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Round One: A Silverback Success
Most people in the MMA community assumed that Vitor Ribeiro would take a step closer to his glory days when he took on Justin Wilcox in the main event. However, Justin Wilcox rose to the occasion on Friday Night and out struck Vitor Ribeiro on route to a unanimous decision victory. Justin Wilcox could be a fight or two away from finding himself on the bigger Strikeforce events in 2011. Vitor Ribeiro, sadly enough, looks like reliving his glory days can only be considered a far fetched dream at this point.
Next Round For Justin Wilcox: KJ Noons or Jorge Gurgel would be interesting
Next Round For Vitor Ribeiro: A leave of absence from Strikeforce
Round Two: The “Britt†Is Beaten
Prior to facing Ovince St. Preux on Friday Night, Antwain Britt was making talk about challenge Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion in 2011. That potential fight will now be on the backburner, because Ovince St. Preux wound up defeating Antwain Britt by unanimous decision. Ovince St. Preux had dominated the opening and closing rounds on Friday Night, while Antwain Britt won the middle stanza. Ovince St. Preux, much like when he competed in NCAA Football, dominated another obstacle on route to a victory.
Next Round For Ovince St. Preux: Mike Kyle or King Mo
Next Round For Antwain Britt: Less trash talking, more cardio work
Round Three: Six Seconds Of Eye Poking Greatness
Of all the fights I was looking forward to most on Friday Night, nothing matched up to the expectations I had for the Marius Zaromskis/Waachiim Spiritwolf encounter. Much to my and many MMA fans displeasure, the bout lasted less than ten seconds due to an accidental eye poke from Marius Zaromskis to Waachiim Spiritwolf. Waachiim Spiritwolf was visibly upset and even cursed a few times in front of the camera after the fight was called off. I hope that Strikeforce officials give the MMA fans what they want, which is a rematch between the two to see who is the better fighter.
Next Round For Marius Zaromskis: An immediate rematch with Waachiim Spiritwolf.
Next Round ForWaachiim Spiritwolf: An immediate rematch with Marius Zaromskis
Round Four: The Streak Moves Up To Five
Liz Carmouche first made an impact in Strikeforce when she won the alternate fight to possibly enter the Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Tournament. Liz Carmouche has now made a second impact in Strikeforce when she defeated former Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight Title challenger Jan Finney on Friday Night. Liz Carmouche now finds herself a potential victory or two away from challenging for the Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Title. As for Jan Finney, she has gone from title challenger to a woman with a losing record, time for rebuilding.
Next Round For Liz Carmouche: Sarah Kaufman, according to Mauro Ranallo
Next Round For Jan Finney: A Strikeforce release
Round Five: No UFC, No Problem
On the evenings preliminary card, former UFC Ultimate Fighter 10 contestant Wes Shivers dominated Goldman Butler to earn a knockout victory. Wes Shivers, who took time away from MMA following his brief UFC run, has returned to dominance in Strikeforce. Wes Shivers could become the 2011 version of Lavar Johnson, a fighter who has gone from the Strikeforce Challengers card to the bigger Strikeforce events. While the UFC didn’t give Wes Shivers much of an opportunity, it seems that Strikeforce will be giving him one.
Next Round For Wes Shivers: Lolohea Mahe, Chad Griggs or Carl Seumentafa
Next Round For Goldman Butler: Time away from Strikeforce
You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com
