Sometimes you have to work with the tool you have, that’s exactly what this Saturdays Strikeforce outing is victim of since Zuffa, LLC, the parent company to the UFC have begun stripping the number-two ranked organization for parts they don’t have the star-power to work with that they once had.
Some of the staff here at MMASucka had their say on how tomorrows scraps will go down in a battle for imaginary internet street cred.
Middleweight Championship bout: Luke Rockhold (c) vs. Keith Jardine
Jeremy Brand: I think Jardine is in over his head in this fight. No matter where the fight goes, i believe Rockhold has the advantage. It doesn’t matter whether he looks like a Malibu surf Barbie or not, he is one bad ass scrapper. My prediction is Rockhold by 2nd round submission.
Justin Faux: Let’s face it, Jardine is getting this title shot due to no other options with name value leaving the champion in a lose-lose situation. “The Dean of Mean” lucked out in his last outing getting the draw against Gegard Mousasi due to an illegal up-kick but he is still a threat to Rockhold. The champion can stick on the outside and move in and out on his opponent on the feet and should beable to take this bout to the floor whenever he pleases, Luke Rockhold via third-round TKO stoppage.
JP Lasaleta: For his middleweight debut, Jardine has a tough job ahead of him, especially if he has to go 5 rounds. Rockhold showed in his fight against Jacare that he could take a punch, and that he has the cardio to push the pace all 5 rounds. I don’t think Rockhold will be able to stop Jardine, unless Jardine gasses out before the last round, but he will be able to out strike him. Luke Rockhold via Unanimous Decision
Middleweight bout: Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov
Jeremy Brand: Not many people know who Amagov is, but this dude is a bad ass striker, which is a good matchup for his opponent Lawler. Lawler has lost two in a row and i believe this fight will put him into retirement. I think that this fight will show that he has not evolved much as a fighter. My prediction is Amagov by 1st round TKO.
Justin Faux: Here is a fight that will largely be contested on the feet and will probably be a real crowd pleaser. Despite being in the twilight of his career Lawler still brings one-punch knockout power to the table but I don’t foresee him being able to get inside to put Amagov away. Adlan, the AMA product likes to use his kicks to keep his opponents at bay and is quicker than Lawler who will tire early, Adlan Amagov via Unanimous Decision.
JP Lasaleta: Almost had to flip a coin for this one. Both are spectacular finishers. I had to go with Lawler on experience and Amagov’s flashy style may put him in a bad position that Lawler will capitalize on, Lawler via TKO.
Light Heavyweight bout: Muhammed Lawal vs. Lorenz Larkin
Jeremy Brand: This is the first matchup on the card that is a tough one to call. Larkin is 12-0 and looking to catapult in the rankings, whereas Mo is already right up there in the Strikeforce rankings. King Mo won his last match against a very tough Roger Gracie and looks to keep on the winning path. If this fight goes to the ground Mo will decide that. My prediction is King Mo by Unanimous Decision.
Justin Faux: I know it’s one of the most tired clichés in the sport, second only to the infamous “in the mix” but styles make match-ups and that’s exactly what is going to happen here. Larkin is a flashy striker who packs a lot of power but the real difference is the world-class wrestling pedigree of King Mo. Lawal can get in close, close the distance and work his clinch game or power him down with his double-leg, either way I’m taking King Mo via a late third round ground-n-pound stoppage.
JP Lasaleta: Again, I have to favor the wrestler in this bout. Mo has the higher wrestling pedigree to dictate the pace of the match and has the stopping power to finish Larkin, Lawal via first round TKO.
Welterweight bout: Tyron Woodley vs. Jordan Mein
Jeremy Brand: My pick for fight of the night, not only because it’s a great matchup, but because it’s a good old Canadian boy. Woodley is the Strikeforce veteran and holds a perfect 9-0 record, but Mein has more fights under his belt with a record of 23-7. My prediction is Jordan Mein by 3rd round TKO.
Justin Faux: Although I see Mein as a hot prospect and someone who could in future hang with his UFC counterparts I think Woodley will be too much for the Canadian. Woodley is a proud NCAA Division I wrestler and that’s exactly what hes going to use to win – He uses his strikes to set up his takedowns well and when he gets his opponents to the mat he has an aggressive top game and likes to search for the submission but I don’t see him getting it. Tyron Woodley via Unanimous Decision.
JP Lasaleta: I hate to bet against a likeable Canadian kid like Mein, but I believe that Woodley’s wrestling will be too strong for Mein to overcome, Woodley via Unanimous Decision.
Welterweight bout: Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson
Jeremy Brand: This is another tough one to call as many people don’t know much about Stinson even though he has been around for quite some time. I am gonna flip a coin and call this one Stinson by Unanimous Decision.
Justin Faux: This is a really interesting bout; Stinson is the larger fighter with a clear reach advantage who could pick him apart if this was a boxing match but I feel that “The Sponge” can get the fight to the floor where I think he has a clear edge and is definitely the biggest hole in Stinson game with 5 of his 7 career defeats coming by submission. Saffiedine via second-round submission.
JP Lasaleta: Saffiedine will do what he does best in keeping Stinson at a good distance and out pointing him with some beautiful striking, Saffiedine via Unanimous Decision.
Welterweight bout: Nah-Shon Burrell vs. James Terry
Jeremy Brand: James Terry Unanimous Decision
Justin Faux: James Terry via Unanimous Decision
JP Lasaleta: Burrell via 2nd round TKO
Light Heavyweight bout: Trevor Smith vs. Gian Villante
Jeremy Brand: Trevor Smith via 2nd round submission
Justin Faux: Trevor Smith via 2nd round submission
JP Lasaleta: Trevor Smith via 1st round submission
Lightweight bout: Estevan Payan vs. Alonzo Martinez
Jeremy Brand: Alonzo Martinez via Unanimous Decision
Justin Faux: Estevan Payan via Split Decision
JP Lasaleta: Alonzo Martinez via first round submission
Lightweight bout: Ricky Legere vs. Chris Spang
Jeremy Brand: Chris Spang by first round TKO
Justin Faux: Chris Spang via second round TKO
JP Lasaleta: Ricky Legere via second round TKO
