishing in this one.
Prediction: Tarec Saffiedine, TKO in the second round.
Welterweight bout: Tyron Woodley (-370) vs. Jordan Mein (+280)
Raul Rangel – Tyron Woodley is a strong wrestler with great Jits but Jordan Mein has great defensive skills. The problem is Mein has never faced an opponent of Woodley’s wrestling stature and that’s going to make the difference.
Prediction: Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision.
Mike Calimbas – With Nick Diaz moving on to the UFC, Tyrone Woodley is pretty much the next big star for Strikeforce to develop at 170 and he’s got skills. He’s undefeated in his last 10 with wins over the aforementioned Saffiedine, Andrew Galvao, and Paul Daley. Mein is a tough young kid riding his own win streak but I don’t think he’s got anything for Woodley in this one. Tyrone may get the finish but the smart money is on another decision win.
Prediction: Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision.
Light Heavyweight bout: Muhammed Lawal (-600) vs. Lorenz Larkin (+400)
Raul Rangel – Muhammad Lawal is a great wrestler and has only 1 loss to “Feijao” back at Strikeforce Houston. Meanwhile, Lorenz Larkin remains undefeated. Larkin has never really faced a strong wrestler up to this point of his career and King Mo is the type of fighter that knows how to wear out his opponents.
Prediction: Muhammad Lawal by TKO in the second round.
Mike Calimbas – Larkin is an undefeated fighter that’s displayed a flashy arsenal of strikes in his 12 victories so far but he hasn’t faced a fighter at the level of “King Mo” just yet. The thing with being so explosive/flashy as a knockout-minded fighter is that you can leave yourself susceptible to takedowns. If he leaves such an opening rest assured Lawal will take it and take it easily. Lorenz may have the proverbial puncher’s chance but that’s about it in this one. I’ll actually go with “King Mo” getting the first submission of his career in this one.
Prediction: Muhammad Lawal by submission in the first round.
Middleweight bout: Robbie Lawler (-170) vs. Adlan Amagov (+140)
Raul Rangel – Robbie Lawler needs a win badly in this one. Both he and Adlan Amagov like to stand and bang. Lawler will tire Amagov out on the ground eventually finish him in the third round.
Prediction: Robbie Lawler by knockout in the third round.
Mike Calimbas – Lawler definitely does need a win after losing 3 out of his last 4 fights. The Russian Amagov comes into this fight not having lost since his debut back in 2007 and has won both of his bouts stateside while fighting on Strikeforce Challengers cards. As far as we know, he’s a strong grappler who likes to take his opponents down and hurt them with his hands there. Just the type of fighter “The Ruthless One” has had problems with in the past. If he’s successful in the takedown department we may be looking at an upset special in this one.
Prediction: Adlan Amagov by unanimous decision.
Middleweight Championship bout: Luke Rockhold (-550) vs. Keith Jardine (+375)
Raul Rangel – This is Keith Jardine’s first stab at middleweight so we don’t know how he’ll handle the weight cut. Everyone sleeps on Luke Rockhold but the kid has a great ground game. Jardine is a vet though and can weather the storm but in the end, Rockhold will hold him down for more rounds to get the victory.
Prediction: Luke Rockhold by split decision.
Mike Calimbas – Keith Jardine was once a fighter to contend with in the past but he’s lost 7 out of 12 since 2007 with 1 draw in there as well in a fight he should has lost to Mousasi. The fact that he’s getting a title shot here in a division he’s never fought before is ludicrous. Rockhold surprised many after handling “Jacare” Souza to win this belt back in September but he also finished two tough wrestlers in Paul Bradley and Jesse Taylor before that. Jardine may have the name value and the unorthodox style but Rockhold has the skills (and the title) at this point. Look for him to keep both while Jardine continues his decline.
Prediction: Luke Rockhold by unanimous decision.
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