The Future of Fighting Blog

Wednesday, November 04, 2009
by Tomas Rios (trios@sherdog.com)

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Strikeforce/M-1 Global “Fedor vs. Rogers” will stare down the UFC and draw its line in the sand this Saturday, as heavyweight kingpin Fedor Emelianenko anchors the promotion’s CBS debut from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. In making such a stand, it helps to have the most indestructible Russian since Rasputin by your side, along with an opponent who looks like a mutated version of Mr. T.

Besides the must-see intrigue that comes with Emelianenko stepping into a cage against Brett Rogers, the night will see Strikeforce crown a middleweight champion when jiu-jitsu demigod Jake Shields takes on Jason “Mayhem” Miller. Though light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi will not put his strap on the line in his bout with Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, anytime guys nicknamed “The Dreamcatcher” and “The African Assassin” fight, we owe it to ourselves to watch.

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers

The Breakdown: More than six years into his reign as the T-1000 of the heavyweight class, Emelianenko faces a familiar challenge in Rogers — a ginormous brawler blessed with the punching power needed to starch a cyborg emperor. However, putting fist to face appears to be the only threat Rogers poses to Emelianenko, who has a whole toolbox of skills thanks to his legendary international Sambo career, as well as the kind of ground-and-pound that can give the heartiest onlooker a migraine.

If anything works in Rogers’ favor, it could be that Emelianenko seems to go along with whatever his opponent wants to do out of an almost reckless confidence that he can succeed in any situation. It has yet to cost him a fight, but it has gotten him in trouble before, and Rogers only needs one punch and one mistake to precede it to leave lots of bookies in tears.

Considering both fighters rely on wide looping punches, the openings will be there for both men to play shatter the skull. Of course, this assumes Emelianenko does not drag Rogers to the mat and dismantle him like a stack of Legos. Although no one has seen Rogers’ ground game, it seems safe to assume that he will not do anything except tap out if Emelianenko pulls him into the deep end of the pool.

The X-Factor: Emelianenko has weaknesses, but his opponents always end up laid out before they get a chance to do anything except look overmatched. Rogers does have the ability to exploit Emelianenko’s mediocre chin, but that means putting himself right in the Russian’s wheelhouse.

Rogers certainly will not be afraid to collapse the pocket, but no heavyweight can walk through Emelianenko’s punches. Taking a few of those shots will be the price of admission for Rogers.

The Bottom Line: Everyone from Andrei Arlovski to Semmy Schilt had a striker’s chance against Emelianenko, and they all discovered why they were better off leaving the quiet, dead-eyed Russian alone. That lesson that will be written across Rogers’ face, as well, as Emelianenko takes advantage of his aggression and greets him with an overhand right midway through the opening stanza.

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James Meinhardt/Sherdog.com

Strikeforce Middleweight Championship
Jake Shields vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller

The Breakdown: Thanks to Cung Le’s Hollywood B-movie dreams, Shields and Miller now get the chance to settle up for the vacant middleweight title. The match itself essentially comes down to a case of two grapplers, with one, Shields, being markedly better than the other. Miller, however, has proven slick and even managed to keep his limbs and airways intact after 15 minutes on the mat with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.

By the same token, Miller was thoroughly dominated in that bout, and Shields presents the same problems as “Jacare.” A superior wrestler who remains vastly underappreciated as an elite jiu-jitsu player, Shields has suddenly developed a mean streak after spending most of his career as an anthropomorphized blanket. That combination of stultifying top control and newfound killer instinct will make life painfully difficult for Miller, whose appeal to the state commission for quality of entrance to be included in the judging criteria was denied.

The X-Factor: If you want to point to a weakness in Shields’ game, historically, it has been his conditioning. To be fair, Shields has not been the type of fighter who starts gasping for air halfway through the introductions, but he does fade late in fights if his opponent can force him to work from the opening bell.

Miller has proven himself as active as any fighter in MMA, and he has become borderline impossible to stop thanks to his own masochistic love of punishment. Fighting someone who can smile through a dislocated elbow seems like an unsettling experience, and if Shields cannot keep up with Miller, he will discover he is not the only grappler out there who likes twisting limbs and smashing faces.

The Bottom Line: This looks like a bad matchup for Miller. Worse yet, his army of Mayhem Monkeys will not be allowed to pull a Bobby Heenan and save him when the going gets rough. Nasty will be the adjective that best describes this fight, as Shields muscles down Miller early and batters him every step of the way. Sooner or later, the referee’s compassion switch will flip, and Miller’s grill will live to bling again.

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Stephen Martinez/Sherdog.com

Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou

The Breakdown: In a non-title tilt, Mousasi will look to continue his successful segue to the 205-pound class against the Cameroonian Predator. Once thought to be the division’s top blue-chip prospect, Sokoudjou’s obscene physical talent has long been overshadowed by cardio roughly on par with that of a pack-a-day smoker.

Worse yet, Mousasi’s striking has proven far more polished and his submission skill renders Sokoudjou’s judo throws inconsequential. Everyone has been waiting for years for Sokoudjou to jump on the treadmill, but in this fight, he will need strategic savvy that will not come from a few hours on the track every day.

The X-Factor: For the first few minutes of any fight, Sokoudjou can best be described as hell on wheels. While Mousasi excels in fast-paced fights, Sokoudjou only needs to find a home for a straight right to relive his upset streak in Pride Fighting Championships. If nothing else, Sokoudjou will get the pace he wants from Mousasi. Whether he gets the result he wants will depend on whether or not this fight turns into another showcase for his flaws.

The Bottom Line: Any concerns about Mousasi’s transition to light heavyweight were silenced when he demolished Renato “Babalu” Sobral in a minute flat. Meanwhile, Sokoudjou has been floundering in the Dream Super Hulk tournament after getting smacked down by the leading men at light heavyweight. Watch for Sokoudjou to come out with customary guns blazing and promptly run into a knockout courtesy of a Mousasi head kick.

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Daniel Herbertson/Sherdog.com

Antonio Silva vs. Fabricio Werdum

The Breakdown: Werdum remains the more well-regarded of the two, having spent years as a top heavyweight contender with an unfortunate habit of timing his losses poorly. Meanwhile, Silva, a huge guy with some skill, basically receives way more credit than he should for being a huge guy with some skill.

The difference in size will not be particularly pronounced, as Werdum will only give up some weight to Silva, who has to worry about his foe’s all-universe jiu-jitsu. While Silva’s striking may be considered an advantage, Werdum has made strides with his own muay Thai, and he has effectively navigated his way to wins over supposedly superior strikers before. Unless Silva can keep this fight upright and bully around Werdum, set your timer to tapout because it will not take long for the UFC veteran to expose Silva.

