Tonight, live from San Jose, California, Strikeforce brings us a live show that will see two titles on the line and the return of crossover star Herschel Walker. Make sure to read my preview of the main card for the lowdown on what to expect from Strikeforce’s first major event of 2011. Join me live here tonight as I bring you all of the action and then later tonight on Inside Fights Radio as we discuss the results.
Main Card
Nick Diaz (169.5) vs. Evangelista Cyborg (169.5) for the Welterweight title
Jacare Souza (184.25) vs. Robbie Lawler (184)
Herschel Walker (220.75) vs. Scott Carson (214)
Roger Gracie (206) vs. Trevor Prangley (205.25)
Hello, this is Chris Roberts coming to you live from the comfort of his living room in New York, NY as I will be bringing you the results as they happen tonight. First, as always, let’s take a glance at the prelim results from earlier tonight.
Armin Safiari def. Sam Bracamonte via unanimous decision
Ricky Jackson def. Niko Jackson via unanimous decision
Anthony Dariano def. Alan Perez via unanimous decision
Jenna Castillo def. Charlene Gellner via TKO (Round 2, 3:57)
James Terry def. Lucas Gamaza via TKO (Round 1, 3:26)
Germaine de Randamie def. Stephanie Webber via KO (Round 1, 4:25)
Ron Keslar def. Eric Lawson via Submission (Round 1, 1:57)
Isaiah Hill def. Bobby Stack via Submission (Round 1, 1:02)
Nate Moore def. Nate Coy via KO (Round 2, 0:25)
Very happy to see that Pat Miletich has graduated to the big time. Frank Shamrock is still there, which is better than Gus Johnson but if I ruled the world that third seat would belong to Stephen Quadros……
Light Heavyweight Bout: Roger Gracie (3-0) vs. Trevor Prangley (23-6-1)
Round 1- The nine year age difference here is significant but Prangley has worlds more experience in the MMA universe. Exciting and interesting matchup put together here by the folks at Strikeforce. Both look relaxed though neither are eager to engage. Gracie quite obviously looking for the takedown here but isn’t able to get it early on. Gracie pins Prangley up against the cage and lands some weak knees. They break but Gracie quickly steals a takedown, not where Prangley wants to be. Prangley is playing good defense, Gracie is obsessing over wrist control. Gracie works his way into a mount position though Prangley still seems somewhat safe. Prangley nearly slides out from under it but Gracie catches him and goes for a choke. One minute to go, Gracie locks on a body triangle and mixes it with his deadly rear naked choke forcing the veteran to tap out.
Roger Gracie def. Trevor Prangley via Submission (Round 1, 4:19)
Quick interview with Fabricio Werdum. Mauro Ranallo asks him if he should be considered the favorite. He’s one of the favorites, for sure, but what a terrible, rotten, no good draw that poor guy got taking on Alistair Overeem in the opening round. You would think a win over Fedor would have bought him a bit more than that.
Heavyweight Bout: Scott Carson (4-1) vs. Herschel Walker (1-0)
Round 1- Strikeforce switches into freak show mode with their second fight of the evening. The announce booth is vibrating with adoration as they remind us that he is an American icon and then inform us about his dietary habits. Carson comes out kicking. Walker returns fire with a strike that knocks Carson over. Walker swarms him, delivering punches and gaining back control. Carson stands up but Walker slams him back down. Ranallo is falling out of his chair with excitement. Walker retains back control and lands some soft-ish looking knees to Carson’s side. Walker knocks Carson’s mouthpiece out, Carson seems resigned to just ducking and covering. Carson rolls, Walker hovers over him, Carson tries to stand but Walker levels him, he falls over and the ref calls the match awarding it to Walker. Questionable stoppage but there is no denying that Walker was in control from the opening seconds.
