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Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight
Brett “The Grim” Rogers (8-0-0) vs. Ron “Abongo” Humphrey (5-0-0)
Brett Rogers was one of the better heavyweight fighters to compete in Elite XC, now is set to make his Strikeforce debut. While in Elite XC, Brett Rogers went undefeated with victories over Ralph Kelly, James Thompson and Jon Murphy. Brett Rogers was also a veteran of the EFX promotion, where he defeated Chris Clark, Brian Heden, Mark Racine and Josh Melichar. Brett Rogers has yet to have any of his eight fights go past the opening round, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Brett Rogers will be looking to use his striking skills to gain the victory, with seven wins coming by knockout. Ron Humphrey will also be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but is also an undefeated fighter. Ron Humphrey is a veteran of the International Sport Combat Federation promotion, where he defeated John Garner, Chris Herring and Nick Thomas. Ron Humphrey has not had a fight go past four minutes in the first round in five professional bouts, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Ron Humphrey will be looking to use his striking skills to gain the victory, with all five victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Brett Rogers
Strikeforce Women’s 140lb. Division Fight
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (6-1-0) vs. Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano (14-5-0)
Cristiane Santos was one of the two highly touted women fighters to come out of the now defunct Elite XC promotion, the other was Gina Carano. While in Elite XC, Cristiane Santos defeated Shayna Baszler and Yoko Takahashi, then was scheduled to meet Gina Carano before the company folded. Cristiane Santos is also a longtime veteran of the Storm Samurai promotion, where she defeated Vanessa Porto, Chris Schroeder, Elaine Santiago and Marise Vitoria. A victory for Cristiane Santos should be the launching point for her to get the long awaited fight with Gina Carano. Cristiane Santos will be looking to use her striking skills to gain the victory, with four wins coming by knockout. Hitomi Akano will be making her second stateside MMA appearance in her career, which has spanned nearly five years. Hitomi Akano has fought in top international promotions like Smackgirl, G-Shooto, Bodog Fight, MARS and Jewels. In her other MMA appearance in the United States, Hitomi Akano defeated top female fighter Tara LaRosa by unanimous decision.. Hitomi Akano will be entering the fight on a three fight winning streak, with her last loss coming in November 2007. Hitomi Akano will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with eleven victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Cristiane Santos
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Scott “Hands Of Steel” Smith (14-5-0) vs. Benji “Razor” Radach (19-4-0)
Scott Smith is a longtime veteran of the UFC and was the last fighter in the Elite XC promotion to challenge for the Elite XC Middleweight Title. While in the UFC, Scott Smith defeated Pete Sell, while suffering losses to David Terrell, Patrick Cote and Ed Herman. Scott Smith made his Strikeforce debut in November 2008 when he defeated UFC veteran Terry Martin by knockout. Besides competing in the UFC and Strikeforce, Scott Smith also fought in the Elite XC, World Extreme Cagefighting and Gladiator Challenge promotions. Scott Smith will be looking to use his striking skills to gain the victory, with twelve wins coming by knockout. Benji Radach will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but has seen action in the UFC, Elite XC and International Fight League promotions. In his lone Elite XC appearance, Benji Radach defeated Murilo Rua by knockout in the second round. While in the International Fight League, Benji Radach defeated Ryan McGivern, Brian Foster, Bristol Murande, Gerald Harris and Brent Beauparlant, while suffering a loss to Matt Horwich. Benji Radach will be looking to use his striking skills to gain the victory, with fifteen prior wins coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Benji Radach
Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Title Decision
Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (14-2-0) vs. Rodrigo Damm (8-2-0)
Gilbert Melendez is a former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion who lost the title to Josh Thomson at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson in June 2008. Gilbert Melendez was scheduled to face Josh Thomson in a rematch at this event, but Josh Thomson pulled out of the fight after suffering a leg injury. Gilbert Melendez started off his MMA career in impressive fashion with a thirteen fight undefeated streak, with one of those victories coming over UFC veteran Clay Guida. Besides competing in Strikeforce, Gilbert Melendez also competed in the PRIDE, Shooto and World Extreme Cagefighting promotions. Gilbert Melendez will be looking to use his striking skills to gain the victory, with eight victories coming by knockout. Rodrigo Damm will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, as a late replacement for the injured Josh Thomson. Rodrigo Damm was recently on an eight fight winning streak that lasted nearly three years, with all those wins coming in international competition. Rodrigo Damm is a veteran of promotions like Shooto Brazil, Bodog Fight, MARS, Night Of The Fight and Sengoku. This fight against Gilbert Melendez will be the first time Rodrigo Damm has competed in the United States. Rodrigo Damm will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with five victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Gilbert Melendez
Strikeforce Catchweight Division Fight
Frank Shamrock (23-9-2) vs. Nick Diaz (18-7-0)
Frank Shamrock is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and more recently, the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. In his two previous fights in Strikeforce, Frank Shamrock defeated Phil Baroni, before suffering a loss to Cung Le. Frank Shamrock is a longtime veteran of the UFC, where he fought top fighters like Kevin Jackson, Jeremy Horn and Tito Ortiz. Frank Shamrock also fought more than half of his career fights in the Pancrase promotion, where he fought the likes of Bas Rutten, Vernon White, Yuki Kondo and Minoru Suzuki. Frank Shamrock also fought in the debut event of Elite XC, where he lost to Renzo Gracie by DQ after illegal strikes. Frank Shamrock will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with fourteen career victories coming by submission. Nick Diaz will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of PRIDE, UFC and Elite XC promotions. While in the UFC, Nick Diaz fought top fighters like Robbie Lawler, Karo Parisyan, Drew Fickett, Diego Sanchez, Joe Riggs, Sean Sherk and Josh Neer.. In his lone PRIDE appearance, Nick Diaz pulled a huge upset and defeated Takanori Gomi, but the decision was later overturned by the NSAC after Nick Diaz failed a drug test. While in Elite XC, Nick Diaz defeated Mike Aina, Thomas Denny and Mushin Corbbrey, with a lone loss coming to Elite XC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons. Nick Diaz will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with ten victories coming by way of knockout.
My Prediction: Nick Diaz
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