The X-Factor: The deciding factor in this fight will likely be Silva’s takedown defense, which has proven surprisingly weak for a guy who should be able to smother anyone looking to outmuscle him. Werdum’s wrestling can hardly be described as an asset, but he only needs a single takedown to completely outclass Silva. How the wrestling clash plays out will be the variable on which this fight hinges.

The Bottom Line: Title eliminators are supposed to be competitive, but this fight will show just how short Strikeforce remains on quality heavyweights, as Werdum makes Silva look like a rank amateur. A few early fireworks on the feet will end abruptly, as Werdum snags an easy single-leg and promptly cinches a submission on Silva.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Marloes Coenen vs. Roxanne Modafferi

After losing Erin Toughill to injury, Strikeforce managed to line up Modafferi — another fighter who has already beaten Coenen. A jack of all trades, Modaferri can force Coenen, who relies heavily on her jiu-jitsu, to step outside of her comfort zone. Expect a close fight, but Modafferi will take another nip/tuck decision win from her Dutch rival.

Jeff Curran vs. Dustin Neace

After flunking out of World Extreme Cagefighting, Curran gets a chance to rebound against Neace — and rebound he will. A journeyman who never quite escaped that casting, Neace finds himself in the unenviable position of being a solid grappler taking on an opponent who has proven himself vastly superior in that regard. An entertaining bit of back-and-forth on the mats ends with Curran tying Neace into a not-so-pretty package.

Mark Miller vs. Deray Davis

After some time on the shelf, Miller makes his return to the game against Davis. In keeping with the generally uncompetitive tone of the undercard, Miller has been lined up for a reasonably easy win. Davis has not been fond of working off his back and Miller will plant him there time and time again. On the ground, the disparity in offensive ability will become even more obvious. A thorough thrashing against Davis will reignite Miller’s career.

Christian Uflacker vs. Jonatas Novaes

The jiu-jitsu special of the night matches the inexperienced but well-hyped Uflacker against fellow Brazilian submission specialist Novaes. Expect Uflacker to ace Novaes on the mats. As the flat-out better grappler of the two, Uflacker will find an all-too-willing partner in Novaes, and he will be all-too willing to make him a quality addition to the old highlight reel.

John Kolosci vs. Shamar Bailey

A castoff from “The Ultimate Fighter,” Kolosci was slotted against Bailey in a bout for a spot in Strikeforce’s surging middleweight division. While many fans love Kolosci’s All-American work ethic, Bailey has proven the more talented of the two and only gives up experience to his counterpart. Watch for Bailey to swarm Kolosci from the opening bell and eventually overwhelm him late with a torrent of ground-and-pound.

Louis Taylor vs. Nate Moore

Take Taylor, an unbeaten Adrenaline MMA veteran with a pair of first-round finishes to his credit, in a meeting between two anonymous prospects. Taylor was a former Eastern Illinois University wrestling standout; Moore wrestled alongside Jon Fitch at Purdue University and now trains with him at the American Kickboxing Academy.

Thursday, August 13, 2009
by Tomas Rios (trios@sherdog.com)

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No matter what Strikeforce’s big shots have to say about it, signing Fedor Emelianenko is the biggest blow the UFC has taken in years. And while this Saturday’s “Carano vs. Cyborg” event may not feature MMA’s golden goose, it is the promotion’s first chance to cash in on the buzz surrounding its name.

Great timing on the part of Strikeforce, as Gina Carano is one of the promotion’s most recognizable stars and fans have been clamoring for her to take on Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos for what seems like an eternity now.

Backing up that momentous showcase for women’s MMA is an interim lightweight bout pitting Gilbert Melendez against the man who handed him his first professional loss, Japanese sparkplug Mitsuhiro Ishida. Throw in the hotly anticipated lightweight title bout between Renato “Babalu” Sobral and another new acquisition, division-hopping ace Gegard Mousasi, and this is Strikeforce’s best chance yet to carve out a piece of the pie the UFC has been hoarding.

How that shakes out is anyone’s guess, but everyone lucky enough to get price gouged by their local cable company for Showtime will have a chance to find out for themselves.

Gina Carano vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos

The Breakdown: After years spent relegated to fringe Japanese promotions and local barnhouse shows, women’s MMA finally gets a chance to win over the mainstream crowd with its first stateside superfight. Cover girl Gina Carano will finally take on “Cyborg” Santos in the fight that fans of the nascent division have been begging for. If you’re the type who gets freaked out by ladies hitting each other, turn away because both Santos and Carano have built their names on striking skills that have left the rest of the 145-pound division kowtowing to their dominance.

Who emerges as the alpha female on the feet is what this fight hinges on. Carano uses a precise, varied striking style that overwhelms opponents while Santos is a pure brawler with the power to turn the lights out on just about any featherweight, male or female. If Carano can use her movement and accuracy to frustrate Santos, she has the inside track on the win, but that means surviving a full-blown onslaught from the brutal Brazilian bomber. That is a feat no one has managed thus far.

The X Factor: The most underrated aspect of Carano’s game is her jiu-jitsu, which has been a literal lifesaver on more than one occasion for the undefeated champion. While the lone loss on Santos’ ledger came via submission, that was in her MMA debut. Regardless, Carano has to keep the mat in mind as her escape route if Santos starts turning her face into a scale model of a Jackson Pollack. For Santos, she still has to prove her jiu-jitsu is not the liability it once was.

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The Bottom line: It’s no secret that Strikeforce and the now deceased EliteXC protected Carano while building her into a star, but those days are thankfully over as Santos is one of the most dangerous female fighters at any weight. That will become apparent early on, as Santos savors the opportunity long denied to her by blitzing Carano and scoring a knockout that will announce her as the division’s new matriarch.

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Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

Jay Hieron vs. Jesse Taylor

The Breakdown: This is a bout that no one expected. Hieron and Taylor step in on short notice to replace the chronically injured Joe Riggs and the chronically chronic-ed Nick Diaz. Short notice is the ultimate variable but Taylor is an inexperienced, developing fighter while Hieron is a savvy veteran with the right style to frustrate any neophyte looking to make a name at his expense. A balanced fighter with a strong wrestling pedigree, Hieron’s wrestling game should be enough to keep Taylor from working the top-control game he depends on almost exclusively in the cage.

With his best offensive option nullified, Taylor will either have to prove his striking is up to snuff or try to make a miracle happen from his guard. Hunting for miracles in a fight doesn’t exactly count as sound strategy, and unless Taylor has something new to show off, a miracle in the cage to match the miracle on ice is looking less and less likely.

The X Factor: One thing Hieron has always struggled with is working off his back. While Taylor is still adapting his wrestling to the cage, he is a massive welterweight and can bully his way to takedowns when his skill comes up short. If the wrestling swings in Taylor’s favor at any point, he may not need more than a brief window to turn Hieron into the star of his highlight reel. Whether or not Taylor actually has the offensive firepower to take advantage of that scenario is what he’ll have to prove to both himself and everyone else.

