Gegard Mousasi, Mike Kyle to Meet in Decisive Strikeforce Bout March 3

 Posted by at 3:41 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Jan 252012
 
Mike Kyle (black trunks) has spent his career going tit-for-tat with some of the best fighters MMA has to offer, but arguably has yet to prove that he can consistently beat the best. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

It started in April of 2011 at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley. “Mak” Mike Kyle (15-8) was set to face former DREAM middleweight king and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi (32-3). However, a broken hand that Kyle suffered in his near upset loss to heavyweight “Big Foot” Antonio Silva (15-3) sidelined him from the fight. Again the two were set to face each other in September 2011 at the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals, but this time it was Mousasi who withdrew from the fight. Now, after a year of trying to come to the same crossroads, the two veterans will finally face each other in the Strikeforce cage. Continue reading »

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2011 World MMA Awards Results

 Posted by at 12:37 PM  Bellator, MMA News, Strikeforce, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 012011
 
(Photo courtesy of Fighters Only)

Last night some of the most prominent names in mixed martial arts convened at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada to honor nominees in 22 categories at the 2011 World MMA Awards. The categories, which are selected by a nominations panel then voted on by fans, honor all things MMA, from fighters, to referees, to equipment, apparel, ring girls, and much more. The annual awards show, now in its fourth year, once again saw the UFC taking the majority of the honors. And the winners are… Continue reading »

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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

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Looking for the Underdog: Nick Diaz

 Posted by at 8:18 AM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 092011
 

Nick Diaz will put his iron chin, solid boxing, and stellar Jiu-Jitsu to the test tonight against UFC veteran Paul Daley in San Diego. (Photo courtesy of DREAM)

An intriguing welterweight battle projected to send ripples through the 170lbs. division in both Strikeforce and the UFC is set to commence tonight at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley. The main event sees heavy-handed Brit and UFC castaway “Semtex” Paul Daley (23-10-2) facing off against Cesar Gracie protege and reigning Strikeforce Welterweight Champion “Diablo” Nick Diaz (23-8) in a bout that will potentially determine the pecking order in the welterweight division of not only Strikeforce, but also its new sister company the UFC. Since both men have previously fought under the UFC banner where they found moderate success, tonight’s match-up is an opportunity to eliminate competition they would’ve otherwise faced later in their road to the top. In Diaz’s case this may be as far as he wants to go as long as his teammate Jake Shields (26-4-1) wins against the seemingly perpetual UFC welterweight king “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (21-2) in their UFC title bout April 30. In any case, with the very real potential that the UFC and Strikeforce may do some roster jockeying, Nick Diaz now more than ever must concrete his position as one of the world’s two most elite 170lb. champions.

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Looking for the Underdog: Paul Daley

 Posted by at 6:07 AM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Apr 092011
 

UFC veteran and Cage Rage champion Paul Daley will attempt to add Nick Diaz's Strikeforce welterweight title to his resume Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Cage Rage)

This Saturday at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley the welterweight title will be on the line when “Semtex” Paul Daley (23-10) faces off against a game champion in “Diablo” Nick Diaz (23-8). Daley will attempt to stop the three-year, nine-fight win streak of Diaz and set himself up for some intriguing fights within the Strikeforce organization following the recent Zuffa purchase. At first glance this may look like a boxing match, however, with Daley’s lack of ground game, this may be just a way for Diaz to stay active and put another notch on his belt. Daley can certainly end any fight that remains on the feet in short order and is by no means out of his league against the champ. Regardless of the outcome, this fight will more than likely be one of the most exciting bouts of the year, as both men come to finish and throw their strikes and submissions with obvious bad intentions.

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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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