Category: Events (Page 43 of 45)

      Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley Picks & Predictions

      April 9, 2011 /

      nullStrikeforce returns to Showtime tonight at 10 p.m. ET with two title fights and four total bouts on the main card. Here are my thoughts on those four contests.

      Strikeforce Welterweight Championship: Nick Diaz (24-7-1) vs. Paul Daley (27-9-2) – I like Diaz to retain his title in this bout as I think he has the better all-around skills. Daley has great punching power but is one dimensional. Once the fight hits the ground, Diaz will easily be in control and score a submission. Don’t sleep on Diaz’ striking either, as his jab has been able to cause problems for other strikers in the past.

      Strikeforce Lightweight Championship: Gilbert Melendez (19-2) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (27-6-2) – Melendez should be able to handle Kawajiri, who is making his first jump into the U.S. Kawajiri didn’t bother to train in a cage for this fight, which I think will be a problem. I like Melendez to work his striking and mix in some takedowns to earn another decision victory.

      Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Bout: Gegard Mousasi (30-3-1) vs. Keith Jardine (17-9-1) – Jardine is a late replacement for Mike Kyle, but I think he is a tougher opponent. Jardine has some big-fight experience, but has been on a bit of a downslide in his career. This should be a striker’s fight, and Mousasi has the faster hands and more power to work with. I look for him to land a clean punch on Jardine and earn a TKO finish in the second round.

      Strikeforce Lightweight Bout: Shinya Aoki (26-5-1) vs. Lyle Beerbohm (16-1): Beerbohm is a game fighter but I think this bout will ultimately go to the ground, and that is where Aoki should be able to take over. His slick and crafty submissions should be too much for Beerbohm to defend. I like Aoki to score a submission victory in the opening round.

      Events, Fighters, Strikeforce

      Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley weigh-in results

      April 8, 2011 /

      nullThe two title fights for Saturday’s Strikeforce card are now official as all four competitors weighed in on Friday night.

      In the main event, Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz (169.75 pounds) and contender Paul Daley (169.5) both weighed in under the 170-pound limit. Following their weigh ins, the two had an intense face-to-face stare down and had to be separated by officials as they yelled back-and-forth at each other.

      In the co-main event, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (154.75) and challenger Tatsuya Kawajiri (154.25) also weighed in under their 155-pound limit, making their championship fight official.

      The main card also features a light heavyweight clash between Keith Jardine and Gegard Mousasi while Shinya Aoki takes on Lyle Beerbohm in a lightweight contest.

      The main card will air live on Showtime starting at 10PM ET.

      For complete weigh-in results (courtesy of MMAMania.com), check the jump.

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      Events, News, Strikeforce

      Nick Diaz ain’t no punk

      April 8, 2011 /

      nullNick Diaz is never one to run from a fight or a confrontation.

      He fought Joe Riggs in a hospital after a decision loss to him at UFC 57 and let’s not forget about his role in this little scuffle following the Jake Shields-Dan Henderson Strikeforce bout on CBS.

      Well, on Thursday, MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, who is one of the most widely-recognized MMA reporters in the world, got a chance to speak to Diaz about his upcoming welterweight title fight with Paul Daley on Saturday.

      What took place made even me uncomfortable. (see video here)

      Early in the interview Diaz expresses his lack of respect for Helwani and then takes it a step further at the 4-minute mark, giving more detail.

      Diaz has always been an interesting figure, but picking on Helwani doesn’t really need to be done. As a reporter that has covered college and high school sports, I don’t see Helwani as someone that is digging up the dirt. He is simply doing his job.

      Diaz did make some interesting points during the interview about judging in MMA and how the U.S. has the wrong system, but that all gets lost in his antics. Even his body language during the interview was disrespectful.

      Nick is a great fighter and clearly doesn’t care what people think of him. That’s fine, but he should stick to picking his fights with fighters, not credible reporters.

      Events, Fighters, Strikeforce

      Despite White’s claims, Daley may still have a UFC future

      April 6, 2011 /

      nullIt was just about 11 months ago that Paul Daley made the biggest mistake of his MMA career.

      Following a clear decision loss to Josh Koscheck at UFC 113, Daley threw a punch at Koscheck well after the bell for the third and final round.

      There was no doubt it was a sucker punch as Daley was frustrated by Koscheck’s ability to out-wrestle him for three rounds. Add to that Koscheck’s trash talk during the bout, and Daley was a little hot under the collar.

      The sucker punch combined with clear eye gouging late in the fight got Daley cut from the UFC and President Dana White stated that Daley would never fight for the promotion again.

      However, things have gotten interesting as Zuffa, the owner of the UFC, has now purchased Strikeforce, Daley’s current home. Daley will be fighting Nick Diaz for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship on Saturday night.

      The general feel is that eventually the UFC will bring Strikeforce fighters in once the promotion runs it contract out with Showtime. But, would the UFC take in Daley?

      Continue reading »

      Events, Fighters, Strikeforce, UFC

      Silva vs. Leben set for UFC 132, can it live up to the hype?

      April 5, 2011 /

      nullIf you were going to have a blue print for an exciting slugfest, you would probably put down Wanderlei Silva and Chris Leben to participate.

      Well, that dream fight appears to be a reality as UFC President Dana White made the announcement on UFC.com on Monday.

      “Two fan favorites will go to war as Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben has verbally agreed to face Wanderlei ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva in Las Vegas July 2nd.”

      This fight has been rumored since Leben stepped in for Silva to submit Yoshihiro Akiyama back at UFC 116. This clash has all the makings for a classic. Both guys are strikers who aren’t afraid to stand up with any opponent.

      However, there have been plenty of fights in the past that were billed as “fight of the decade” in terms of two guys expected to slug it out and the end result was anything but. Need I remind you of the recent Dan Hardy vs. Anthony Johnson wrestle-fest?

      I don’t think that will be the case in this bout as both fighters are more concerned about putting on a show than winning. I expect plenty of leather to fly and likely a knockout finish for one of the two.

      Leben is coming off a loss and is in need of an impressive victory. Silva has now been off for well over a year and has to be hungry to have an exciting fight.

      This bout is a great addition to an already impressive UFC 132 card as Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber will meet for the bantamweight title while Tito Ortiz will put his career on the line against Ryan Bader.

      Events, Fighters, News, UFC

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