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The Bottom Line: The short notice nature of this bout will become obvious early on as Hieron dismantles a clearly unprepared and inexperienced Taylor. The end will come violently when Hieron leaves Taylor’s guard in shambles and initiates a ground-and-pound siege that will eventually force a referee stoppage.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida

The Breakdown: After losing the chance to avenge a loss to Josh Thomson and regain the Strikeforce lightweight strap, Melendez will have to settle for a chance to take up the interim title and avenge a loss to the first man to beat him, Mitsuhiro Ishida. The style clash remains the same between these two. Ishida’s superior wrestling and relentless onrush make him a tough match for Melendez, who doesn’t have the dominating striking or airtight takedown defense to force Ishida off his game.

Unless Melendez has something new to offer, a repeat of the takedown festival Ishida put on against him the first time around is looking more and more likely. Of course, you can’t discount Melendez, who innovated both the Death Valley driver takedown and hula-hoop defense. For all I know, Melendez is saving something even more absurd for this fight like the Van Damme splits or Chuck Norris chest hair of doom.

The X Factor: Ishida’s compact frame makes him virtually unstoppable on the mat. His short limbs are nearly impossible to get a hold of and his base is rock solid, but his dominance on the ground is matched only by his ineptitude on the feet. Those short limbs are a major liability when you’re trying to throw a counterpunch as Takanori Gomi so ruthlessly proved when he scored a vicious first round TKO over his countryman. Melendez is no Gomi, but if he can force Ishida to strike with him, he won’t need to match Gomi’s fistic firepower to turn this fight on its head.

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The Bottom Line: For the most part, Melendez is at his best when he can control opponents with his wrestling and he’s at his worst when he can’t. That will play heavily into the decision loss that’s awaiting him against Ishida, who will score takedown after takedown en route to a lopsided, albeit nap-inducing, judges’ nod. Let’s be real here: Only Chuck Norris can contain the awesomeness of the chest beard.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi

The Breakdown: One of several bouts resurrected from the corpse of Affliction, one-time top UFC contender “Babalu” Sobral will take on multi-division ace Gegard Mousasi for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title. While Mousasi’s game has always been striking-centric with occasional flashes of submission savvy, Sobral is a pure mat fighter with the troubling habit of getting into exchanges on the feet that he can’t win. The issue here is whether or not Mousasi, a regular middleweight contender, will have the firepower to back down Sobral and the takedown defense to keep this fight upright.

Just as important will be Mousasi’s ability to survive on the mat should Sobral force him there. Sobral’s taxing top control and serpentine submissions combined with his likely strength advantage make for a dicey proposition. If Mousasi is as serious as he says he is about jumping all over the divisional map, this is the fight he needs to prove that he can be the pound-for-pound juggernaut he thinks he already is. By the same token, Sobral has been a name fighter for years, and his time to carve out a legacy is running thin.

The X Factor: Every time I see Sobral, I immediately wonder if he’s going to run headfirst into the first KO punch he sees. For such a skilled fighter, he consistently makes the mistake of sacrificing brain cells in the name of bravado. I doubt Mousasi can out-grapple Sobral, but he can definitely kick and/or punch his face in. Whether or not he does depends just as much on Sobral as it does on Mousasi.

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The Bottom Line: As a middleweight, Mousasi has the potential to be an elite fighter, but that 20-pound leap to light heavyweight can claim the career of anyone not named Anderson Silva. It would be one thing if Mousasi was starting off against someone whom he can pick apart, but Sobral is going to plant Mousasi on his back and prove he can survive against the army of titans populating the light heavyweight class. Expect Mousasi to keep this fight interesting with his kickboxing and slippery mat game, but that will only keep him going long enough to hear the decision go to Sobral.

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Jim Page/Sherdog.com

Mike Kyle vs. Fabricio Werdum

The Bottom Line: Two of the heavyweight division’s most talented yet mercurial fighters square off here with Werdum and Kyle both looking to get their names entered into the Fedor Emelianenko sweepstakes. Unfortunately for Kyle, his brawling style doesn’t feature the takedown defense or jiu-jitsu credentials needed to keep Werdum from turning him into a heap of twisted limbs. It’s certainly no secret that Werdum has gotten himself in trouble on the feet before — just ask Junior dos Santos — but Kyle consistently makes the mistake of bull-rushing his opponents, which plays right into Werdum’s hands.

Even if Werdum can’t score a speedy takedown, his clinch game is far more refined than Kyle’s, who often resorts to spastic flailing and ineffective knees when he can’t break out of the clinch with strength alone. Barring another face-first leap into his opponent’s fists, Werdum should be able to rough up Kyle in the clinch before moving to the mat and finishing the fight.

Mike Cook vs. Scott Lighty

The Bottom Line: One of Strikeforce’s more promising prospects, Lighty puts his undefeated ledger on the line against the man Strikeforce is hoping plays the showcase role to a tee, Mike Cook. Strikeforce executives can breathe easy as Lighty may not be some ceiling-busting blue-chipper, but Cook is basically a canvas for any young prospect looking to paint a picture of his own potential. Expect Cook to do as he usually does and charge in headfirst before Lighty responds by wrestling him down to the mat.

From there, it won’t take long for Lighty to pound out a TKO stoppage against the overmatched Cook. Here’s hoping Lighty’s management team has the good sense to keep him on the prelims for the foreseeable future so their boy has a chance to develop properly before jumping into the deep end of the increasingly dangerous Strikeforce heavyweight division.

David Douglas vs. Justin Wilcox

The Bottom Line: A battle of up-and-comers pits Douglas and Wilcox, both of whom are looking to carve out a spot in the still nascent Strikeforce hierarchy. Both fighters have suffered from being pitted against competition out of their league, but this time around you can expect a wild back-and-forth between two evenly matched fighters. While Wilcox has seen more top-tier competition, Douglas’ rabid style and endless gas tank make him tough to corral.

While Wilcox has the balanced game to keep Douglas from getting too comfortable, it won’t be enough to keep him from dropping a nip-tuck decision. Expect a case of too much top control and ground-and-pound from Douglas and too little time to answer back for Wilcox.

Zak Bucia vs. James Terry

The Bottom Line: A rematch of their first battle earlier this year on the “Shamrock vs. Diaz” card, Bucia will try to even the score against Terry, who is one of the promotion’s best welterweight prospects. That status will be on the line against Bucia, who will look to shut down Terry’s diverse and unpredictable style that’s likely the product of training with san shou wizard Cung Le. While Bucia had some success the first time around, Terry is still the better fighter and has more options in the cage.

It may not be any easier this time, but Terry will gradually outpoint Bucia en route to another solid decision win. Of course, I’m hoping he busts out a triple spin ninja kick in honor of his mentor.

