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KJ Noons (8-2-0) vs. Conor “Hurricane†Heun (8-3-0)
KJ Noons will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the now deceased Elite XC promotion. While in Elite XC, KJ Noons defeated James Edson Berto, Nick Diaz and Yves Edwards, while suffering a lone defeat to Charles Bennett. During his time in Elite XC, KJ Noons became the first and only Elite XC Lightweight Champion when he defeated Nick Diaz at Elite XC: Renegade. KJ Noons most recently competed in the DREAM promotion, defeating Andre Amado by unanimous decision. KJ Noons is also a veteran of the Super Brawl promotion, defeating both Malik Williams and Bryson Kamaka. Of his ten professional MMA fights, only one has ended via decision for KJ Noons, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. KJ Noons will be entering the fight riding a four fight winning streak, which has lasted nearly three years. KJ Noons will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with seven victories coming by knockout. Conor Heun is currently winless in Strikeforce, suffering a defeat to Jorge Gurgel at Strikeforce Challengers 2. Conor Heun is also a veteran of the Elite XC promotion, defeating both Marlon Matias and James Edson Berto. It has been nearly a year since Conor Heun last competed in an MMA fight, so cage rust can become a factor in the fight. Conor Heun also fought in the International Fight League, defeating Clint Coronel and Tristan Wit, while suffering a lone defeat to LC Davis. Conor Heun fought the majority of his eleven MMA fights in 2007, winning five of those six encounters. Conor Heun also fought in the Total Fighting Alliance, defeating Jonathan Pastrana and Gilbert Salinas, while suffering a lone defeat to Brett Cooper. Conor Heun will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with five victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: KJ Noons
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Trevor Prangley (22-5-1) vs. Tim Kennedy (11-2-0)
Trevor Prangley has had a successful run in the Strikeforce promotion, defeating Anthony Ruiz and Falaniko Vitale, while suffering a defeat to Jorge Santiago. Trevor Prangley is a veteran of the UFC as well, defeating Curtis Stout and Travis Lutter, while suffering defeats to both Jeremy Horn and Chael Sonnen. Trevor Prangley started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a six fight undefeated streak that had lasted over two years. Trevor Prangley also fought in the Bodog Fight promotion, defeating Kyacey Uscola, Andrei Seminov, Pierre Goulet and Yuki Kondo. In his most recent Strikeforce appearance, Trevor Prangley fought Kkarl Amoussou to a technical draw at Strikeforce Challengers 6. Trevor Prangley will be entering the fight riding a five fight winning streak, which has currently lasted nearly two years. Trevor Prangley will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with nine victories coming by way of submission. Tim Kennedy is currently undefeated in Strikeforce competition, with victories over Nick Thompson and Zak Cummings. Tim Kennedy was also a veteran of the International Fight League, defeating Dante Rivera, Ryan McGivern and Elias Rivera. After his run ended in the International Fight League, Tim Kennedy took an eighteen month break from MMA, returning at Strikeforce Challengers 2 in June 2009. Tim Kennedy once competed three times in one night at Extreme Challenge 50, defeating Ryan Narte, Jason Miller and Cruz Chacon. At one point in his MMA career, Tim Kennedy went on an eight fight winning streak which had lasted over six years. Tim Kennedy also fought once in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, defeating Mack Brewer by TKO. Tim Kennedy will be entering the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which has lasted over two years. Tim Kennedy is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with ten victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Tim Kennedy
Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Marius “The Whitemare†Zaromskis (13-4-0) vs. Evangelista “Cyborg†Santos (17-13-0)
Marius Zaromskis is currently winless in Strikeforce competition, suffering a defeat to Nick Diaz at Strikeforce: Miami. Marius Zaromskis won the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix, defeating Seichi Ikemoto, Hayato Sakurai and Jason High. Also in DREAM competition, Marius Zaromskis defeated Myung Bae at DREAM 12 in October 2009. Marius Zaromskis is a longtime veteran of the Cage Rage promotion, defeating Afnan Saeed, Darius Swierkosz, Damien Riccio, Ross Mason and Ross Pointon, while suffering a defeat to Che Mills. Despite competing in professional MMA for nearly a decade, Marius Zaromskis did not make his North American MMA debut until Strikeforce: Miami in January 2010. Of his seventeen professional MMA fights, only one has gone to a decision for Marius Zaromskis, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. Marius Zaromskis will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with ten victories coming by knockout. Evangelista Santos is currently winless in Strikeforce competition, suffering a defeat to Joey Villasenor at Strikeforce Challengers 2. Evangelista Santos has also fought in the PRIDE promotion, defeating Yosuke Nishijima and suffering a defeat to Kazuhiro Nakamura. In his professional MMA debut, Evangelista Santos competed in the Brazilian Vale Tudo Fighting 8 Tournament, defeating Roberto Pereira and Adriano Verdelli, while losing to Jose Landi-Jons in the finals. Evangelista Santos also fought in the Cage Rage promotion, defeating Mark Epstein and Darren Little, while suffering defeats to Anthony Rea, Melvin Manhoef and James Zikic. Evangelista Santos will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with ten victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Marius Zaromskis
Strikeforce Catchweight Division Fight
“Ruthless†Robbie Lawler (17-5-0) vs. Renato “Babalu†Sobral (35-8-0)
Robbie Lawler has had an interesting run in the Strikeforce promotion, defeating Melvin Manhoef and suffering a defeat to Jake Shields. Robbie Lawler 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 started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a seven fight undefeated streak that had lasted over two years. Robbie Lawler also went undefeated in the Elite XC promotion, defeating both Murilo Rua and Scott Smith. Speaking of Elite XC, Robbie Lawler was the final middleweight champion in the Elite XC promotion, defeating Murilo Rua to win the title. Robbie Lawler also fought once in the PRIDE promotion, defeating Joey Villasenor by knockout in the opening round. Robbie Lawler will be entering the fight riding a single fight winning streak, which has lasted nearly five months. Robbie Lawler will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with fourteen victories coming by knockout. Renato Sobral has had an interesting run in Strikeforce, defeating Bobby Southworth and suffering a defeat to Gegard Mousasi. Renato Sobral is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, defeating Bobby Southworth for the title. Renato Sobral competed at both Affliction MMA events, defeating Mike Whitehead and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. Renato Sobral also competed in the UFC, defeating Maurice Smith, Elvis Sinosic, Travis Wiuff, Chael Sonnen, Mike Van Arsdale and David Heath, while suffering defeats to Kevin Randleman, Chuck Liddell and Jason Lambert. Renato Sobral started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a twelve fight undefeated streak that had lasted over two years. It has been nearly a year since Renato Sobral last had an MMA fight, so cage rust can become a factor in the fight. Early in his MMA career, Renato Sobral fought Fedor Emelianenko at the Rings 10th Anniversary event, suffering a defeat. Renato Sobral will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with eighteen victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Renato Sobral
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
