Spilled Bag of Fights: 209 Time to Shine

 Posted by at 4:03 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  6 Responses »
Apr 112011
 

Paul “Semtex” Daley is arguably the hardest hitting Welterweight in MMA. Nick Diaz began his fight with “Semtex” Saturday night by walking towards him, taunting him with his hands down at his side. That’s some crazy shit. Crazy like a fox? I think so. Diaz showed the cocky Brit how cocky is done – 209 style. But there’s definitely a method to Diaz’s madness. The conventional wisdom was that Diaz should try to get the fight to the ground where Daley is weakest and the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu master has a huge advantage… but Nick Diaz ain’t no bitch. He’s said as much on many occasions. Nick doesn’t change the way he fights based on his opponent. He comes out, starts trash talking, looks for his openings and begins picking his opponent apart with his unorthodox but accurate and effective striking and if the fight happens to go to the ground, well, he’s certainly okay with that too. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley”: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 1:07 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 102011
 

To kick off the main card, Japanese submission wizard Shinya Aoki (red gloves) submitted Lyle Beerbohm (blue gloves) via Neck Crank less than two minutes into the opening round. (Photo courtesy of Strikeforce and Zuffa, LLC.)

Strikeforce’s latest showcase in San Diego, California last night put its stamp down in the Sunshine State. In the wake of recent tragedies, a Japanese submission machine  took on one of the sport’s most colorful personalities as a message to stay strong to his native homeland.  A fighter steps in on short notice to challenge a former champion in the hopes of regaining success under one of the largest promotions in the world. Two lightweights meet again in a rematch from their former PRIDE days, only this time a ten-pound strap of gold and pride is on the line. In the main event, a man bearing explosive striking from across the ponds takes on the hometown champion with the goal of stealing a title. With Strikeforce cards known not to pull any punches, here’s a recap of the events that took place. Added along is a look as to who the victors might see themselves standing against sometime soon. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley Live Results

 Posted by at 7:24 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 092011
 

—MAIN CARD (Showtime)—

Main event: Strikeforce Welterweight Championship
Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley: Diaz via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 4:57

Co-main event: Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri: Melendez via TKO (Elbows), Round 1, 3:14

Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine: MAJORITY DRAW (29-27, 28-28, 28-28), Round 3, 5:00

Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm: Aoki via Submission (Neck Crank), Round 1, 1:33

Continue reading »

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Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” Pre-Fight Breakdown: Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley

 Posted by at 6:29 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 082011
 

A phenomenal boxer himself, Nick Diaz (red gloves) might find it best to turn his match-up with the powerful striker in Paul Daley to a grappling match, where he holds a definitive advantage in Jiu-Jitsu. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Strikeforce is set to take over Showtime this Saturday night with another full card of promising fights. Kicking off the main card, the master of flying submissions Shinya Aoki (19-5) returns to take on Lyle Beerbohm (15-1) who seeks to get back in the winner’s circle after tasting defeat for the first time back in February. UFC veteran “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (15-9-1) steps in on a week’s notice to take on current DREAM Light Heavyweight Champion “The Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (24-3-1).  The lightweight title is up for grabs when “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez (18-2) faces beloved Japanese grappler “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri  (26-5-2).  With San Diego saturated with already main-event worthy fights,  British slugger “Semtex” Paul Daley (23-10-2) hopes to get his hands on another professional title when welterweight champion “Diablo” Nick Diaz (23-8) greets him in the headlining match. Capturing the title will prove Daley to be truly one of the top players of the game but with the recent tear Diaz is on,  winning is easier said than done. Will it be a successful sophomore effort in Strikeforce for the lethal British brawler or will the native of “the 209” add another win to his growing streak? Let’s have a closer look at this match-up. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” Pre-Fight Breakdown: Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri

 Posted by at 6:09 AM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 082011
 

Tatsuya Kawajiri (right) have stand-up advantage over Gilbert Melendez (left) in their rematch, but questions remain about the effects of his long flight and his inexperience in a cage and with elbows. (Photo courtesy of Scott Petersen and MMA Weekly)

California’s most successful MMA promotion to date will make its first appearance as a Zuffa product in San Diego tomorrow night as Strikeforce presents Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley for the viewing pleasure of the mixed martial arts world. The night opens with a classic ground battle as Washington-native wrestler “Fancy Pants” Lyle Beerbohm (15-1) takes on world renowned submission expert “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (26-5) and a sure fired stand-up barn burner between Netherlands boxing machine “The Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (24-3-1) and former UFC stand out “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (15-9-1). The action will lead up to a main event between the Stockton-based welterweight champion “El Diablo” Nick Diaz (23-8) and former UFC welterweight contender “Semtex” Paul Daley (23-10-2), but not before lightweight champion “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez (18-2) defends his title in a rematch against Japanese superstar “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-5-2). The two warriors first met in 2006 at PRIDE: Shockwave where Melendez used his wrestling to counter the superior striking of Kawajiri on his way to a Unanimous Decision victory. Since then, both men have evolved and have seemed on a collision course ever since the announcement that Strikeforce and DREAM would be co-promoting. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” Pre-Fight Breakdown: Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine

 Posted by at 6:04 AM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 072011
 

 

