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FIVE ROUNDS WITH STRIKEFORCE: FEIJAO VS. HENDERSON

Strikeforce continues to put on some impressive events and that streak continued this past weekend with Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson. While two championships were on the line on Saturday Night, only one would actually change hands when it was all said and done. Also, a talented lightweight made a successful return to the promotion and a female fighter turned herself into a star.

Round One: A Legend Gets The Gold

Following his departure from the UFC a few years back, most people in the MMA universe had put Dan Henderson out to pasture. Dan Henderson used the Mauro Ranallo dubbed “H-Bomb” to plant Rafael Cavalcante on the mat in the third round to get the gold. Dan Henderson now finds himself at the top of the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Division mountain, while Rafael Cavalcante will need to rebuild. With the way the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title has been rotated from champion to champion in the past year, one has to wonder how long Dan Henderson will hold the gold.

Next Round For Dan Henderson: King Mo

Next Round For Rafael Cavalcante: The Mike Kyle/Gegard Mousassi winner

Round Two: That Was A Close One

Most people thought that Liz Carmouche had no chance at all to defeat Marloes Coenen after being a late replacement for the injured Meisha Tate. However, heading into the fourth round, Liz Carmouche looked like she was ready to pull off a huge upset. Then everything went backwards for her as Marloes Coenen locked in a triangle choke early in the fourth round to keep her title. Marloes Coenen now has to rest up, because she still has a tournament winner to face for the title in a few months.

Next Round For Marloes Coenen: Meisha Tate

Next Round For Liz Carmouche: Sarah Kaufman

Round Three: A Tale Of Two Fighters

Melvin Manhoef entered the fight against Tim Kennedy a heavy striking favorite, but that story changed when the fight went to the ground. Tim Kennedy was smart enough to avoid the majority of his opponent’s strikes until he put the fight on the ground. Once that fight was on the ground, it did not take long for Tim Kennedy to tap out Melvin Manhoef with the rear naked choke. Melvin Manhoef better start learning the ground game because he will need one to survive in MMA.

Next Round For Tim Kennedy: Robbie Lawler

Next Round For Melvin Manhoef: A return to DREAM in Japan

Round Four: Take That “0” Away

Billy Evangelista finally graduated to the bigger Strikeforce cards after an exciting run on the Strikeforce Challengers Series. However, once Billy Evangelista got to the bigger events, he faltered under the pressure to Jorge Masvidal. Jorge Masvidal is a very talented fighter who nearly defeated Strikeforce veteran Paul Daley at a Shark Fights event. Jorge Masvidal now finds himself closer to a potential title shot and Billy Evangelista is left to rebuild after his first career loss.

Next Round For Jorge Masvidal: KJ Noons or Josh Thomson

Next Round For Billy Evangelista: A return to the Strikeforce Challengers Series

Round Five: Two Victories Viewers Didn’t See

Jorge Gurgel can be a threat in the Strikeforce Lightweight Division, but has fallen in a slump in the last few years. Jorge Gurgel rebounded in a big way this past weekend when he tapped out Billy Vaughan in less than a minute with a standing guillotine choke. Roger Bowling is a fighter who Strikeforce has high hopes for to become a top contender in the welterweight division. Roger Bowling, coming off a loss to Bobby Voelker a few months back, handily defeated Josh Thornburg by submission.

Next Round For Jorge Gurgel: Pat Healy or Billy Evangelista

Next Round For Roger Bowling: A rubber match with Bobby Voelker

Next Round For Billy Vaughan: A release from Strikeforce

Next Round For Josh Thornburg: A release from Strikeforce

You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com

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