STRIKEFORCE: Evolution December 19, 2009
HP Pavilion in San Jose, California
Main Bouts (On Showtime):
Cung Le (6-0) vs. Scott Smith (16-6) The San Shou superstar takes a brief hiatus from Hollyland to battle "Hands Of Stone" Smith. Scott doesn't so much look for wins anymore as he tries to keep things exciting and leave the fans clamoring for more which he usually accomplishes in dramatic fashion. Here he will be out gunned as former Middleweight Champion Le uses his kicks like jabs to ensure distance before slowly setting up the end. Eventually as Cung "Fu" finds his range from the outside, a body kick will hurt Scott leading to a flurry of hands that bring Frank Shamrock out of his seat screaming for a rematch.
WINNER-Cung "Fu" Le by Rd.2 TKO
Lightweight Champion Josh Thompson (16-2) vs. Gilbert Melendez (16-2) Its the long, long awaited rematch of bangers who bring well rounded games. Gil became the "interim" Champion when the "Punk" broke his leg on 2 separate occasions. This will be Josh's 1st bout in 13 months but his crew at AKA claim he is better than ever. Equal wrestling skills and gas tanks mean this could go a long time much like the 1st meeting but Thomson having a bit of an edge on the feet. "El Nino" will have to tone down the sloppy striking and hope for some ring rust against a guy who can barely edge him out in almost every category. Neither man will probably be able to finish the other, but expect a high paced amazing fight with the bad guy getting the "w."
Lightweight Champion Josh Thompson (16-2) vs. Gilbert Melendez (16-2) Its the long, long awaited rematch of bangers who bring well rounded games. Gil became the "interim" Champion when the "Punk" broke his leg on 2 separate occasions. This will be Josh's 1st bout in 13 months but his crew at AKA claim he is better than ever. Equal wrestling skills and gas tanks mean this could go a long time much like the 1st meeting but Thomson having a bit of an edge on the feet. "El Nino" will have to tone down the sloppy striking and hope for some ring rust against a guy who can barely edge him out in almost every category. Neither man will probably be able to finish the other, but expect a high paced amazing fight with the bad guy getting the "w."
WINNER-Jackass Thomson by Decision
Matt Lindland (21-6) vs. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2) Both Middleweights make their debuts for Strikeforce with Matt wanting to employ his wrestling and prove he can take a punch after Vitor Belfort starched him into the floor in a scary scene. Ronny has ridiculously sick Jiu-Jitsu on the floor and improved striking thanks to Wanderlei Silva. I just believe at 39, the "Law" isn't the man he used to be. His slow and steady brawl style will not work against an attacker who will bother you with his hands just enough to drag you to the hell that is his technically brilliant mat work. The gas and work ethic just aren't there for the Team Quest Godfather as "Jacare" steps into the spotlight.
Matt Lindland (21-6) vs. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2) Both Middleweights make their debuts for Strikeforce with Matt wanting to employ his wrestling and prove he can take a punch after Vitor Belfort starched him into the floor in a scary scene. Ronny has ridiculously sick Jiu-Jitsu on the floor and improved striking thanks to Wanderlei Silva. I just believe at 39, the "Law" isn't the man he used to be. His slow and steady brawl style will not work against an attacker who will bother you with his hands just enough to drag you to the hell that is his technically brilliant mat work. The gas and work ethic just aren't there for the Team Quest Godfather as "Jacare" steps into the spotlight.
WINNER-Ronaldo Souza by Rd.3 Submission
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (5-0) vs. Mike Whitehead (24-6) Finally "King Mo" makes his real USA debut (*fights do not count against Mark Kerr anymore) against the always durable if not so exciting "Iron." Look its like this, ask anyone who has trained with this cat and they will tell you he is without a doubt, the future of MMA. The kid was always a stud wrestler, now has pretty good powerful hands, and can trash talk better than Josh Barnett and Tito Ortiz combined. This is the coming out party for the king who may not stop Whitehead who he refers to as the "pimple he is going to pop." but he will win and don't forget the extravagant entrances with eye popping ladies before Mo runs a train on Mikey.
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (5-0) vs. Mike Whitehead (24-6) Finally "King Mo" makes his real USA debut (*fights do not count against Mark Kerr anymore) against the always durable if not so exciting "Iron." Look its like this, ask anyone who has trained with this cat and they will tell you he is without a doubt, the future of MMA. The kid was always a stud wrestler, now has pretty good powerful hands, and can trash talk better than Josh Barnett and Tito Ortiz combined. This is the coming out party for the king who may not stop Whitehead who he refers to as the "pimple he is going to pop." but he will win and don't forget the extravagant entrances with eye popping ladies before Mo runs a train on Mikey.
WINNER-King Mo by dominant decision
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Scott Lighty (5-0) vs. Antwain Britt (9-3) Scott is famous for being Chuck Liddell's "boy" who also trains at the Pit and came from the kickboxing scene. Britt is the large "Juggernaut" who has bit power in both hands and won on TUF Season 8, but a broken hand forced him out of the show. Scott has not faced anyone like Britt yet and quite frankly doesn't blow me away with his "vaunted" striking prowess. This is a fans delight as these 2 bang it out but expect Antwain to eventually put Lighty's lights out.
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Scott Lighty (5-0) vs. Antwain Britt (9-3) Scott is famous for being Chuck Liddell's "boy" who also trains at the Pit and came from the kickboxing scene. Britt is the large "Juggernaut" who has bit power in both hands and won on TUF Season 8, but a broken hand forced him out of the show. Scott has not faced anyone like Britt yet and quite frankly doesn't blow me away with his "vaunted" striking prowess. This is a fans delight as these 2 bang it out but expect Antwain to eventually put Lighty's lights out.
WINNER-Juggernaut by KO Rd.2
Justin Wilcox (7-3) vs. Daisuke Nakamura (20-11) Suke should win this bout but you never know with the "Silverback" looking across at you. He is a tough lil' wrestler wit a go gt em' attitude and will probably have more steam and a relentless attack. Nak is just too wild for my taste.
Justin Wilcox (7-3) vs. Daisuke Nakamura (20-11) Suke should win this bout but you never know with the "Silverback" looking across at you. He is a tough lil' wrestler wit a go gt em' attitude and will probably have more steam and a relentless attack. Nak is just too wild for my taste.
WINNER-Silverback by Decision
David Douglas (4-2) vs. Bobby Stack (6-1) "Tarzan" is crazy fun to watch on the feet, but lacks any real game on the mat where Stack does his business. Clash of styles flip a coin.
David Douglas (4-2) vs. Bobby Stack (6-1) "Tarzan" is crazy fun to watch on the feet, but lacks any real game on the mat where Stack does his business. Clash of styles flip a coin.
WINNER-Bobby Stack by Rd.3 Submission
Alex Crispim (3-2) vs. A.J. Fonseca (4-1) Finally some Featherweights to end the card. If there is 1 thing I have learned about Featherweights, its that I can pick em wrong almost every time. Still, I know who I believe will win.
Alex Crispim (3-2) vs. A.J. Fonseca (4-1) Finally some Featherweights to end the card. If there is 1 thing I have learned about Featherweights, its that I can pick em wrong almost every time. Still, I know who I believe will win.
WINNER-AJ by stopping my Featherweight losing streak
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