July 14, 2012
Rose Center
Portland, Oregon
Main Card (Showtime):
Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy The AKA Champion has been running game over the Strikeforce Middleweight division while Tim has been absent for a year with an injury. The Jackson/Winkeljohn product wants a grappling contest while Luke will be happy to use his long reach and myriad of kicks to keep his challenger guessing. Kennedy won't have the speed or offensive arsenal to hang with Rockhold who slowly but surely pulls away winning a 25 minute judges nod or a late stoppage from an exhausted 'Merican soldier.
WINNER-Luke Rockhold by Decision
Vacant Welterweight Title Fight
Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley Nate made weight and is off the TRT so everyone is curious as to he will accomplish a year and 4 months off after being fired by the UFC. "T-Wood" has been pining for his title shot while being criticized with the "boring" label, and remaining an undefeated 10-0. This is an interesting bout since we are not sure how the normally well rounded Nate is going to fair against the wrestle only style of his younger opponent. The gap has been closing as opponents get closer and closer to beating Woodley who is continually leaning on his engulfing wrestling. Save for the wrestling, Marquardt is better everywhere else and did once give G.O.A.T. Anderson Silva a run. I should not be picking such a flake of a person, but I just don't see Woodley being able so score enough points while gassing out in the end.
WINNER-Nate Marquardt by Decision
Robbie Lawler vs. Lorenz Larkin The "Ruthless" one only comes to do 2 things. Avoid the ground at all costs, and punch your face off. The "Monsoon" will be more than happy to throw fists and sports a perfect 12-0 record (thanks to "King Mo's steroid use). Can Larkin take the brutal soul crushing punishment Lawler can deliver in a single strike? Rob used a flying knee to decapitate Adian Amagov but without the worry of a ground assault, Lawler is going to focus in on his striking with sound mind and in a brawl against "Ruthless," you go down and go down hard for the deep sleep.
WINNER-Robbie Lawler by Rd.1 KO
Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine The “Dean” returns from his 6th (T)KO loss at Middleweight prompting the question as to why Keith is still getting licensed to fight. Gracie is a legit Jiu-Jitsu stud who is also giving 185 a try with a large reach advantage. The striking is going to be as ugly as Jardine's boxing stance but Roger is going to get his hands on Keith and abuse him on the ground. If, IF, Jardine doesn't get KO'd by a glancing jab he will be tapped when he misses a leg kick and gets taken to the wood shed.
WINNER-Roger Gracie by Rd.2 Submission
Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy The AKA Champion has been running game over the Strikeforce Middleweight division while Tim has been absent for a year with an injury. The Jackson/Winkeljohn product wants a grappling contest while Luke will be happy to use his long reach and myriad of kicks to keep his challenger guessing. Kennedy won't have the speed or offensive arsenal to hang with Rockhold who slowly but surely pulls away winning a 25 minute judges nod or a late stoppage from an exhausted 'Merican soldier.
WINNER-Luke Rockhold by Decision
Vacant Welterweight Title Fight
Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley Nate made weight and is off the TRT so everyone is curious as to he will accomplish a year and 4 months off after being fired by the UFC. "T-Wood" has been pining for his title shot while being criticized with the "boring" label, and remaining an undefeated 10-0. This is an interesting bout since we are not sure how the normally well rounded Nate is going to fair against the wrestle only style of his younger opponent. The gap has been closing as opponents get closer and closer to beating Woodley who is continually leaning on his engulfing wrestling. Save for the wrestling, Marquardt is better everywhere else and did once give G.O.A.T. Anderson Silva a run. I should not be picking such a flake of a person, but I just don't see Woodley being able so score enough points while gassing out in the end.
WINNER-Nate Marquardt by Decision
Robbie Lawler vs. Lorenz Larkin The "Ruthless" one only comes to do 2 things. Avoid the ground at all costs, and punch your face off. The "Monsoon" will be more than happy to throw fists and sports a perfect 12-0 record (thanks to "King Mo's steroid use). Can Larkin take the brutal soul crushing punishment Lawler can deliver in a single strike? Rob used a flying knee to decapitate Adian Amagov but without the worry of a ground assault, Lawler is going to focus in on his striking with sound mind and in a brawl against "Ruthless," you go down and go down hard for the deep sleep.
