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Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Daniel Hernandez (2-4-0) vs. Ron Kesler (2-1-0)
Despite the losing record, Daniel Hernandez has already fought in such promotions as King Of The Cage and Total Fighting Alliance. Daniel Hernandez has only been fighting for around a year, which means he is currently fighting every two months. One of the two victories Daniel Hernandez achieved was by knockout, but he has also suffered three losses by submission. Ron Kesler has spent his entire career competing in the International Fighting & Boxing League, but hasnʼt competed in a year. The three fights in Ron Keslerʼs career has lasted a total time of five minutes, which is an impressive statistic. All three of Ron Keslerʼs fights have ended by submission, so this one will definitely be going to the ground.
My Prediction: Ron Kesler
Strikeforce Featherweight Division Fight
Evan Esquerra (1-2-0-1NC) vs. Gabby Solorio (0-1-0)
Evan Esguerra has previously competed twice before in the Strikeforce promotion, fighting Chris Drumm to a no contest in November 2007 and losing to Alvin Cacdac in February 2008. Besides those two fights, Evan Esguerra also competed in the Cage Combat Fighting Championships, defeating Jeremy Tavares, while losing to Tony Boyles. Gabby Solorio has competed once before in professional MMA, losing to Kris Zabish at IFC Warriors Challenge 22. This is a key fight for both fighters, because one fighter will get the chance to have an even record while the other will move on with a losing record..
My Prediction: Evan Esguerra
Strikeforce Featherweight Division Fight
David Barrios (0-4-0) vs. Andrew Valladarez (1-1-0)
Although David Barrios has yet to attain victory in four professional fights, he has fought top fighters like Anthony Figueroa and Chris Cariaso. David Barrios has also competed previously in the Strikeforce promotion, as well as No Limits Fighting and Cage Combat Fighting Championships. It has been more than a year since David Barrios has last competed, so conditioning could play a factor in the fight. Andrew Valladarez competed in the first ever Strikeforce: Young Guns event, losing to Chris Cariaso by decision. The lone victory in Andrew Valladarezʼs career took place at Melee On The Mountain in July 2007, by submission over Alvin Cadcus. It has also been more than a year since Andrew Valladarez has competed in MMA, so his conditioning is going to be a factor as well.
My Prediction: Andrew Valladarez
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Brandon Michaels (0-1-0) vs. Luke Rockhold (2-1-0)
Brandon Michaels has less than one month of professional MMA experience and he is already competing in his second career fight. The lone fight thus far in Brandon Michaels career took place in August 2008, a loss to Paul Karsky at Long Beach Fight Night. The lack of inexperience for Brandon Michaels could play the biggest factor in the fight in the second fight of his career. Luke Rockhold has previously competed in the Strikeforce promotion and the Melee On The Mountain promotion. All three of Luke Rockholdʼs fights ended within the first round, so his finishing abilities wonʼt be in question during the fight. Both of Luke Rockholdʼs victories have come by submission, so he will want to put the fight on the ground.
My Prediction: Luke Rockhold
Strikeforce Featherweight Division Fight
Alvin Cacdac (4-4-0) vs. Jose Palacios (3-1-0)
Alvin Cacdac is the only fighter in Strikeforce history to have competed in all three Strikeforce: Young Guns events, defeating Bobby Sanchez and Evan Esguerra in prior events. Alvin Cacdac could be a fighter who can make an impact in the Strikeforce promotion if he could string together a few wins in the promotion. Alvin Cacdac is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight on the feet or on the ground, with three victories coming by knockout and submission. Jose Palacios is a fighter who started off his career on a three fight undefeated streak with victories over Jason Childers, Robert Elledge and Miguel Linaris. The lone loss in Jose Palaciosʼs career came to Bobby Stack at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thompson in June 2008. Jose Palacios has won all three of his fights by knockout, submission and decision, so he will be comfortable wherever the fight goes.
My Prediction: Jose Palacios
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
