ICONIC HEAVYWEIGHT NEEDS TO TURN HEADS
San Jose, CA will host yet another Strikeforce card as the MMA’s top heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko (31-1, 8 KOs, 16 SUBs) makes his return as he faces off against the highly decorated Jiu-Jitsu player Fabricio Werdum (13-4-1, 4 KOs, 7 SUBs). The winner of this bout will likely face Alistair Overeem (33-11, 13 KOs, 19 SUBs) for the Strikeforce heavyweight title. Werdum is world class on the ground and has above average striking skills, however I just don’t see how he can pull off the upset against Emelianenko. We know Fedor can be hit as evidenced in several of his fights; including his last outing against Brett Rogers (10-2, 9 KOs, 1 SUB). We also know he can be cut, having lost his only MMA match on a cut to Tsuyoshi Kosaka (26-18-2, 7 KOs, 6 SUBs) back in 2000. However, we what we don’t know is if he can be submitted as he has never been in danger of tapping in his MMA career. Werdum has trained very hard for this fight and is a top notch heavyweight, but I don’t see him finding a way to beat the stoic Russian. Emelianenko by late TKO.
GINA CARANO’S SLAYER BACK IN CAGE
Making her return to the cage after destroying Gina Carano last year, will be Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (9-1, 7 KOs) as she puts her 145 lbs belt on the line in a stay busy fight against Jan Finney (8-7, 4 KOs, 1 SUB). Santos shouldn’t have too much trouble here as long as she has properly prepared for this bout. Finney is a rugged and tough girl but the champion will be too powerful; Cyborg by TKO.
KO VICTIM CUNG LE SEEKS REVENGE
Also on the card, San Jose’s very own Cung Le (6-1, 6 KOs) will look for redemption against the man who stopped him in the very same building last December, Scott Smith (17-6, 14 KOs, 3 SUBs). It seems Smith has made a habit of taking damage early and hanging around just long enough to come back and steal a victory. Unfortunately for Smith, I think Le will come in prepared this time and will look to finish the job before Smith can make his trademark rally-Le by TKO.
LIGHTWEIGHTS GO AT 155 LBS. IN MMA
Former lightweight champion Josh Thomson (16-3, 4 KOs, 8 SUBs) will try to start his climb back up the rankings latter as he faces 38 fight veteran Pat Healy (23-15, 6 KOs, 13 SUBs). This may be a tougher than expected bout for Thomson, but as long as he doesn’t have any serious injuries coming in, he should be able to handle himself against his highly experienced opponent. A Thomson win could eventually lead to a tiebreaking rubber match with current Strikeforce lightweight champ, Gilbert Melendez (18-2, 10 KOs, 1 SUB). In the mean time I see Thomson taking a decision here in a gut check type fight.
Matt “All Meat” Grizzle