WINNER-Robbie Lawler by Rd.1 KO
Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine The “Dean” returns from his 6th (T)KO loss at Middleweight prompting the question as to why Keith is still getting licensed to fight. Gracie is a legit Jiu-Jitsu stud who is also giving 185 a try with a large reach advantage. The striking is going to be as ugly as Jardine's boxing stance but Roger is going to get his hands on Keith and abuse him on the ground. If, IF, Jardine doesn't get KO'd by a glancing jab he will be tapped when he misses a leg kick and gets taken to the wood shed.
WINNER-Roger Gracie by Rd.2 Submission
Prelims (Showtime Extreme):
Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota “Bam Bam” has quietly made his case for Lightweight #1 contender during his current 4 fight winning streak. Hirota is a tough enough guy coming over from the Japanese scene but Pat will be much stronger smothering Mizuto with his wrestling advantage.
WINNER-Pat Healy by Decision
Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson “Young Gun” is back from his close Split-Decision loss to Welterweight contender Tyron Woodley, along with his great striking and improved grappling. The “Evolution” is a tough enough guy but his striking falls short against Jordan and finds the evening quite long.
WINNER-Jordan Mein by Decision
Jason High vs. Nate Moore MMAFO fan favorite, the “Kansas City Bandit,” has rocked six opponents in a row and has been begging for a fight. Strikeforce finally called Nate from AKA. High’s wrestling is going to fluster Moore who will then lose the stand up war in fear of the takedown.
WINNER-Jason High by Decision
Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte The “Natural Jr.” is now 4-1 in MMA meets a very athletic and more experienced Arena fighter who just out worked the always gritty Jorge Gurgel. Ryan has never impressed me and he will have to absorb a very active early attack from Duarte who will look to jump all him early and then pull a submission or face getting out worked on the scorecards. The odds are against Couture but it should be a fun spirited fight.
Upset Pick WINNER-Joe Duarte by Decision
Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox “Gamebred” returns after giving a solid effort against Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, but losing the close Split-Decision. The “Silverback” was poked in the eye for a NC a year ago and then returned to a 13 second KO loss to Caros Fodor. Justin has potentially crippling wrestling while Jorge is a striker who has mostly fought strikers in his career. “El Nino” tested his obviously stalwart takedown defense and Masvidal will be looking to give Wilcox back to back KO losses. Jorge is ready for a letdown after losing the title bout while Justin is dialed in after 2 very frustrating bouts in the last year and a safe fight employing G&P.
Upset Pick WINNER-Justin Wilcox by Decision
Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota “Bam Bam” has quietly made his case for Lightweight #1 contender during his current 4 fight winning streak. Hirota is a tough enough guy coming over from the Japanese scene but Pat will be much stronger smothering Mizuto with his wrestling advantage.
WINNER-Pat Healy by Decision
Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson “Young Gun” is back from his close Split-Decision loss to Welterweight contender Tyron Woodley, along with his great striking and improved grappling. The “Evolution” is a tough enough guy but his striking falls short against Jordan and finds the evening quite long.
WINNER-Jordan Mein by Decision
Jason High vs. Nate Moore MMAFO fan favorite, the “Kansas City Bandit,” has rocked six opponents in a row and has been begging for a fight. Strikeforce finally called Nate from AKA. High’s wrestling is going to fluster Moore who will then lose the stand up war in fear of the takedown.
WINNER-Jason High by Decision
Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte The “Natural Jr.” is now 4-1 in MMA meets a very athletic and more experienced Arena fighter who just out worked the always gritty Jorge Gurgel. Ryan has never impressed me and he will have to absorb a very active early attack from Duarte who will look to jump all him early and then pull a submission or face getting out worked on the scorecards. The odds are against Couture but it should be a fun spirited fight.
Upset Pick WINNER-Joe Duarte by Decision
Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox “Gamebred” returns after giving a solid effort against Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, but losing the close Split-Decision. The “Silverback” was poked in the eye for a NC a year ago and then returned to a 13 second KO loss to Caros Fodor. Justin has potentially crippling wrestling while Jorge is a striker who has mostly fought strikers in his career. “El Nino” tested his obviously stalwart takedown defense and Masvidal will be looking to give Wilcox back to back KO losses. Jorge is ready for a letdown after losing the title bout while Justin is dialed in after 2 very frustrating bouts in the last year and a safe fight employing G&P.
Upset Pick WINNER-Justin Wilcox by Decision
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