(Rex Ryan saying hello to Miami Dolphins fans)
This past Saturday Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker loaded up his circus van with ex-Heisman winning football players and WWE Champions and cruised down to Miami, FL to give blue collar folks like us and Rex Ryan a MMA show worth remembering.
In the main event of the evening Nick Diaz faced DREAM Welterweight Champion Marius Žaromskis for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. Diaz’s punches-in-bunches style proved to be too much for the Lithuanian striker as he earned himself a TKO victory in the final half minute of the first round. It was another incredible display of striking for the Stockton native and when you add his Gracie black-belt to the mix you have to start thinking this guy might legitimately be the best welterweight in the world (yes, that is George St Pierre’s division… what’s your point?). Diaz claimed it was the hard training camp and help of his teammates that earned him the victory, but we all know it was his brother’s pep talk at the :07 mark…
One of the driving forces behind the card was 47-year-old football legend Herschel Walker. Walker had been training at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose for the bout, one of the premiere MMA gyms in the world. He also donated his entire six-figure paycheck to charity, proving he wasn’t just another broke ex-great trying to make a buck. He seemed to do everything right in the lead-up to the bout to earn the respect of “hardcore fans,” and fortunately he didn’t embarrass himself when it came time to do business inside the cage. He earned a TKO victory against previously 1-1 Greg Nagy. He certainly didn’t prove to be a world-beater but he managed to put on an impressive performance and bring new eyes to the sport, making his debut a shinning success. Herschel, you’re my hero.
The card also featured Dutch knockout artist Melvin Manhoef making his Strikeforce debut against “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler. As you may have guessed if you know the two fighters, this match didn’t go to the judges cards, or even the second round for that matter. Most of the 3:33 fight was spent with Manhoef stalking Lawler around the cage, throwing powerful leg-kicks in attempt to open up a knockout opportunity. The opportunity eventually came but unfortunately for Manhoef it opened for Lawler, who threw and overhand bomb that put Manhoef to sleep. The come from behind victory is without a doubt the early favorite for “Knockout of the Year.”
Rest of the pack:
* Cristian “Cyborg” Santos defended her Women’s 145 lb. Championship against Marloes Coenen. The Brazilian champion spent most of the fight tossing Coenen to the mat and ground-and-pounding her mercilessly until the ref finally stopped the bludgeoning in the third. I don’t know that there is another women in the world that can compete with Cyborg right now, it’s almost hard to watch.
* Ex-WWE champion Bobby Lashley fought and won his 5th bout against UFC veteran Wes “A-Hole Show” Sims. Sims is bat-shit crazy and took the fight against the 260 lb. ball of muscle on one weeks notice. Lashley suggested that he may be challenging the cream of the crop in the heavyweight division sooner than expected to silence his critics. Scott Coker inferred a bout against Brett “Grim” Rogers could be next.
Tags: MMA, strikeforce
diaz is a thugggggg but he’s LEGIT!
Not too sure how I found this blog but glad I did find it. Think I was looking for something else on google. Not sure I agree 100% with what you say, but have bookmaked and will pop back to read to see if you add any more posts. Keep up the good work.
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