Isaiah Hill vs. Alexander Trevino

The Bottom Line: Let’s not mince words on this one, Trevino is an intriguing lightweight prospect with a surprisingly well-rounded skill set while Hill hasn’t won a fight in more than two years. You have to go back an extra year to find the last time Hill won two fights in a row. In other words, just about the only things Hill has on Trevino are experience and losses.

This is a pure showcase fight for Trevino, who will quickly turn Hill’s face into a post-modern art project. Sooner or later, the referee’s sense of compassion will kick in and Trevino will walk away with a one-sided TKO win while Hill keeps closing in on the Mendoza line.

Friday, June 19, 2009
by Chris Cozzone (ccozzone@sherdog.com)

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His smokin’ guns holstered for over a year, Joey Villasenor has been at the mercy of belly-up organizations throughout a long, zigzag career climb. But he’s reasonably sure he’s finally going to get the chance to fight Friday night.

“Here we are, four days out,” Villasenor said Monday, following a wind-down workout at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in Albuquerque. “I think it’s finally going to happen.”

On Friday, Villasenor (26-6) headlines the Strikeforce Challengers event against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (16-12) in Kent, Wash. The bout, and four others, will be televised live on Showtime.

There’s no reason to think that Villasenor’s fight won’t happen — but after multiple letdowns over the last 12 months, a bit of skepticism is a reasonable, if not healthy, response.

After Pride Fighting Championships went dormant, Villasenor signed up with EliteXC. Villasenor had a strong start, than a bad stumble against Murilo “Ninja” Rua, who stopped Villasenor with a second-round TKO in the promotion’s first middleweight title championship. The New Mexican veteran racked up three big wins afterward and was on the verge of another title shot when the organization folded.

With Villasenor’s contract caught in the crossfire, months of legalities tied up the Jackson-trained fighter, until Strikeforce resurrected the sport on Showtime this spring.

“The time off stunk,” said Villasenor. “I know it’s the nature of the business, but I lost a lot of time.”

At 33, and with a decade invested in a game that has seen its veterans, of late, become cage- and shopworn, Villasenor’s clock could be ticking.

Chris Cozzone/Sherdog.com

“Am I a dinosaur?” asked Villasenor with a laugh. “I don’t think so, no sir. I feel I’ve only gotten better. It took a while for my career, and for MMA in general, to develop. The young guys are redefining it and training has become so specialized. But, for me, it’s been learning on the job.”

Villasenor was born in East L.A., but moved to Albuquerque when he was in fourth grade. Years later, Villasenor got his start in martial arts when his family moved to Farmington, in the northwest corner of New Mexico. After turning pro in 1999, Villasenor eventually found his way back to Albuquerque where he hooked up with Greg Jackson.

“I had a lot of opportunity to fight early on,” said Villasenor, who fought frequently for King of the Cage. “But, for the most part, I was sent out to lose. I realized I was just a feeder.”

Villasenor went from feeder to beater, as his nicknames evolved from “The Dream Smasher” to “The Mexican Hitman” to “Smokin’.” Eventually, he earned the choice to fight in the UFC or Pride.

Villasenor, whose teammates were UFC fighters, chose Pride.

“I have no regrets not taking the route of the UFC,” said Villasenor. “Everything’s a gamble in this sport. When the opportunity came for the UFC, I wanted to be paid accordingly.”

Villasenor lost his opening Pride bout –- a split decision to Ryo Chonan — and was knocked out by a 22-second flying knee courtesy of Robbie Lawler in his second bout with the organization. Ironically, if EliteXC had continued, Villasenor would’ve rematched Lawler for the middleweight belt.

“It’s been a bit like fighting in the shadows,” said Villasenor. “And I don’t mind fighting in the shadows at all. I’ve never been big on stardom — that just means more pressure. On the other hand, of course I want the chance to be the champ.”

Friday is another first step in that direction.

“The time off has taught me to savor every precious moment of ring time,” said Villasenor. “I’ve been training for a fight, on and off for a year now, for something that never happened. Now that’s it’s going to happen, the pressure is there to perform. It’s huge. No one wants to see a boring win. But if you forget all that, and just go out there and fight, and take over… that’s all there is.”

Against Santos, Villasenor believes he has preparation on his side.

“We’re gonna be better prepared than Cyborg,” said Villasenor. “He’s a Wanderlei Silva type, but he’s slowed down after hard losses. We’re prepared for his ankle and leglock attacks. We’ll stay clear of his big shots and we’ll go to work. I got the right team behind me.”

That team, for the past three years, has included girlfriend Holly Holm, who is a six-time world champion boxer.

“She’s been the biggest blessing in my life,” said Villasenor. “She understands the game, what it is we do. We eat right together, run together, watch films… She’s been a big impact in my life.”

Friday, June 05, 2009
by Mike Sloan (msloan@sherdog.com)

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Robbie Lawler has been on a roll, going undefeated in his last six fights and scoring five finishes along the way. His opponent Saturday at Strikeforce has been even hotter, though. Jake Shields hasn’t lost since 2004, racking up 11 straight wins.

Lawler is the No. 4-ranked middleweight in the world. Shields is the No. 4-ranked welterweight, and Strikeforce has done a remarkable job in pitting the two contenders together in what should be one heck of a showdown.

The general consensus around the mixed martial arts world is that Lawler should win if the fight remains standing and Shields should triumph if he can bring the ruthless one to the canvas. Sherdog.com chatted with dozens of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their thoughts on the matchup:

Luigi Fioravanti: If it stays on the feet, Lawler by KO. If it goes to the ground, Shields will pull off a submission.

Erik Paulson: Robbie is tough as shit, but Jake is (at) the top of his game. Robbie has heavy hands and definitely has a slugger’s chance once Jake gets the takedown.

Scott Bieri: Jake Shields’ American jiu-jitsu will be the difference in this one. Lawler is game, but Jake’s smothering grappling (will) get him the submission win.

Guy Mezger: The Lawler-Shields fight is tough to call. It either goes boring win for Shields or KO for Lawler.

Jaime Fletcher: I like Jake’s chances on the ground and Lawler on the stand up. Classic striker/grappler matchup. I got Shields by some made-up NorCal American jiu-jitsu hold in the first or second round.

Cesar Gracie: Shields by tapout.

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Kit Cope: The Shields/Lawler fight is going to be the most dynamic fight we’ll see that night. Lawler has a strong edge on the striking, but I think it will ultimately end on the ground with Jake in a dominant position. Robbie is a good scrambler, but Jake is very strong with holding position, especially in mount, which he’ll end up at on top of Robbie.

Kevin Burns: If the fight stays standing, I see Lawler winning easily by KO or decision. … If Jake can get the fight to the ground, he wins by submission.

Travis Lutter: I think Jake will take this one. He has been a terror as of late, and I think Robbie has a hard time with grapplers.

Mike Whitehead: Robbie by KO! And I also pick Whitehead to win also … just a hunch.

Marvin Eastman: Robbie Lawler (will) win by KO in the second round.

Stav Economou: Lawler KO third round.

