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Tonight’s card includes…
* Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight: Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields
* Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight: Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers
* Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight: Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith
* Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight: Joe Riggs vs. Phil Baroni
* Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Division Fight: Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead
Here are the preliminary fight results…
* Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran by submission via Triangle Choke (2:18, R1)
* Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia by DQ via illegal strike (3:26, R1)
* Tyron Woodley def. Salvoder Woods by submission via North-South Choke (4:20, R1)
* Booker DeRousse def. James Wade by TKO via Strikes (4:06, R1)
* Mike Kyle def. Rafael Cavalcante by TKO via Strikes (4:05, R2)
* Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner by submission via Key Lock (1:55, R1)
Gus Johnson welcomes the viewers to the event before introducing Frank Shamrock, then they go over the card for the evening. Gus Johnson then introduces Mauro Ranallo, who discusses the heavyweight bout between Andrei Arlovski and Brett Rogers.
Fight #1: Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Division Fight:
Kevin Randleman (17-12-0) vs. Mike Whitehead (23-7-0)
Referee: John McCarthy
Round One
The round begins with Mike Whitehead hitting Kevin Randleman with inside leg kicks, Mike Whitehead misses a head kick and Kevin Randleman immediately takes him down. Mike Whitehead escapes and both fighters stand back up, Mike Whitehead delivers a knee strike to Kevin Randleman before scoring a takedown. Kevin Randleman escapes and both fighters stand up again, Mike Whitehead then delivers a leg kick before using a double leg takedown and both fighters stand up quickly. Mike Whitehead wastes no time in taking Kevin Randleman down again, Mike Whitehead delivers a few quickly body shots before Kevin Randleman escapes and both fighters stand up. Mike Whitehead then hits Kevin Randleman with two straight upper cuts, Mike Whitehead then uses a double leg takedown on Kevin Randleman as the round concludes.
Round Two
The round begins with Mike Whitehead hitting Kevin Randleman with a right hook, Mike Whitehead then takes Kevin Randleman down with a double leg takedown. Mike Whitehead transitions to side control on Kevin Randleman, Mike Whitehead then transitions into full mount on Kevin Randleman. Kevin Randleman finds a way to escape and both fighters stand up, Mike Whitehead then hits Kevin Randleman with an inside leg kick. Mike Whitehead then connects on a weak jab to Kevin Randleman as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Kevin Randle dazing Mike Whitehead after hitting him with an overhead right, Mike Whitehead then hits Kevin Randleman with a straight right to the face. Kevin Randleman then hits Mike Whitehead with a left hook and drops him, Mike Whitehead quickly stands up and locks up with Kevin Randleman and then starts throwing knee strikes at him. Mike Whitehead then takes Kevin Randleman down with a double leg, Mike Whitehead then attempts to apply the kimura to Kevin Randleman. Mike Whitehead releases the hold and both fighters get back to their feet, Mike Whitehead then nails Kevin Randleman with a right hook. Mike Whitehead and Kevin Randleman exchange a few jabs as the round comes to a conclusion.
Fight Result: Mike Whitehead def. Kevin Randleman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mauro Ranallo hypes the upcoming fights while Pat Miletech, Josh Thomson, Gilbert Melendez, Tim Sylvia, Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett are shown in the crowd.
Fight #2: Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight:
Joe Riggs (29-10-0) vs. Phil Baroni (13-10-0)
Referee: John McCarthy
Round One
The round begins with Joe Riggs throwing a head kick at Phil Baroni, Joe Riggs then forces Phil Baroni to the ground before getting control of his back. Joe Riggs then transitions to full mount, Phil Baroni then forces Joe Riggs to side control before Joe Riggs gains side control. The fighters stand back up and Joe Riggs forces Phil Baroni against the cage wall, Phil Baroni takes Joe Riggs down and goes into his guard. Phil Baroni then stays in the guard while punching Joe Riggs in the ribs, referee John McCarthy stands both fighters up and Joe Riggs hits Phil Baroni with a straight right. Joe Riggs then forces Phil Baroni against the cage wall, Phil Baroni then gains control of Joe Riggs back as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with Joe Riggs throwing a body kick at Phil Baroni, Joe Riggs then hits Phil Baroni with a leg kick and superman punch. Joe Riggs then takes Phil Baroni down, but Phil Baroni quickly reverses things by taking Joe Riggs down and getting into his guard. The fighters quickly stand up and Joe Riggs quickly hits him with a straight right, Joe Riggs then hits Phil Baroni with a left to the head. Joe Riggs then hits Phil Baroni with a flying knee strike and straight right, Phil Baroni tries to get two takedowns on Joe Riggs and both are blocked. Joe Riggs then pulls Phil Baroni into his guard, Joe Riggs then locks Phil Baroni in the triangle choke and Phil Baroni eventually escapes. Phil Baroni then forces Joe Riggs into the cage before throwing a few punches as the round concludes.
Round Three
The round begins with Joe Riggs hitting Phil Baroni with an inside leg kick, Joe Riggs then hits Phil Baroni with a spinning heel kick to the chest. Joe Riggs then hits Phil Baroni with a flying knee strike and left hook, Joe Riggs then hits Phil Baroni with a straight left. Joe Riggs then connects with the inside leg kick on Phil Baroni, Joe Riggs then connects with another knee strike on Phil Baroni. Joe Riggs then hits Phil Baroni with a series of left hooks, Joe Riggs then mocks Phil Baroni before hitting him with knee strikes and punching combinations. Phil Baroni then hits Joe Riggs with a straight left, Joe Riggs responds by hitting Phil Baroni with a left hook and leg kick. Phil Baroni then hits Joe Riggs with two straight right hooks, Joe Riggs then scores a takedown on Phil Baroni as the round ends.
