PREVIEWING THE STRIKEFORCE: DESTRUCTION TELEVISED CARD
By David Tees on 11/20/2008 2:14 PM
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Darren Uyenoyama (4-2-0) vs. Brad Royster (1-1-0)
Darren Uyenoyama is coming of a stellar performance in the Dream Middleweight Grand Prix 2008, losing to Hideo Tokoro in the quarterfinals. Darren Uyenoyama is also a Strikeforce veteran, defeating Andrew Valladerez and Anthony Figueroa in his other two appearances. Besides competing internationally in DREAM, Darren Uyenoyama has also competed internationally for DEEP, where he defeated Rambaa Somdet by unanimous decision. Darren Uyenoyama will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with three prior victories coming by submission. Brad Royster is entering the fight as quite the underdog, with only two professional fights under his belt and he hasn’t fought in over a year. In his two professional fights, Brad Royster defeated Brandon Gushiken, while suffering a loss to Gerald Lovato. In an interesting side note, Brad Roysters two previous fights have gone to decision, which shows he has the conditioning to make this a long fight.
My Prediction: Darren Uyenoyama
Strikeforce Women’s 130lb. Division Fight
Kim “Sugar Free” Couture (0-1-0) vs. Lina Kvokov (0-1-0)
In a fight where both of the female competitors are winless, I haven’t heard this much commotion for a female fight since the last Gina Carano fight. Kim Couture fought in one previous fight, a loss to Kim Rose at Banner Promotions: Night Of Combat, a fight that saw Kim Couture fight three rounds with a jaw that was broken in the first round. Training with husband Randy Couture would make you think that Kim Couture’s best chance at victory would be to take the fight to the ground. Lina Kvokov is also a winless fighter who fought previously against Tamara Parks at Fatal Femmes Fighting 4. That loss to Tamara Parks by submission by arm bar, so she spent a lot less time competing in her debut fight than Kim Couture did.
My Prediction: Kim Couture
Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Luke Stewart (6-1-0) vs. Joe “Diesel” Riggs (28-10-0)
Luke Stewart could become the next big welterweight fighter in Strikeforce, having already fought Jeremiah Metcalf, Jason Von Flue and Tiki Ghosn.. Luke Stewart is the only fighter currently on the Strikeforce roster that has fought every single fight of his career in the Strikeforce promotion. If Luke Stewart can pull out the victory over Joe Riggs, expect a future Strikeforce Welterweight Title opportunity to come his way. Luke Stewart is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight on the feet or on the ground, with all six career victories coming by knockout or submission. Joe Riggs is one of the most experienced fighters in MMA today, having fought top MMA names like Wesley Correira, Herb Dean, Kendall Grove, Joe Doerkson, Ivan Salaverry, Chris Lytle, Matt Hughes, Nick Diaz, Mike Swick, Jason Von Flue, Diego Sanchez and Eugene Jackson. In recent interviews, Joe Riggs has stated that this will be his last fight in Strikeforce, as he looks forward to a possible UFC return. Like his opponent, Joe Riggs is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight on the feet or on the ground, with twenty six victories coming by knockout or submission.
My Prediction: Luke Stewart
Strikeforce Lightweight Division Fight
Yves Edwards (34-14-1) vs. Duane “Bang” Ludwig (17-8-0)
This fight was originally scheduled to be a Strikeforce Lightweight Title fight between champion Josh Thomson and Yves Edwards, but a foot injury forced Josh Thomson off the card. Yves Edwards is a veteran fighter who has fought in top promotions like the UFC, Extreme Challenge, Hook N’ Shoot, King Of The Cage, PRIDE and Elite XC. Actually, this will be the first fight for Yves Edwards since the closing of Elite XC a little over a month ago. Yves Edwards has also fought top MMA fighters like Fabiano Iha, Thomas Denny, Nate Marquardt, Aaron Riley, Pete Spratt, Caol Uno, Rich Clementi, Hermes Franca, Josh Thomson, Mark Hominick, Joe Stevenson, Edson Berto and KJ Noons. Yves Edwards is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight on the feet or on the ground, with twenty seven career victories coming by knockout or submission. Duane Ludwig is one of the best lightweight fighters that has never seen time in the UFC, having already fought top MMA names like Charles Bennett, Thomas Denny, Jens Pulver, Genki Sudo, BJ Penn, Sam Morgan, Jonathan Goulet, Tyson Griffin, Josh Thomson, Tony Fryklund, Takanori Gomo and Paul Daley. One would think that, as a replacement, a victory for Duane Ludwig would give him an opportunity at the Strikeforce Lightweight Title. Despite prominence outside of Strikeforce, Duane Ludwig has only won one fight in Strikeforce out of four appearances. Duane Ludwig goes by the nickname “bang” due to his knockout ability, which is how he has achieved ten victories.
My Prediction: Yves Edwards
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Terry Martin (18-5-0) vs. Scott “Hands Of Steel” Smith (13-5-0)
This fight between Terry Martin and Scott Smith could easily determine who gets the next Strikeforce Middleweight Title opportunity against champion Cung Le. Terry Martin is a powerhouse striker with past UFC experience, who has already fought top MMA fighters like Chael Sonnen, James Irvin, Jason Lambert, Jason Guida, Jorge Rivera, Ivan Salaverry, Chris Leben, Marvin Eastman and Vitor Belfort. In two of his last three fights, Terry Martin fought in two promotions debut events, those promotions were Affliction and Adrenaline MMA. Terry Martin will be looking to use his striking skills to gain the victory, with eleven career victories coming by knockout. Scott Smith joins Yves Edwards at this event as another Elite XC fighter, who is fighting in a new promotion after the closing of Elite XC. In his last two fights, Scott Smith has been embroiled in a war with Robbie Lawler over the Elite XC Middleweight Title. Scott Smith is a well traveled MMA fighter who has fought James Irvin, Justin Levens, Tait Fletcher, David Terrell, Pete Sell, Patrick Cote, Ed Herman and Robbie Lawler. Scott Smith got the nickname “hands of steel” for a reason, with eleven career victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Scott Smith
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title Fight
Bobby Southworth *Champion* (9-5-0-1NC) vs. Renato “Babalu” Sobral (30-7-0)
Most MMA fans will probably remember Bobby Southworth during his run as a contestant on the first season of UFC Ultimate Fighter. Bobby Southworth transitioned from a UFC reality show competitor to a Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion with victories over Vernon White, Bill Mahood and Anthony Ruiz in Strikeforce. Early in his career, Bobby Southworth had a fight with former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort at PRIDE 13. Bobby Southworth is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight on the feet or on the ground, with seven career victories coming by knockout or submission. Renato Sobral was at one point, one of the biggest stars in the UFC, until a controversial act after his fight with David Heath got him booted from the promotion. In 2003, Renato Sobral won the International Fighting Championship: Global Domination Tournament by defeating Trevor Prangley, Mauricio Rua and Jeremy Horn. Renato Sobral has also fought other top MMA fighters like Dan Henderson, Maurice Smith, Fedor Emelianenko, Kevin Randleman, Elvis Sinosic, Chuck Liddell, Travis Wiuff, Chael Sonnen, Mike Van Arsdale, Jason Lambert and Mike Whitehead. Despite getting a Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title Fight against Bobby Southworth, this fight will be Renato Sobral’s Strikeforce debut. Renato Sobral will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with sixteen career victories coming by submission.
My Prediction: Renato Sobral
