Luke Rockhold
STRIKEFORCE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP KEEPS TITLE
San Francisco, CA– In a one-sided fight that going in was supposed to be competitive, the Luke Rockhold-Tim Kennedy match for the Strikeforce middleweight (185 lbs) championship was just that, at least during the referee’s instructions. From the start of the fight and throughout all five-five minute rounds, Rockhold, who in the minds of the Strikeforce suits is their “male” face, had very little difficulty with Tim Kennedy and won going away with 49-46 (4-1 in rounds) in Portland, OR on a Showtime televised event. Kennedy’s forte was his wrestling ability, but Rockhold beat him at every facet of the game.
LONG LAYOFF DIDN’T AFFECT NATE!
Nate Marquardt fended off a great punch at the start of round one from Tyron Woodley, but from that point forward it was Marquardt who was throwing and landing on Woodley. After winning the first two frames, “Nate The Great” lost the third and he knew it going back to his corner. Coming out for round four, Nate put Woodley against the cage and started kicking the s*it out of him. A helacious uppercut ended matters and with the win “Nate The Great” takes the vacant Strikeforce welterweight (170) title.
GRACIE CONTINUES TO WIN
Although Keith Jardine is a little bit long in the tooth, Roger Gracie defeated the “Dean of Mean” with a unanimous decision after three-five minute rounds. The key to the fight was Gracie putting Jardine down a number of times and landing significant blows after doing so. Gracie continued to dominate in the second stanza, but Jardine escaped each takedown attempt in the final round. When it was all said and done, Jardine was bleeding from more than one cut. The scores were Fortunately for Gracie, he held his own in the striking department, walking away with the unanimous decision with scores of 29-27 twice & 28-27. Gracie is now 6-1, while Jardiine needs to get a “day job.”
HEAVYWEIGHT CUTS OFF LEG TO MAKE 185 LBS!
Supposedly when Lorenz Larkin started trainng for his middleweight (185) debut, he weighed 233 lbs. and change. That being said, not only did he make it to middleweight, but he defeated the always tough and game Robbie Lawler. Larkin was punching on Robbie as if were a punching bag, and despite losing the tonage, stayed strong and in control throughout the three rounder. The scores for “Double L” were 30-27 across the board!
STRIKEFORCE RETURNS WITH RONDA ROUSEY AUGUST 18TH!
The most popular fighter on the Strikeforce roster is Ronda Rousey. She is simply a show stealer, be it on Showtime or at the ESPYs, “RRR” or “Rowdy Ronda” Rousey is the hottest figure (physically and in popularity) in Strikeforce. If Dana White, the UFC czar were to let her headline a FOX TV card, I would expect record numbers for the event. From San Diego, CA and on Showtime Ronda faces formidable Sarah Kaufman. Formidable yes, beating Rousey no! Unless Sarah pulls off the MMA upset of the year, Rousey wants to take apart Cris “Cyborg” Santos in 2013. Like I’ve been telling you ever since I saw her fight the first time, she’s beautiful and yet meaner than boxers Sonny Liston or George Foreman when she gets in the cage.
Pedro Fernandez