Jamie Varner: Lawler TKO.

Tom Gavrilos: Lawler is going to be very hard to submit, even for Jake, and clearly has the heavier hands. Lawler TKO.

Michael Guymon: Shoot, this is the classic matchup of striker versus grappler. It’s simple: If this fight stays on the feet, Robbie; if it goes to the ground, Jake. That’s all I can say on this one; otherwise, I will be getting a call from Jake or Robbie wanting to hang me (laughs).

Enson Inoue: I pick Jake Shields.

Cung Le: Tough one to call (no pick).

Gabe Ruediger: Got to go with Jake. Lawler is very tough and hits hard, but Jake’s grappling is very high level and if and when it hits the mat, Jake will dominate there. Submission for Jake, not sure which round.

Stephane Vigneault: I think Jake Shields (made) a mistake (going to) 185 against Lawler. I think a TKO win by Lawler. Yes, Shields is an awesome grappler, but I think he is not gonna be able to handle the power of Robbie Lawler.

Robin Black: I don’t think Shields can handle Lawler. Shit, not many people can handle Lawler. Can Shields pull off a slick sub? Maybe, but more likely Lawler will win this by face smash. Either way, (a) fun fight to watch. Probably Lawler, round two KO.

Ben Saunders: Man, I love watching Lawler fight. The guy is a beast! I believe that Lawler will be too powerful and dangerous standing for Jake. He trains with good wrestlers and has good takedown defense. Jake hasn’t shown the best hands in the game, and I feel if Lawler plays the game right, he should win by KO. If Jake gets him down, it will definitely be in his favor, but I believe Lawler has enough skill to defend and get back to his feet. But I respect them both as fighters, and it is MMA and anything can happen. Hell, I’ve seen the fake shot to big overhand right take out the best of them. It’s notorious for causing the biggest upsets. The wrestler knocking out the striker, something no one ever thought would happen, yet in MMA you see it happen more and more often. Fake the shot and as his hands drop for the sprawl …. BOOM! It’s a bitch! Either way it will be a great fight!

Patrick Cote: I’m going with Lawler by pure power.

Pros who picked Lawler: 9
Pros who picked Shields: 7
Pros who couldn’t decide: 6

Wednesday, June 03, 2009
by Tomas Rios (trios@sherdog.com)

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By the looks of its latest card — scheduled for this Saturday at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis — it appears Strikeforce is well on its way to carving out a spot as a big-name mixed martial arts promotion.

With a featured bout pairing top 10 middleweight Robbie Lawler and top 10 welterweight ace Jake Shields, plus co-main events featuring heavyweight fang aficionado Andrei Arlovski and the always entertaining Nick Diaz, it’s time to jump on this free Showtime promotion.

Load the fridge with artery-clogging delights and make sure you call out sick from work for a few days in order to prepare. In the meantime, get squared up on the knowledge. Who knows? Maybe, I’ll nail a few this time.

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Photo by Dave Mandel

Main Event
Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields

The Breakdown: In a style clash so extreme it almost seems out of place in modern MMA, Lawler’s bloodlust on the feet stands at odds with Shields’ clinical precision on the mat. What this fight really hinges on, though, is how Shields (22-4-1) deals with Lawler’s brutish physicality in the cage. Lawler (16-4, 1 NC) has always been an easy mark on the ground. Getting him there is the problem, and Shields’ substandard striking will not buy him any time standing if his usual game plan goes awry.

Keep an eye out early. If Lawler starts bullying around Shields and teeing off, the former EliteXC welterweight champion might as well bust out the Ric Flair flop and call it a day. However, the longer this fight goes, the more it favors Shields, who needs only a takedown and a minute or two on the clock to teach Lawler that screaming and flexing only looks cool when upright.

The X Factor: Both men are former welterweights, but Lawler has been competing as a middleweight for years; this bout represents Shields’ first run at 185 pounds. Picking arguably the best middleweight outside the UFC as one’s first mark seems bold at best, masochistic at worst. If Shields does not carry the extra weight well, he’ll be stuck trying to drag down one of the division’s most gifted athletes. By the same token, if Shields handles the jump in weight as well as Lawler has, he’ll force one of MMA’s premier power punchers to prove his worth on the mat.

***

The Bottom Line: Once upon a time, Lawler was just another brawler. Thankfully, those days are long gone and we now have a more refined version of the wild-eyed brute of old. Striking the balance between composure and aggression will be pivotal for Lawler, who must prevent Shields from getting him down. However, the mere threat of his loaded limbs should be enough to keep Shields from getting too bold with his takedowns. Either way, Lawler will keep this bout in his domain long enough to add Shields’ scalp to his growing list of knockout victims.

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Photo by Dave Mandel

Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers

The Breakdown: The old guard runs headfirst into a man representing the supposed next generation, as former UFC heavyweight champion Arlovski (15-6) takes on the undefeated Rogers. While Rogers’ headfirst brawling tactics have served him well thus far, Arlovski made his name picking apart one-note bombers with uncommonly precise punches and fluid footwork. Unless Rogers (9-0) can turn this into more of a slugfest than a boxing match, he’ll have to rely on gutting out Arlovski’s offense and answering back with something that can put the Belarusian on the defensive.

The X Factor: Anytime Arlovski starts stringing together blows, his fans will hold their collective breaths, knowing full well that a single synapse-scrambling strike from Rogers could send their guy straight to the canvas. That’s the reality of the heavyweight division, and it’s always been a particularly cruel one for Arlovski, who has seen some of his best performances go unrewarded thanks to his notoriously fragile chin. Outgunned as he may be, Rogers needs only one of his bombs to land for this fight to turn into his coming out party.

***

The Bottom Line: Banking on an unproven prospect to take out Arlovski, porcelain beard and all, is a fool’s bet, especially when one considers the former UFC champion’s stumbles have always come against the division’s elite. Rogers doesn’t have anything Arlovski hasn’t already seen, and the difference in fundamental ability will be too great for the Minnesotan to overcome. Watch for a vintage showing from Arlovski, as he overwhelms Rogers early before putting him away with a highlight reel knockout.

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Photo by Dave Mandel

Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith

The Breakdown: Captain Comeback meets Captain Cannabis, as Smith — MMA’s answer to Doug Flutie — takes on the talented and always unpredictable Diaz (19-7, 1 NC). What really makes this fight attractive is Diaz’s penchant for getting after it on the feet, something on which Smith (16-5, 1 NC) must rely since his ground game is no match for what Diaz brings to the table. However, Diaz’s fight IQ is very underrated by the masses, which focus on his out-of-cage follies instead of the brilliance he brings inside it. As long as Diaz remembers he has Smith’s number on the mat, he’ll have the edge.

