Strikeforce: Miami Preview
The California-based Strikeforce promotion returns to Showtime this
Saturday night with two hungry welterweights vying for the vacant
crown.
Strikeforce: Miami will also feature the undisputed
queen of female MMA defending her title for the first time, in addition
to the Strikeforce debuts of a Dutch powerhouse, a former Heisman
Trophy winner and a professional wrestler.
Although the UFC remains the No. 1 organization in the sport, Strikeforce is rapidly gaining steam and popularity.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker offers a brand of MMA that delivers fights at the highest level with world-class caliber talent.
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on tap for Strikeforce: Miami this Saturday night on Showtime (Super Channel in Canada):
-Nick Diaz (20-7) vs. Marius Zaromskis (13-3)
Diaz,
a UFC veteran with career wins over the likes of Gleison Tibau, Josh
Neer, Robbie Lawler and Chris Lytle, is on the longest winning streak
of his career.
Since losing to K.J. Noons because of a
laceration at EliteXC: Renegade in November 2007, Diaz has been
delivering sharp performances in the cage, effectively stopping all
five of his opponents.
In his last two outings, Diaz defeated
Scott Smith and Frank Shamrock to prove that he’s a force to be
reckoned with in two weight divisions. The six-footer Diaz outlanded
Smith 207 strikes to 31 when they faced off last year.
The
Cesar Gracie BJJ black belt has exhibited some of the craftiest
submission skills in the game, in addition to world-class cardio. Diaz
regularly competes in triathlons as part of his training.
A
native of Stockton, Calif., Diaz has experience competing under just
about every major promotional banner. At PRIDE 33 in February 2007,
Diaz submitted top-ranked lightweight Takanori Gomi with a gogoplata.
However, that win was later overturned when Diaz tested positive for
marijuana.
With training partners like Gilbert Melendez and
Jake Shields, the 26-year-old is rightfully exuding more confidence
every time he steps into the cage.
In addition, Diaz’s lethal
hands have evolved to the point that he signed a boxing contract with
Don Chagrin last August. Before making his mark in the sweet science,
Diaz will first get a crack at becoming a welterweight champion in the
sport that he has been mastering since 2001.
The
Lithuanian-born Zaromskis captured the DREAM welterweight title in
Japan last year after wins over Seichi Ikemoto, Japanese legend Hayato
Sakurai and standout American wrestler Jason High.
A veteran of the British Cage Rage circuit, Zaromskis is a dangerous kickboxer with a base in wrestling.
Perhaps
most impressive is the fact Zaromskis has knocked out his last three
foes with sensational highlight reel head kicks, reminiscent of the
Mirko “Cro Cop” era in PRIDE.
Both Diaz and Zaromskis are
southpaws and it is likely they will engage in a standup battle, though
Diaz will experience his greatest success on the mat.
Diaz must be considered the favourite based on his recent performances and marquee wins.
This
fight will be the biggest challenge of Zaromskis’ career, by far.
Despite impressive showings overseas, Zaromskis still has a lot to
prove whereas Diaz has already faced some of the best opposition in the
sport.
The x-factor in this fight will be Zaromskis’ striking.
With 11 out of 13 wins by knockout, the London Shootfighters product
has significant power.
On one hand, Diaz is more efficient and
liberal with his striking as he likes to throw out a lot of jabs and
straight punches before eventually wearing down his opponent.
Zaromskis,
meanwhile, is more of a one-hit wonder. If Diaz keeps his hands low,
Zaromskis could catch him early and put him to sleep.
As this
bout enters the third, fourth and fifth rounds, the conditioning dynamo
Diaz will wear Zaromskis down with a cavalcade of strikes before
putting him away by either TKO or submission.
Verdict: Diaz via Submission, Round 4
-Cris “Cyborg” Santos (8-1) vs. Marloes Coenen (17-3)
Interestingly,
Santos and Coenen were slated to face off at an XMMA event last year in
Montreal, Canada. However, Santos could not compete as she was
immediately signed to a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.
The
Brazilian export “Cyborg” is a wrecking machine in female mixed martial
arts. A member of the Chute Boxe Academy, “Cyborg” has amassed wins
over top female fighters Vanessa Porto, Shayna Baszler, Yoko Takahashi,
Hitomi Akano and, most recently, Gina Carano.
Now a purple belt
in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Cristiano Marcello, the wife of fellow
Strikeforce combatant Evangelista Santos is more than just a heavy
hitting powerhouse.
Coenen, a product of Holland’s world-class
Golden Glory gym, is a solid submission grappler with dangerous
striking. She avenged one of her three career losses by submitting
Roxanne Modafferi last November.
Coenen should not be
underestimated as she will present a tough test for Santos’ first title
defense. Coenen is more experienced, in addition to having a tremendous
camp behind her.
