Why You Should Watch Strikeforce: Diaz vs Cyborg

One of my main concerns regarding Strikeforce as a company is the potential for them to sputter out in the next few years as they run out of intriguing match-ups, particularly to hoist as main events. The heavyweight tournament will no doubt help matters to a degree but not every show the company runs will feature tournament bouts, leaving many cards to fend for themselves using smaller fighters, which are harder to market without name recognition. Strikeforce: Diaz vs Cyborg is one of the weaker cards so far this year given it is presented by a major promotion, but it is not without value. This is the epitome of a showcase event, every fight featuring a clear favorite. You may want make a retroactive look at this one after seeing the results but don’t letthe whole show go without a glance. There is top tier talent, blue-chip prospects, and interesting style clashes… not to mention a football legend.

Roger Gracie vs Trevor Prangly

If you have heard of Prangly it is most likely because he recently picked up a win over former UFC fighter Keith Jardine. In this fight Prangly is the canvas, not the paint. He will be the backdrop so that we can get a better look at unbeaten Roger Gracie (pictured), the unlikely heir apparent to the Gracie throne. This is a fight that Gracie is supposed to win, building him as a future contender for the 205-pound title and could be an attractive fight if Gracie can demonstrate an improving skill set, winning impressively. While Prangly doesn’t present what one might call a monumental test, he is talented enough and veteran enough push the young Gracie. Keep an eye on Gracie’s game plan and technique to see if he can demonstrate some of the world-class ground game he is widely renowned for in the submission/grappling community.

Herschel Walker vs Scott Carson

I don’t need to tell you who Herschel Walker is, at least I hope not. The football legend has taken up professional fighting as a hobby, quite literally. Self admittedly, he is not a title contender nor does he want to be. He enjoys fighting and testing himself against trained professionals. Generally speaking, I like him and his place in the sport. He brings eyes to Strikeforce and in turn it’s other talent. Walker demonstrates what a world-class athlete can still accomplish with minimal training in MMA. We see more supreme athletes every year enter the sport and Walker is proof that they can still find some degree of success. Matchmakers have done well to present him with winnable fights as well. I know almost nothing about Carson. He fought at 205 pounds until 2001, racking up a 4-0 record. Since then he has managed one fight and lose in 2010. With guys like Walker we are always just waiting for them to hit their wall but I expect him to hold Carson down and beat up on him until the ref decides that enough is enough.

Ronaldo Souza (185lb. Champion) vs Robbie Lawler

This is the one fight that really catches my eye on the card. A classic grappler vs striker battle, Souza vs Lawler is the fight to watch if you are only going to watch one. Souza will attempt to get this fight to the floor as soon as possible, likely using some simple, rangy stand-up to set up his take down. Lawler will look to keep the distance and catch Souza on the chin. I tend to think this will end before the time is up one way or another, likely with Souza finding a way to succeed. Souza has only two loses. One of them came in his first fight as a professional and other came as a result of up-kick, on that seemed almost fluky, from a man who went on to find success at 205 lbs. See if Souza can keep momentum going bring further legitimacy to another Strikeforce belt. The alternative is more parody in Strikeforce, a company that could use some stability.

Nick Diaz (170 lbs. Champion) vs Evangelista Santos

The name Santos should ring a bell. Evangelista is the husband of the greatest female fig in the world. Unfortunately the male “Cyborg” is not nearly successful in his respective division. His two-fight win streak was enough to earn him a title shot against one of the most underrated fighters in the world. Nick Diaz (pictured) has found a great deal of success since leaving the UFC. The only things standing between Diaz and a 14-fight win streak are a cut stoppage and a no contest ruling after failing a drug test for marijuana that whipped one of the sports most impressive submissions from the record. Still 12/14 is nothing to stake a stick at. I always encourage people to watch Nick Diaz. He likens himself a fight artist, criticizing the use of cages because they block people from seeing his technical ground-work. His stand-up is nothing if it isn’t effective with relentless, pinpoint accuracy. Expect Diaz to pick Santos apart until he is primed to finish the fight. Diaz’s reach and technical prowess in all areas will be simply too much. On the bright side this could be exemplary fight for fans who want to see what Diaz is all about. Strikeforce is showcasing their welterweight champion for a reason so it is worth a gander.

Quick Hits

Fighters to Watch: Nick Diaz, Roger Gracie

Fight to Watch: Ronaldo Souza vs Robbie Lawler

Questions to Answer: Can the fighters who are supposed to win continue their momentum? Will Roger Gracie continue to improve? Will Souza and Diaz impress enough to move up the ranks in their respective divisions?