The X Factor: Diaz has never been shy about trading on the feet. That penchant for getting into firefights could cost him dearly against Smith, who has an unnatural knack for scoring knockouts when the chips are down. While Diaz has stood unflinchingly with brawlers like Robbie Lawler, that risk is unnecessary here given the disparity in the grappling department. Regardless, that’s a fact Diaz may choose to ignore come fight time, and it will leave Smith right where he wants to be.

***

The Bottom Line: Sooner or later, Smith’s luck was bound to run out, and Diaz is not the type to let anyone back into a fight. Some early fireworks on the feet will give way to a takedown from Diaz and a clinical grappling dissection, with Smith playing the cadaver.

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Photo by James Meinhardt

Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs

The Breakdown: Because every card needs a guaranteed dogfight, Strikeforce delivers the always articulate Baroni (13-10) into battle with Riggs, a division-hopping regular. Don’t look for any world-class grappling, but count on both men coming in ready to go for broke on the feet. The difference is that Riggs (29-10, 1 NC) can back up his stand-up bombs with his always dangerous ground-and-pound, an advantage that will play heavily in his favor the longer this fight goes.

The X Factor: Neither fighter is known for his gas tank, and if we don’t get an early knockout, someone is bound to start sucking wind. Once that happens, it comes down to who can summon up the juice to gut out a win. Flip a coin, and hope you didn’t bet on whoever gets laid out.

***

The Bottom Line: At this point, Baroni gets about a mile per gallon and has not shown much evolution since his days as a free-swinging braggart. Meanwhile, Riggs has developed solid striking on the feet and on the mat, which should be more than enough to handle Baroni’s one-dimensional offense. Expect a dominant display from Riggs, who puts Baroni out of commission with a cringe-inducing ground-and-pound blitzkrieg.

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Photo by Jeff Sherwood

Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead

The Breakdown: Still going at it after more than a decade in the sport, Randleman (17-12) now gets to face a member of the new guard. Both favor the wrestling game. Whitehead (23-6) lacks Randleman’s pedigree, but the former UFC champion’s sheer athleticism isn’t quite as dominating as it once was. In other words, this bout banks on who can impose his wrestling and keep his flaws far from view.

The X Factor: Striking is a skill both of these fighters like to show off, with less than impressive results. Regardless, if the wrestling game produces a stalemate, look for Randleman to start winging punches and Whitehead to start taking them. He will have no answer for Randleman’s hand speed and power.

***

The Bottom Line: The game may have left Randleman behind some time ago, but his skills remain largely intact. They’re more than enough to handle Whitehead, who does not have the wrestling chops to stop Randleman. This match will turn one-sided, as Randleman notches a ho-hum three round decision thanks to his ongoing love affair with ground-and-no pound.

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The Prelims

Jesse Finney vs. Josh Baumgartner

A battle of undefeated prospects matches Finney (3-0) and Baumgartner, and while both have been impressive, the latter may be the top prospect on the Strikeforce roster. Look for Baumgartner (5-0) to overwhelm Finney with his superior wrestling and ground savvy, leading to a lopsided ground-and-pound drubbing. Keep an eye on Baumgartner, as it looks like Strikeforce has found itself a long-term project.

Tyron Woodley vs. Sal Woods

Another of Strikeforce’s big-ticket prospects is slated for his next challenge, as Woodley (2-0), a collegiate All-American wrestler, takes on Woods. While the experience favors Woods (2-4), everything else favors Woodley, who has shown a dominating wrestling game and the aggression to make it work for him. Woods doesn’t have any answer for Woodley’s repeated takedowns and will eventually get pounded out by strikes late in the fight.

Scott Ventimiglia vs. Lucas Lopes

Two journeymen lock horns in this one, as Ventimiglia (12-5-1) looks to carve out a place for himself at Lopes’ expense. Although neither fighter has distinguished himself much, Ventimiglia has always been a solid competitor who fails against next level competition. Lopes (9-8), meanwhile, is basically a glorified gatekeeper. Watch for Ventimiglia’s more versatile and fundamentally sound game to give him the edge he needs to notch a decision.

Pat Benson vs. Dave Lehr Cochran

The Mendoza line in MMA stands at .500. Here are two fighters trying to get that much closer to clearing it, as both Benson (3-5-1) and Cochran find themselves in desperate need of a win. The advantage goes to Cochran (16-19), the far more experienced and savvy fighter. Benson has a bad habit of making fight-ending mistakes, and that will serve as the final tipping point, as Cochran guts out a spirited decision win over his inexperienced quarry.

Booker DeRousse vs. James Wade

Another win-or-go-home bout rounds out the undercard, with DeRousse matching wits and fists with Wade (0-0). The latter has been in the game longer, but DeRousse (1-1) has the upside and talent to make up the difference. Wade’s middling game won’t be enough to overcome DeRousse’s brute physicality and striking ability, as he will turn this into his own coming out party.

Note: A matchup between Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Mike Kyle was added to the prelims on Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009
by Jason Probst (jprobst@sherdog.com)

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While other promotions falter and degenerate into the mixed martial arts’ rear view mirror, Strikeforce soldiers on, the little engine that most decidedly could.

That’s because the promotion consistently combines good matchups while building stars around a loyal Bay Area fan base. Saturday night’s card, headlined by the Frank Shamrock-Nick Diaz main event, is another solid addition to the MMA landscape. Here’s a breakdown of the main card, which will launch the promotion’s new deal with Showtime live from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Hitomi Akano

The matchup
At 6-1, Santos is emerging as one of MMA’s handful of female stars, because she brings the ruckus as readily as the men do. With vicious striking and an aggressive style, she faces off against the submission savvy Akano, a veteran of the Japanese circuit, who has a 14-5 record with all losses coming by decision. She’s been beaten against better competition but the fact that she hasn’t been stopped — including a distance-going route against the exceptional Tara Larosa — shows she is a tough customer.

Keys to victory
Santos’ standup pretty much defines how successful she will be in this fight. While many female MMA competitors seem to lack the power and dynamism necessary to truly hurt foes, Santos is a notable exception. She strikes with impunity and well-crafted combinations. With 11 submissions in her 14 wins, Akano has to get the fight to the ground and work from there. If it stays standing, she is in trouble against “Cyborg.”

Intangibles
For Santos, sprawling and stuffing takedowns will be key. Athletic strikers often lose their edge when taken down and worked over for a bit — and if planted on her back, she’ll have to work efficiently to get back up. Akano has to be wary in the standup phase, but not so conservative that she is unwilling to engage and can’t set up a clinch, where she could at least pull guard to get it on the mat. It’s a tough proposition, for once the fight is on the mat, they might be battling on even terms.

The pick
Santos by second round KO.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Brett Rogers vs. Ron Humphrey

The matchup
It doesn’t get more basic than this — two unbeaten heavies, with all their wins via stoppage, mostly by KO. At 8-0, Rogers’ major claim to fame was calling out Kimbo Slice for a bout he never got in the defunct Elite XC organization. He gets another shot to establish his name here against Humphrey, a 5-0 prospect with all his wins via KO in the opening round.