Herschel Walker def. Scott Carson via TKO (Round 1, 3:13)
Middleweight Title Bout: Jacare Souza [c] (13-2) vs. Robbie Lawler (20-6)
Round 1- Exciting stuff here. Slow start and already the crowd is on them. Lawler attacks first with a flying kick, Souza defends well, pushes him up into the cage and parlays that into a takedown. Souza easily moves into side control and then North South position. Souza seems to have his eye on Lawler’s arm. Souza’s jiu jitsu seems to be too much for Lawler. Lawler works hard and gets back to his feet and a fantastic slugfest breaks out. TO nobody’s surprise the ruthless one gets the better of that, Souza is hurt by the fists and falls to the ground. Lawler can’t help himself and goes for the finish, Souza takes advantage and traps him down there with him. Referee John McCarthy stands them up after a minute or so and again these two start swinging wildly. Souza lands a nasty body kick, Lawler returns fire and the two are tangled up as the round ends. Super close round, I’m going to go 10-9 Lawler though this could turn out to be an all important round.
Round 2- Souza goes for a takedown, Lawler sprawls but eventually Souza gets what he wants. With Lawler on the ground and pinned up against the cage Souza moves to a full mount position. Souza starts throwing bombs from the top and some are landing. Souza tries for an arm triangle choke but Lawler defends it perfectly. Once again Lawler seems trapped on the bottom and Souza is landing shots here and there. Souza spends some time in side control, Lawler tries to escape and gets clubbed with a right. Souza goes for a leg lock, Lawler gets out, Souza rolls and gets a dangerous arm bar that Lawler miraculously escapes. Souza keeps the pressure on and gets yet another ugly arm bar on, but right before he’s able to snap Lawler’s arm he loses his grip on it. Lawler gets control for the top 10 seconds or so, no matter, all Souza that round. 10-9 Souza
Round 3- Souza pounces early and nails some nice Muay Thai knees. Lawler lands one or two of his world famous fists. Souza wisely goes for the takedown and gets it once again. The beginning of this round looks eerily similar to the last one. Lawler tries to escape but Souza is so deadly as he takes his back and goes with the body triangle, rear naked choke that worked so well for Roger Gracie earlier in the evening. It turns out to be too much for Lawler as he taps out and Jacare remains the Strikeforce Middleweight champion.
Jacare Souza def. Robbie Lawler via Submission (Round 3, 2:00)
Welterweight Title Bout: Nick Diaz [c] (23-7) vs. Evangelista Cyborg (18-13)
Round 1- The camera pans over to Cris Cyborg for the first of many shots during this fight. She is ready to fist pump and show off her title belt. Both combatants have their game faces on tonight. Cyborg comes out trying to kick Diaz’s leg clear off. Diaz seems unimpressed, the crowd is massively behind Diaz. Diaz brawls his way into a tie up. Diaz starts to box, Cyborg is happy to oblige and hits him back and harder. Cyborg is bringing the violence whereas Diaz seems to want to dance his way to victory like he did against KJ Noons. Cyborg starts wailing away on Diaz’s face. Each one has murderous intent. Diaz comes back and starts to unload, the crowd goes absolutely wild. Miletich points out that Cyborg is gassed and that Diaz is not. Diaz starts connecting with jabs. Diaz hits a few more light jabs to end the round. I’m going 10-9 Cyborg though clearly by the end of the round the momentum had shifted to Diaz.
Round 2- They both exchange violent blows to open the round. Diaz is running his mouth, his trash talk is a thing of artistry. Diaz starts to lean on the jab and Cyborg is becoming more and more reliant on the leg kick. More stand up action though the flow has slowed by the middle of this round. Cyborg his a gruesome uppercut, Diaz doesn’t flinch. Cyborg continues to swing a little wild and Diaz waits for him to miss then plugs him with a shot of his own. Cyborg grabs the back of Diaz’s head and goes for the knee but misses. Spinning kick by Cyborg lands on Diaz’s rear end. Cyborg then gets a takedown, but Diaz is ready for it and rolls it into a armbar than finishes Cyborg in a matter of seconds.
Nick Diaz def. Evangelista Cyborg via Submission (Round 2, 4:50)
I guess now Diaz can safely start preparing for Paul Daley and/or Tyron Woodley. Great main event, easily the fight of the night. After the fight Diaz dodges the question of who he wants to fight next (GSP?) and goes with the company line proclaiming his loyalty to Strikeforce and Showtime.
That is all for me tonight, tune in later to MMA 24/7 and keep tuning in to Inside Fights for further news and analysis.
