Ronda Rousey has become household name overnight it seems, the 1-0 amateur fighter with a shiny Bronze medal to her credit I first spoke to a few years ago has quickly morphed into a must-see attraction catching mainstream attention posing respectfully nude for ESPN or bashing celebrities, anything that the California resident does, we are interested.
Saturday night in the midst of a crazy media storm Rousey will lay her women’s 135-pound crown on the line against her toughest challenge to date, Sarah Kaufman, the former carrier of that title.
Along with that, we have former middleweight king Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in action, along with a host of interesting prospects.
Being the annoying person that I am, I pestered the MMASucka staff to give me some predictions on how they think the action will go down on Saturday night, let’s take a look at what they have to say, shall we?
Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman
Jeremy Brand: I really want to say Sarah Kaufman is going to beat Ronda Rousey, as she is our home grown talent here in my home province of British Columbia, however I don’t think she is going to. Ronda has too many tools in her pocket. Even though we haven’t seen her on her feet all that often, as her fights are so short, I believe she will get it done.
Ronda Rousey by second round submissionJP Lasaleta: I can’t go against my BC girl in this one. I think Rousey’s inexperience is going to be exposed against Kaufman’s aggressive style.
Sarah Kaufman by second round TKOJustin Faux: I want to pick Sarah Kaufman here, I mean if you look at it, realistically she has all the tools striking to score the knockout or overwhelm her and take her into deep waters but I have to lay my support with the champion. The key reason, Miesha Tate, a fine wrestler in her own right wasn’t ragdolled and treated like a child that had never been on the mats before, when Rousey gets a hold of her, she can do damage.
Sucka’s picking Ronda Rousey: 2
Sucka’s picking Sarah Kaufman: 1Middleweight bout: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Derek Brunson
Jeremy Brand: I feel this is a serious step up in competition for Derek Brunson, who has only ever fought on Strikeforce Challengers cards. With all hands pointing to the winner of this possibly fighting Luke Rockhold, then one must think that is even more added pressure to Brunson. Many people believe that Jacare should get a rematch to reclaim his belt, including the champ Rockhold.
Souza by first round submissionJP Lasaleta: Brunson is just way over his head. There is no competition for Jacare outside of Tim Kennedy or Luke Rockhold. Just another reason why strikeforce needs more depth in certain divisions.
Souza by first round submissionJustin Faux: The overwhelming consent from my colleagues is that Derek Brunson isn’t ready for the former 185-pound champ, and I cannot disagree. The three-time NCAA Division I All-America wrestler is an interesting prospect with some real skills but with the striking development and world-class wrestling of Souza, I don’t see him lasting until the final bell.
Souza by second round TKOSucka’s picking Souza: 3
Sucka’s picking Brunson: 0Welterweight bout: Roger Bowling vs. Tarec Saffeidine
Jeremy Brand: Both Saffiedine and Bowling are on two fight winning streaks, however Saffiedine’s have been decisions and Bowling has won decisively by KO/TKO. I worry for Saffiedine in this fight, especially if he comes in heavy, because we saw what he did to Jerron Peoples.
Bowling by first round TKOJP Lasaleta: Bowling hits way too hard for Tarec Saffeidine to keep his regular decision winning pace
Bowling by first round TKOJustin Faux: Maybe I’m just an idiot (the most likely outcome) but I haven’t seen anything that tells me Bowling is anything more than a power-puncher, I feel that Saffeidine is a well-versed striker that has a strong pace that most can’t keep up with, I feel that the Belguim native will get it done on points here.
Saffeidine by Unanimous DecisionSucka’s picking Bowling: 2
Sucka’s picking Saffeidine: 1Middleweight bout: Lumumba Sayers vs. Anthony Smith
Jeremy Brand:- Every single one of Sayers fights he has either won or lost in the first round and I see this one being no different. Smith is a seasoned veteran of the sport, but I see Sayers using that to move up the ladder.
Sayers by first round TKOJP Lasaleta: Don’t know much about either but Smith is a veteran of the sport so I will pick him to win by knockout.
Smith by first round TKOJustin Faux: Really a sink or swim fight for Sayers, personally I think he has enough tools to get the job done and probably do so in highlight-reel, Mauro Ronallo screaming at the top of his lungs fashion. biggest asset are his hands, and I expect him to put a hurtin’ on Smith here.
Sayers by Unanimous DecisionSucka’s picking Sayers: 2
Sucka’s picking Smith: 1T.J. Cook vs. Ovince St. Preux
Jeremy Brand: St. Preux was looking to get into title contention, before he was knocked off his horse by Gegard Mousasi. TJ Cook will also look to get back in the win column, however I don’t think that will happen. St. Preux has fought the better fighters throughout his career and I believe that will be the difference in this fight.
St-Preux by Unanimous DecisionJP Lasaleta: It will be a classic OSP beat down as he looks to rebound after his loss to Mousasi. He’s just so physically imposing that I see most opponents not able to withstand his physical pressure
St-Preux by first round TKOJustin Faux: I have to co-sign with the rest of the crew here, St-Preux has been one of Strikeforce’s babies, a prospect that they have nurtured and really taken care of, his fight with Cook is set up for him to dominate with powerful wrestling and good striking for fifteen minutes.
St-Preux by Unanimous DecisionSucka’s picking St-Preux: 3
Sucka’s picking Cook: 0
Well, there is what we had to say on the night of action, but of course we are wrong and you know better right? Tell us so below in the comments section.
Please god avoid the hip toss!
Third round Kaufman slam brings the title back home.