Keys to victory
Simple. Hit the other guy first, preferably harder than he’ll hit you. Despite his un-Lesnar-like build, Rogers is fairly nimble for his size (weighing close to the 265-pound heavyweight class limit) and moves quicker than he looks. He’s also got more big-fight experience, which could translate well into handling what could be an eventual title shot against Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem in a division where the promotion’s cupboard is exceptionally thin.

Intangibles
You never know how the first big-time-fight butterflies will play out, and for Humphrey, a veteran of the “Iron Ring” MMA reality experiment, he’ll be giving up some 20 pounds to boot. However, it only takes one shot with heavyweights, and despite Rogers’ three fights for Elite XC, all that could go asunder if drilled clean. Humphrey’s last five opponents have a combined record of 18-31. He’s clearly taking a step up in competition here.

The pick
Rogers has decent wrestling and is pretty tough in the clinch. Add in the size difference and it should be enough to grind out a second-round TKO.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Gilbert Melendez vs. Rodrigo Damm

The matchup
A late substitute for an injured Josh Thomson, Damm, 8-2, has some good showings on his record. With a KO stoppage of Jorge Masdival in last June’s Sengoku, he also logged three wins in Bodog Fight against decent competition. He has nothing to lose coming in late against Melendez, who will be fighting in front of a hometown Bay Area crowd. It may not be the recipe for a Buster Douglas-type upset, but he could certainly have a moment in the sun he could capitalize on, a la Bert Cooper-Evander Holyfield.

Keys to victory
For Melendez, 14-2, pushing the pace defines his style. A good wrestler with willing and active strikes, he likes to take guys down and batter them, quickly transitioning to superior positions so he can threaten with more strikes and assorted punishment. Coming in on short notice, Damm, a jiu-jitsu stylist with decent hands, has to have something go right in a big way before Melendez overwhelms him.

Intangibles
Melendez’ conditioning is second to none, and despite preparing for a revenge rematch against Thompson — who beat him via definitive decision in their first bout — the opponent switch shouldn’t bother him too much. If anything, he’ll be buoyed by the fact that he won’t be trying to take down Thompson, who proved superior in that department and figures to be more resistant than Damm.

Damm will have to tag Melendez hard and stuff his takedown attempts, and work every inch of the ring to keep giving Melendez angles. Melendez is especially good at making something out of nothing, particularly in scrambles, and Damm will have to make him pay in the transitions and land effectively on the feet.

The pick
Melendez is still a juggernaut, and figures to grind out a clear-cut decision or late stoppage.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach

The matchup
With two sluggers squaring off and 27 KOs in their combined 33 wins, this middleweight throwdown could be the fight of the night, and it’s matchups like these that have helped Strikeforce keep the crowds coming back. Smith’s rock-em-sock-‘em first brawl with Robbie Lawler at Elite XC — which ended in an anticlimactic no-contest after Smith absorbed an eye poke and was unable to continue — was largely overlooked because of the Kimbo Slice-James Thompson bout. In the rematch, Smith shattered his hand early in the bout, and was eventually knocked out.

Radach, meanwhile, continues to rebuild a career nearly derailed by injuries and bad luck. After sustaining a broken jaw in a loss to Chris Leben in 2004, “Razor” was inactive for nearly three years before returning to the game via the IFL. After winning five of six in that promotion, he scored a big-time stoppage win of Murilio Rua in EliteXC last October, rallying in a bout that saw both guys in trouble. Radach may be one of the game’s more underrated middles as he, like Smith, carries legit knockout power, good wrestling, and the kind of killer instinct you can’t teach.

Keys to victory
In any MMA matchup, there’s a laundry list of skill sets to compare, often with flavorful differences suggesting a wide range of outcomes. This one is about as close as you can get to a dead heat. Both Smith and Radach share the same strengths as mentioned above, but also the same stylistic tendencies and shortcomings. Both have a wrestling base with heavy hands, and are unlikely to be submitted if the other guy is on the bottom. Both need to land first and avoid being taken down, lest they be subject to the vicious ground-and-pound likely to ensue. And both have a tendency to fire back — immediately — when hurt. It’s a recipe for a violent bout.

For Smith, years of working his Thai clinch seemed to be paying off in the first Lawler bout, as he was comfortable wielding inside elbows, short knees, and the kitchen sink. He also rebounded from defeat with a 24-second stoppage of Terry Martin at last November’s Strikeforce. Smith usually prefers to work standing up, while Radach seems a bit more willing to shoot for a takedown if it suits him. Radach’s strikes are equally dangerous though.

Both men have to land first, and pick smart counters while avoiding the inevitable missile launched by the other guy.

Intangibles
Smith has the edge in competition and consecutive experience, while Radach’s resurgence may mark him as the better long-term investment. Can Radach differentiate between a hurt Smith and a dangerous, wounded foe? Can Smith put together a gameplan that plays to his strengths instead of slugging it out and relying exclusively on his heavy hands? Will either of these guys shoot for a takedown despite the inclination both have for trading shots on the feet?

The pick
The guy who lands hardest the most or is on top most on the ground wins this one. Radach and Smith are so evenly matched that it’s a true toss-up.

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Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz

The matchup
Reminiscent of an old-time boxing grudge match, on paper, there’s no reason for Diaz and Shamrock to meet given their disparity in size, except for the easily renewed tenor of MMA’s oldest feud: Gracie vs. Shamrock.

Switch the players out and you have Diaz gunning to avenge the 21-second knockout loss of Cesar Gracie, his mentor, to Shamrock in 2006. There’s really no weight class rankings clarity offered by the match: Diaz, 18-7-1 (1 NC) competed in Elite’s newly created 160-pound division following a lengthy run at 170 with a string of memorable UFC scraps. Shamrock, 23-9-2, is a natural 185-pounder. It’s strictly a catchweight match based on their mutual ability to promote a good fight and put butts in seats. Shamrock-Diaz is happening for the same reason dudes with fauxhawks driving convertible Miatas should be doused with a full cup of Big Gulp while you pass them in the other direction — it’s the principle of the thing that counts.

Keys to victory
With a 6-4 record in the UFC, Diaz proved to be one of the toughest guys to finish in the sport. Lacking an overpowering wrestling base, he still never shied away from going to his back in search of submissions or a clever sweep. With three of four wins as a 160-pounder in Elite XC, Diaz looked a bit stronger and was able to use his pressuring, grinding style to wear opponents down — except for Karl James Noons, who used excellent counterpunches en route to a cut-induced stoppage.

Diaz’ style differs greatly from Shamrock, who in recent bouts has preferred a wait-and-explode standup approach. Shamrock’s ground game has always been excellent, but in recent fights he’s clearly gained so much confidence in the standing element that he is perhaps playing to the fans more by gunning for knockouts. Standing with Phil Baroni proved to be the winning strategy in a thrilling, two-way brawl. Doing so with Cung Le was the preamble to a game, but ultimately losing effort.