Fight Result: Joe Riggs def. Phil Baroni by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Post fight interview with Joe Riggs, who says he broke both of his hands in the fight and he talks about how his family inspired him as he fought tonight with the flu. Joe Riggs then puts over Phil Baroni and says he wants to fight Jake Shields at an upcoming event.
Mauro Ranallo announces Gina Carano vs. Cristiane Santos and Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez on August 15th. Mauro Ranallo then interviews Gilbert Melendez, who says that Josh Thomson is a great champion and his training has improved since their last fight. Mauro Ranallo then interviews Josh Thomson, who says his injuries have healed and he is back training, then says he will be changing his game plan for the rematch.
Fight #3: Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight:
Nick Diaz (19-7-0) vs. Scott Smith (17-5-0)
Referee: John McCarthy
Round One
The Fight begins with both fighters throwing punching combinations at each other, Scott Smith then forces Nick Diaz into the cage wall. Scott Smith then throws a left hook at Nick Diaz, Nick Diaz then hits Scott Smith with three straight jabs and a right hook. Nick Diaz then hits Scott Smith with a head kick and right hook, Scott Smith then forces Nick Diaz into the cage wall. Scott Smith then hits Nick Diaz with a straight right, Nick Diaz then forces Scott Smith into the cage wall while using kidney punches. Scott Smith then hits Nick Diaz with a right hook, Scott Smith then gains control of Nick Diaz’s back and gets a takedown. Nick Diaz then hits Scott Smith with a series of jabs, Scott Smith then hits Nick Diaz with a hard inside leg kick and right hook. Nick Diaz uses a leg trip takedown on Scott Smith as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with Nick Diaz hitting Scott Smith with an inside leg kick, Scott Smith then gains control of Nick Diaz’s back. Scott Smith then hits Nick Diaz with a right hook, Nick Diaz recovers by hitting Scott Smith with a body shot and series of jabs. Scott Smith responds by hitting Nick Diaz with three straight righ hands, Nick Diaz then assaults Scott Smith with a ton of jabs and a leg kick. Nick Diaz then hits Scott Smith with a knee strike to the chest, both fighters connect on body punches near the cage wall. Scott Smith then hits Nick Diaz with an inside leg kick, Scott Smith then throws a superman punch at Nick Diaz. Nick Diaz continues to frustrate Scott Smith with punches as the round concludes.
Round Three
The round begins with Scott Smith hitting Nick Diaz with a right hook, Scott Smith then briefly puts Nick Diaz down with a takedown. Nick Diaz then drops Scott Smith with a body strike before gaining control of his back, Nick Diaz then locks in the rear naked choke and Scott Smith quickly taps out.
Fight Result: Nick Diaz def. Scott Smith by submission via Rear Naked Choke (1:41, R3)
Post fight interview with Nick Diaz, who says that the person portrayed on TV isn’t the real Nick Diaz and he wasn’t surprised that he tapped Scott Smith out. Nick Diaz then insults Scott Smith’s training team and invites Scott Smith to join his MMA training squad.
Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett are shown in the crowd again.
Fight #4: Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight:
Andrei Arlovski (15-6-0) vs. Brett Rogers (9-0-0)
Referee: John McCarthy
Round One
The fight begins with Andrei Arlovski hitting Brett Rogers with a leg kick, Brett Rogers then hits Andrei Arlovski with a quick punching combo and Andrei Arlovski goes limp as John McCarthy jumps in and stops the fight.
Fight Result: Brett Rogers def. Andrei Arlovski by TKO via Strikes (0:22, R1)
Post fight interview with Brett Rogers, who says his work ethic is what gained him victory tonight, then he discusses how he achieved his knockout while watching the replay on the big screen.
Mauro Ranallo interviews Fedor Emelianenko, who says he is happy to be accepted by American MMA fans now and that Andrei Arlovski chose the wrong strategy against Brett Rogers. Fedor Emelianenko then says he is training hard for his upcoming fight with Josh Barnett at Affliction: Trilogy. Mauro Ranallo then interviews Josh Barnett, who says he will have to be at his best to defeat Fedor Emelianenko and he wasn’t surprised that Brett Rogers defeated Andrei Arlovski tonight.
Gus Johnson, Mauro Ranallo and Frank Shamrock talk about the upcoming main event between Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields.
Main Event: Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight:
Robbie Lawler (16-4-0) vs. Jake Shields (22-4-1)
Referee: John McCarthy
Round One
The round begins with Jake Shields quickly hitting Robbie Lawler with a leg kick, Robbie Lawler then hits Jake Shields with two body punches. Jake Shields uses the clinch to hit Robbie Lawler with knee strikes, Jake Shields then hits Robbie Lawler with a body kick. Jake Shields then locks in a guillotine choke from out of nowhere and Robbie Lawler is forced to tap out.
Fight Result: Jake Shields def. Robbie Lawler by submission via Guillotine Choke (2:02, R1)
Post fight interview with Jake Shields, who talks about his admiration for Robbie Lawler and how his jiu-jitsu skills lead to the victory and overcoming the strength advantage. Jake Shields then challenges Cung Le for the Strikeforce Middleweight Title. Robbie Lawler is up next and he discusses the mistakes that lead to the loss, then he says he will return a better fighter.
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