However, the champion has brought a relentless
pace in her last few bouts and her domination of Carano to claim the
title last year was her most impressive showing to date. Although
Coenen may be more technically proficient, Santos’ sheer power is
likely to be the deciding factor in this battle as she puts Coenen away
via TKO in the second round.
Verdict: Santos via TKO, Round 2
-Robbie Lawler (16-5) vs. Melvin Manhoef (24-6-1)
In
a real treat for fans, Strikeforce matchmakers have put together a
middleweight slugfest between two of the division’s toughest fighters.
Lawler,
the last reigning EliteXC middleweight champion, is on the rebound
trail after a submission loss to Jake Shields last June.
The
HIT Squad member possesses victories over Scott Smith, Murilo Rua,
Frank Trigg, Joey Villasenor, Falaniko Vitali, Chris Lytle and Tiki
Ghosn. With experience competing for the UFC, IFL, EliteXC, PRIDE and
King of the Cage, Lawler has banged with the best of them.
Nicknamed “Ruthless,” Lawler is no stranger to high-level fights.
His submission wrestling base should be a decisive advantage against Manhoef.
But
Lawler, a great boxer, also likes to trade fists. If Lawler fails to
revert to his traditional wrestling and engages Manhoef in a slugfest,
he is likely to go to sleep early.
Manhoef will be making his
long awaited North American debut and hardcore fans can attest to the
Dutchman being one of the most entertaining fighters out there.
The
former Cage Rage light heavyweight champion is a Muay Thai specialist
with world-class kickboxing experience competing for K-1. In recent
MMA contests, Manhoef has beaten Kazuo Misaki, Mark Hunt and Kazushi
Sakuraba.
Lawler is a great striker himself, but Manhoef is that much better.
That
being said, Lawler’s coach Matt Hughes should be able to convince him
to take Manhoef down where he is most vulnerable. If Lawler succeeds,
he will capitalize on Manhoef’s rudimentary ground game for the
submission win.
Verdict: Lawler via Submission, Round 1
-Herschel Walker (0-0) vs. Greg Nagy (1-1)
In what may seem too ludicrous to be true, one of the NFL’s all-time greats is taking a plunge into MMA at the age of 47.
However, this fight is hardly going to be the freak show many fans are expecting.
Even
at 47, Walker is the epitome of a dedicated athlete. He’s put in his
MMA training for over two years and is serious about pursuing the sport.
Unlike
Jose Canseco, who took a stab at MMA last year, Walker has been
training extensively with the American Kickboxing Academy under Javier
Mendez and Bob Cook.
The two-time NFL Pro Bowler has been able
to benefit from world-class training partners such as Josh Koscheck,
Jon Fitch, Cain Velasquez, Josh Thomson, Cung Le and Trevor Prangley.
Both Bobby Southworth and Luke Rockhold, Walker’s teammates at A.K.A., are adamant he’s the real deal.
Walker
is attempting MMA because he legitimately wants to challenge himself,
not because he needs a paycheck. He will be giving his full fight purse
to charity.
At just 1-1, Nagy is also a relative novice to the
sport. The 26-year-old Rage in the Cage veteran vows not to be a
sacrificial lamb or stepping stone for Walker. Born in Hungary, Nagy
now resides in the U.S. where he too has fully dedicated himself to the
sport.
Given the nature of this fight, it is impossible to
predict a winner. However, I will give Walker the benefit of the doubt
and the slight edge.
Verdict: Walker via TKO, Round 1
-Bobby Lashley (4-0) vs. Wes Sims (22-12-1)
Rounding out the main card is another heavyweight showdown as Lashley makes his Strikeforce debut against Sims.
The pro wrestler Lashley trains at American Top Team where he has been building on his collegiate wrestling base.
Lashley
has put his stint with TNA Wrestling on hold to focus his attention to
MMA. Unbeaten in four pro bouts, Lashley is coming off the biggest win
of his career — a first-round stoppage of Bob Sapp last June.
Upon
transitioning into MMA from sports entertainment, many pundits were
already comparing Lashley to UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
While he may have the WWE experience and the same massive frame, his
collegiate wrestling credentials are not quite the caliber of Lesnar’s.
But with a full-time camp at ATT, Lashley could become a major heavyweight contender.
Sims,
who has trained at Hammer House under Mark Coleman, is a UFC veteran
whose career highlight was a win over Kimo Leopoldo in 2006.
Most
recently, Sims was featured on The Ultimate Fighter where he was a
teammate of Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson on Team Rampage. Sims was
eliminated after getting choked out by Justin Wren in the first round.
Despite
having the benefit of more experience, Sims has lost most of his
high-profile bouts and this one should be no different. Sims has
dropped bouts to Dan Severn, Frank Mir, Mike Kyle, Antoni Hardonk, Tim
Sylvia, Travis Fulton and Canadian Steve Bosse.
Lashley should make an impact in his debut by taking Sims down and pounding him out in the opening stanza.
Verdict: Lashley via TKO, Round 1
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