In short, Diaz — regardless of what they weigh walking around, which isn’t much in terms of poundage — will have to push the pace once more and assert himself against a very capable striker in Shamrock. But the Stockton battler has to make something good happen early. How he handles the clinch against Shamrock will be key, as Shamrock’s quick feet and heavy strikes could make it a bad proposition to trade from long range. However, regardless of the size of guy Diaz is fighting, he does stay very busy, peppering foes with shots close-up, working busy hands, and constantly pushing the pace.

For Diaz, he has to find a way to control the tempo while taking Shamrock out of his element. For Shamrock, he has to dissuade Diaz from getting into his striking/submissions groove by asserting his greater natural strength, whether standing or on the ground, and put Diaz into survival mode early.

Intangibles
Diaz, 25, is considerably younger than the 36-year-old Shamrock, whose mileage on his body is a real wild card. Could Shamrock be so overconfident that he’ll walk through the seemingly undersized Diaz? Could Diaz be biting off more than he can chew, considering that Shamrock is so much bigger and equally skilled on the ground? Diaz, who hasn’t been finished since the fifth fight of his career, has few equals when it comes to hanging in there in a long, drawn-out war. Will Shamrock, whose stellar conditioning was a thing of legend several years ago, be able to keep up the pace in another three-round battle despite the injuries and mileage?

The pick
This one has the makings of an intriguing fight, because Diaz is always up for a good scrap and Shamrock seems to have the right style to give him a handful. Unlike Cung Le, whose vexing standup left Shamrock with a broken forearm and nary a decent takedown attempt to show for it, Diaz figures to be there to trade. On the ground, however, is where both can score points from top position, as neither is remotely easy to submit. All things seem to point against it, but Diaz has a good chance at an upset here given his motivation and the age difference — it depends on whether or not Shamrock picks his spots correctly or gets sucked into the wrong kind of fight.

For Diaz to win, he has to put Shamrock on his back before getting planted on his. If he does that, he wins a decision, as that will be key to making Shamrock exert energy without scoring effective points. If not, Diaz loses another tough decision.

HONOLULU — Icon Sport middleweight champion Kala Hose (Pictures) pulls main event duty again when the promotion returns to the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena Saturday with “Hard Times.”

Hose, who won the title over a grueling five rounds with Phil Baroni (Pictures) last March, is looking to get back on track after a disappointing loss to Robert McDaniel (Pictures) at an EliteXC event in June. On Saturday, Hose will face Rolando Dominique in a 180-pound non-title affair.

“For me, it’s just important for me to win this fight,” Hose said at a press conference Wednesday.

Never one to take things too seriously though, the 26-year-old former heavyweight broke the tension with his sense of humor.

“Hopefully I just don’t get rear-naked choked,” Hose said, in homage of his last loss. “But I think it’s going to be a good fight.”

A relative unknown, Rolando Dominique is trying to stay cool in the days before the biggest fight of his young career.

“To me it’s just another day on the job. I’ve been here before,” said Dominque. I’ve never really fought anywhere as big as Icon, so it’s exciting, but I try to stay calm. It’s just another fight.”

In the most intriguing matchup of the night, Bao Quach (Pictures) will challenge former 135-pound Icon champ Mark Oshiro (Pictures) for the newly formed 140-pound title.

“I expect some explosive hands from [Oshiro], and I think he should expect the same from me. It’s going to be a toe-to-toe fight and it’s going to be a good bout,” said Quach.

“I’m coming in as maybe the underdog, to me, I don’t mind that. I’m just coming in to prove myself and fight a top-notch fighter like Bao over here,” said Oshiro.

After a string of disappointing losses, including the one that cost him the belt against Hose in March, Phil Baroni (Pictures) looks to get his second win in just three weeks when he takes on Ron Verdadero (Pictures) in a 175-pound matchup.

Baroni’s initial foray into the lower weight class was a success, as he knocked out the less experienced Scott Jansen (Pictures) in the first round of their Cage Rage bout earlier this month in London.

“I feel stronger at this weight. I don’t think I’ve really lost anything,” said Baroni. “I just feel a little bit faster and I think I’m hitting even harder. I learned the hard way that Hawaiian guys are tough.

They got coconut heads and they don’t give up and they go hard.”

Baroni’s intended victim Verdadero is also moving down in weight, and is eager to test himself against the likes of the “New York Bad Ass.”

“I feel great right now. I’ve never been in better shape,” said Verdadero, who has previously only fought at 185 and 205 pounds. “I’ve always wanted to make this move. I just never had the motivation, [but] this fight is pretty good motivation.”

Icon Sport “Hard Times”
Saturday, Aug. 2
Blaisdell Arena
Honolulu

Rolando Dominique vs. Kala Kolohe Hose

140-Pound Title Bout
Bao Quach (Pictures) vs. Mark Oshiro (Pictures)

Ron Verdadero (Pictures) vs. Phil Baroni (Pictures)
Hideto Kondo vs. Sidney Silva (Pictures)
Jose Diaz (Pictures) vs. Mario Miranda
Eddie Rincon (Pictures) vs. Dean Lista (Pictures)
Kurrent Cockett vs. Sadhu Bott (Pictures)
Maui Wolfgram vs. Richard Desforge
Ed Newalu (Pictures) vs. Ricky Hoku Wallace
Kyle Miyahana vs. Brewski Lewis
Ian Dela Cuesta vs. Ola Silva
Brad Tavares vs. Devin Kauwe
Mark Tajon vs. Alan Lima (Pictures)

The Fight Network has announced that they will be televising tomorrow night’s ICON Sport: To Hell and Back event live starting at 10 PM ET.

The network made the announcement on their daily radio show onSirus Satellite Radio.

A total of ten fights are slated to be shown including a main event between Phil Baroni and Kala Kolohe Hose, who will slug it out for the vacant ICON Sport middleweight title.

ICON Sport officials vacated the title from the waist of current EliteXC champion Robbie Lawler after the Miletich Fighting Systems product was forced to pull out of two consecutive title defenses against Hose due to injury. Lawler has since announced his intention of competing for the belt again in the near future.

Other fighters competing on the card include former professional boxer turned mixed martial artist Jeremy Williams, who will attempt to stay undefeated against submission expert Auggie Padekan. Tyson Nam will try to win his second consecutive fight when he takes on Russell Doane.

Ross Ebanez will try to bounce back from a devastating knockout loss to Eddie Alvarez in January when he clashes with Brennan Kamaka. An ICON Sport featherweight title bout between Sadhu Bott and Bronson Pieper is also scheduled to take place.

For those who don’t have The Fight Network, the event will be available to members of ProElite.com free of charge. The televised portion of the card will begin at 8 PM ET. You can visit the event’s official site here