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Bobby Lashley (4-0-0) vs. Wes “A Whole Show†Sims (22-12-1)
Bobby Lashley will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he has already headlined an MMA pay-per-view, when he defeated Bob Sapp at an Ultimate Chaos event in June 2009. Bobby Lashley joins former TNA Champion Ken Shamrock as the only two wrestlers to be on a TNA roster and compete in mixed martial arts at the same time. Besides defeating Bob Sapp, Bobby Lashley also holds a victory over UFC Ultimate Fighter alumni Jason Guida. Of his four professional fights, only one has gone to a decision for Bobby Lashley, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Bobby Lashley will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with two victories coming by way of submission. Wes Sims will also be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but was most recently part of the cast on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 10. Wes Sims had a rather unsuccessful run in the UFC, losing to Frank Mir (twice) and Mike Kyle, before returning at the promotions reality show. Wes Sims most recently competed in the Full Contact Fight Series promotion, defeating William Clifford, Clifford Coon, Daniel Long, William Jaggers, Robert Hogan and Jason DeAngelo. Wes Sims also had a quick run in the International Fight League, fighting Daniel Gracie to a technical draw. It has been a little over a year since Wes Sims has had an MMA fight, so cage rust can become a factor in the fight. Wes Sims is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with twenty victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Bobby Lashley
Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight
Herschel Walker (0-0-0) vs. Greg “Dangerous†Nagy (1-1-0)
Herschel Walker will not only be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but his professional mixed martial arts debut as well. Herschel Walker has trained in MMA for many years prior to this fight, but his lack of in cage experience could hurt him in this fight. Greg Nagy will also be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but has fought his entire career in the Rage In The Cage promotion. While in Rage In The Cage, Greg Nagy has defeated Robert Principato, while suffering a defeat to Francisco Navarro. Greg Nagy will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with his lone MMA victory coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Greg Nagy
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
“Ruthless†Robbie Lawler (16-5-0) vs. “Marvelous†Melvin Manhoef (24-6-1)
Robbie Lawler has fought once before in the Strikeforce promotion, suffering a defeat to Jake Shields in June 2009. Robbie Lawler is a former Elite XC Middleweight Champion, who defeated Scott Smith and Murilo Rua before the promotion closed down. Robbie Lawler has also competed in the UFC, defeating Aaron Riley, Steve Berger, Tiki Ghosn and Chris Lytle, while suffering defeats to Pete Spratt, Nick Diaz and Evan Tanner. Robbie Lawler has also made a lone appearance in the PRIDE promotion, where he defeated Joey Villasenor by knockout. Robbie Lawler started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a seven fight undefeated streak that had lasted over two years. Robbie Lawler will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with thirteen victories coming by knockout. Melvin Manhoef will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but has primarily fought overseas in the K-1 and DREAM promotions. While in the K-1 promotion, Melvin Manhoef has defeated Shungo Oyama, Crosley Gracie, Kazou Takahashi, Bernard Ackah, Fabio Silva, Yosuke Nishijima, Mark Hunt and Kazou Misaki, while suffering defeats to Yoshiro Akiyama and Dong Sik Yoon. While in the DREAM promotion, Melvin Manhoef has defeated Dae Won Kim and Kazushi Sakuraba, while suffering defeats to Gegard Mousasi and Paulo Filho. It has been less than a month since Melvin Manhoef last competed in an MMA fight, so conditioning could be a factor in the fight. Melvin Manhoef will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with twenty three victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Melvin Manhoef
Strikeforce 145lb. Women’s Division Title Fight
Cristiane “Cyborg†Santos (8-1-0) (Champion) vs. Marloes “Rumina†Coenen (17-3-0)
Cristiane Santos has gone undefeated in Strikeforce competition, defeating both Hitomi Akano and Gina Carano, the latter victory gained her the Strikeforce 145lb. Women’s Title. Cristiane Santos has spent the majority of her career in the Samurai Storm promotion, defeating Vanessa Porto, Chris Schroeder, Elaine Santiago and Marise Vitoria. Prior to Elite XC closing down in 2008, Cristiane Santos had defeated Shayna Baszler and Yoko Takahashi. Cristiane Santos will be entering the fight riding an eight fight winning streak that has currently lasted over four years. Cristiane Santos will be looking to use her striking skills to win the fight, with six victories coming by knockout. Marloes Coenen has gone undefeated thus far in Strikeforce competition, defeating Roxanne Modaferri in November 2009. Marloes Coenen has primarily fought overseas in MMA competition, having fought in promotions like Smackgirl, ReMix and K Grace. While in those promotions, Marloes Coenen has fought top MMA competition like Erin Toughill, Yuuki Kondo and Yoko Takahashi. Marloes Coenen started off her MMA career in impressive fashion, with an eight fight undefeated streak that lasted over four years. In an interesting career note for Marloes Coenen, she had started off her MMA career by competing in four MMA bouts in under two weeks. Marloes Coenen will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with twelve victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Cristiane Santos
Strikeforce Welterweight Title Decision Fight
Nick Diaz (20-7-0) vs. Marius “The Whitemare†Zeromskis (13-3-0)
Nick Diaz is currently undefeated in Strikeforce competition, having defeated both Frank Shamrock and Scott Smith. Nick Diaz also had a long run in the UFC, defeating Jeremy Jackson, Robbie Lawler, Drew Fickett, Koji Oishi, Josh Neer and Gleison Tibau, while suffering defeats to Karo Parisyan, Diego Sanchez, Joe Riggs and Sean Sherk. Nick Diaz has also fought overseas in the DREAM promotion, where he defeated Katsuya Inoue by TKO in the opening round. Nick Diaz will be entering the fight riding a five fight undefeated streak that has currently lasted over two years. Nick Diaz will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with eleven victories coming by knockout. Marius Zeromskis will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but has fought in both the DREAM and Cage Rage promotions. While in DREAM, Marius Zeromskis won the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix by defeating Seichi Ikemoto, Hayato Sakurai and Jason High. Marius Zeromskis also competed in the Cage Rage promotion, where he holds victories over UFC veterans Ross Pointon and Ross Mason. In this fight, Marius Zeromskis will also be making his North American MMA debut, while he has exclusively competed overseas at this point. Marius Zeromskis will be entering the fight riding a five fight winning streak that has lasted over a year. Marius Zeromskis will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with ten victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Marius Zeromskis
(Note: I will be providing live coverage of Strikeforce: Miami on Saturday January 30th at 9pm EST. on PWInsiderXtra.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
