Strikeforce has really emerged as one of the better promotions out there now. This card has some good talent and big names on it (well on the main card) and with no other MMA or any other combat sports on this weekend, it’ll make for good viewing. Headling the bout is a fight between EliteXC Welterweight and Middleweight champions Jake Shields and Robbie lawler at a catchweight of 183lbs. Why they didn’t just fight at 185 is beyond me, but the weight should make no difference as Lawler isn’t a huge 185lber having fought in the UFC at Welterweight early in his career. Also appearing on the card is former UFC Heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski against undefeated prospect Brett Rogers and another catchweight bout between Scott Smith and Nick Diaz, this one at 179lbs.
Robbie Lawler vs Jake Shields
Prediction- Lawler by 2nd round knockout
Not sure what to make of this fight, so I’m going with the bigger fighter with the better wrestling. Shields has among the best ground skills in MMA, but his stand-up sucks and that will be bad if he can’t get Lawler down. Lawler has serious power which makes up for a lot of his technical retardedness, but he also has solid wrestling abilities. If Shields gets Lawler on his back, I think he’ll submit him without too much of a struggle because he’s that good on top.
Andrei Arlovski vs Brett Rogers
Predictions- Arlovski by 1st round knockout
I doubt this will be the war everyone expects it to be because they both hit too damn hard so I expect someone’s going to sleep in the first or second round. Arlovski’s boxing is the sharper of the two and while Rogers has serious power, I think Arlovski will chop him down with leg kicks and land that big right hand over and over again until Rogers goes down. The thing I’m worried about being an Arlovski fan is that historically his losses have come in twos. He lost back-to-back to Rodriguez and Rizzo, and then again to Sylvia twice. It could be nothing, or it could be a big confidence thing that a hungry undefeated guy waiting for his chance could take advantage of.
Nick Diaz vs Scott Smith
Prediction- Diaz by 1st round submission
While Smith is an incredibly tough dude as well as the bigger guy in this fight, his ground game has always sucked. Diaz has excellent hands and I think he’ll be able to hang with Smith standing up long enough to take it to the ground where I think he’ll make quick work of Smith.
Phil Baroni vs Joe Riggs
Prediction- Riggs on points
This could be a war until Baroni gasses. Baroni hates everyone he fights and Riggs isn’t the most respectful character out there so I think these two will stand in the middle of the cage and bang with each other. Riggs though has the much better cardio as well as ground skills and maybe even stand-up, although I’d favour Baroni there because of his power. Baroni’s tough and doesn’t give up though, so I think this one will go three rounds.
Kevin Randleman vs Mike Whitehead
Prediction- Whitehead by 1st round submission
I’m looking forward to Randlemans return because I don’t like him and I think Whitehead will destroy him. Randleman has to be the most boring MMA champ ever and the shit that he talks just irritates me. Whitehead will have better wrestling, stand-up and submissions and I think he’ll get the takedown after a bit of effort, pass the non existant Randleman guard and submit him with either a kimura or a rear naked choke.