With an array of titles to his name, Gegard Mousasi (left) hopes to once again add the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title to his collection. His solid striking and grappling render Mousasi well prepared by any means against Keith Jardine come Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

San Diego, California gets its latest taste of MMA action when Strikeforce comes rolling in this Saturday night.  The main card offers enough action to entertain even the more casual mixed martial arts fans, covering the full gamut with young up-and-comers, seasoned veterans, aspiring champions, and game competitors. Submission specialist Shinya Aoki (19-5) battles the always dangerous Lyle Beerbohm (15-1). Japanese wonder “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-5-2) comes onto US soil with the goal of taking the lightweight title from “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez (18-2). In the main event, “Semtex” Paul Daley (23-10-2) challenges current Strikeforce Welterweight Champion “Diablo” Nick Diaz (23-8) in a five-round battle. Within the chaos going on, former UFC superstar “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (15-9-1) replaces an injured “MAK” Mike Kyle (14-8-1) to take on 205lbs. contender “The Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (24-3-1). For Mousasi, every win gets him closer to regaining the light heavyweight title. With Jardine on the opposite end of him, Mousasi better tread carefully lest he wants to become a stepping stone to Jardine’s second change at glory. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” Pre-Fight Breakdown: Lyle Beerbohm vs. Shinya Aoki

 Posted by at 7:47 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 052011
 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo black belt Shinya Aoki (bottom) possesses a world class ground game that has earned 16 of his total 26 victories by submission. If this weekend's opponent, wrestler Lyle Beerbohm, takes the fight to the canvas it should play right into the Japanese sensation's greatest strengths. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Herbertson and Sherdog)

San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center will be the site to host the second Strikeforce event, the first under the California-based company’s flagship promotion, under the Zuffa banner. The main card is stacked from top to bottom with some of the biggest names in Strikeforce including Welterweight Champion “El Diablo” Nick Diaz (23-8), former UFC welterweight contender “Semtex” Paul Daley (23-10-2), lightweight kingpin “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez (18-2), Japanese superstar Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-5-2), “The Dream Catcher” Gegard Mousasi (24-3-1), and The Ultimate Fighter alum “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (15-9-1). Rounding out the star studded list is a match between Washington native wrestler “Fancy Pants” Lyle Beerbohm (15-1) and world class submission fighter “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (26-5). The match will mark the second time that the “10th Degree Black Belt of Flying Submissions” has fought in the United States in his illustrious career and will represent the continuing increase in the level of competition faced by Beerbohm. No match could better represent the increased quality of production and promotion brought by Zuffa as the opening bout of their first Strikeforce card. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce Challengers 14: “Beerbohm vs. Healy” Results

 Posted by at 11:33 AM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Feb 192011
 

"Bam Bam" Patrick Healy (right) pulled off the upset in last night's main event, winning a Unanimous Decision over then-undefeated Lyle Beerbohm. (Photo courtesy of Esther Lin and Strikeforce)

—MAIN CARD—

Lyle Beerbohm vs. Ryan Healy: Healy via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Carlo Prater vs. Bryan Travers: Prater via Submission (Anaconda Choke), Round 1, 0:38
Ryan Couture vs. Lee Higgins: Couture via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 3, 4:41
Erik Apple vs. Ryan Larson: Larson via Submission (Triangle Choke), Round 2, 3:14
David Douglas vs. Nick Gonzalez: Douglas via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 1:05

—PRELIMINARY CARD—

Aaron Franco vs. Ousmane Thomas Diagne: Diagne via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 4:22
Drew Pendleton vs. Dennis Dombrow: Pendleton via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 2, 2:38

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Strikeforce Challengers 14: Beerbohm vs. Healy Preview

 Posted by at 2:12 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Feb 162011
 

(Photo courtesy of Strikeforce and Showtime MMA)

Strikeforce lights up Austin, Texas this Friday, February 18 at the Cedar Park Center with it’s ShoMMA: Challengers 14 fight card. Featured in the main event, undefeated slick submission artist “Fancy Pance” Lyle Beerbohm (15-0) steps in against the well rounded veteran that is “Bam Bam” Patrick Healy (20-15) with both martial artists looking to take a step closer to being a lightweight title contender. The co-main event for the evening features the highly regarded “Natural Light” Ryan Couture (1-0) attempting to live up to his father’s name – UFC Hall of Famer and multiple-time champion “The Natural” Randy Couture (19-10) – by taking on Lee Higgins (2-0) a practically unknown fighter who has an outstanding ground game and hails out of Houston, Texas. The main card also showcases three other bouts with the likes of Brazilian-born and current Bryan, Texas resident Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Judo brown belt Carlo Prater (24-8-1) versus NCAA wrestler Bryan Travers (12-2), Vale Tudo fighter “Bad Apple” Erik Apple (10-2) taking on Houston native and BJJ brown belt Ryan Larson (5-2), and Cesar Gracie Academy kickboxer David Douglas (5-2) vs. Austin’s all around fighter “The Ghost” Nick Gonzalez (16-9). All in all, Challengers 14 offers a solid night of outstanding prospects looking to make waves in the lower ranks of the Strikeforce promotion. Continue reading »

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