Main Card
*Welterweight Title Fight*
Nick Diaz vs Marius Zaromiskis
Dream Promotions welterweight champion Marius Zaromiskis makes his Strikeforce debut against Nick Diaz for the vacant title. Nick Diaz has been on a roll as of late, winning 9 out of his last 10 fights not including his win over the #1 lightweight in the world at the time, Takanori Gomi. His win over Gomi was changed to a no contest after testing positive for marijuana after the fight. Zaromiskis has been on a rampage of his own, winning 5 straight on his way to the Dream title. His last three victories have come by brutal head kicks, spawning the nickname “Lil’ Cro Cop”. On the feet, this fight is really anyone’s game… Diaz has unorthodox boxing, where his strikes come from weird angles that end up messing your face up pretty bad. Zaromiskis will have the power advantage, his hands and legs hit like bricks. On the ground, Diaz has the large advantage. Diaz is a black belt under Cesar Gracie, while Zaromiskis is very green on the ground. I think the first round will be very fast-paced, and Zaromiskis will look for the big KO with the head kicks. If Diaz can avoid the big shot, i see him using his striking skills to annoy and frustrate Zaromiskis and take him out of his game. If this fight hits the ground at any point, i see Diaz grabbing an arm or a neck to finish the fight. If it stays on the feet, Diaz eventually gets a TKO victory in the championship rounds. But when you have power like Zaromiskis, you always have a punchers chance.
Prediction: Nick Diaz def Marius Zaromiskis via TKO – Rd. 4
* Women’s Featherweight Title*
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs Marloes Coenen
Marloes Coenen has been very confident in her striking abilities against Cyborg Santos. Honestly, if she had the striking abilities of BJ Penn, i feel she should do whatever she could to bring this fight to the ground. But then, even if she does get the fight to the ground, Santos is a BJJ Purple Belt under Christiano Marcello. Coenen is a small fish in a shark tank. Cristiane Cyborg Santos has arrived as the top female fighter in the world, and i don’t see that crown being taken away….. ever.
Prediction: Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos def. Marloes Coenen by TKO – Rd. 1
Robbie Lawler vs Melvin Manhoef
Power Striker vs Power Striker. Neither one of these guys are going to look to take this fight to the ground. I think Lawler has a little bit of an advantage in precision striking, giving him the small advantage in the fight. Either one could be going to sleep though.
Prediction: Robbie Lawler def. Melvin Manhoef by KO – Rd. 2
Bobby Lashley vs Wes Sims
It took forever, but Wes Sims ended up being Lashley’s first opponent in Strikeforce. It’s the perfect match-up for Lashley, because Sims will pose no threat and has no problem with receiving a beating. Hopefully, this will be Lashley’s only “gimme” fight and after he dispossess Sims, more worthy challengers will follow. Lashley’s strong wrestling background will be his focus point in this fight. We saw Justin Wren take down and submit Sims with ease on season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter and Lashley if 5x the athlete as him.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley def. Wes Sims by Arm Triangle Choke – Rd. 1
Herschel Walker vs Greg Nagy
In the most hyped fight of the night, 47 year old, Hiesman Trophy winner Herschel Walker makes his MMA debut against Greg Nagy. There really isn’t any information on either fighter to make an accurate prediction. So let’s compare what we do know….
Training:
Nagy has been training since 2008 ; Walker has been training for 3 months. Advantage: Nagy
Camp:
Nagy trains at the RITC Training Center ; Walker trains at American Kickboxing Academy. Advantage: Walker
Age:
Nagy is 25 ; Walker is 47 Advantage: Nagy
Experience:
Nagy has 2 professional fights ; Walker has none Advantage: Nagy
Well there you have it, Nagy (shocks?) the world and defeats Walker 3-1
Prediction: Greg Nagy def. Herschel Walker by TKO – Rd. 2
Jay Hieron vs Joe Riggs
First of all, thank you EASportsMMA.com for airing this fight, since Strikeforce and Showtime are not smart enough to do it themselves. Jay Hieron is probably the best welterweight that the casual MMA fan has no idea about. He’s incredibly dangerous on the feet, and equally as talented on the ground. Joe Riggs has a ton of experience and is tough as nails, but there is just no where in this fight he has an advantage. I like Hieron being able to use his crisp striking to outpoint Riggs in the first round, and then go for the kill in the 2nd. The only chance Riggs has is if this fight ends up in a slugfest, where both fighters are just throwing wild hay-makers.
Prediction: Jay Hieron def. Joe Riggs by TKO – Rd. 2
Prelim Fights
Not worth talking about.
