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STRIKEFORCE: DIAZ VS. DALEY TELEVISED CARD PREVIEW

When the UFC purchased Strikeforce a little over a month ago, these are the kinds of cards most MMA fans were hoping for. Two titles are going to be on the line this Saturday Night as both the Strikeforce Welterweight Title and Strikeforce Lightweight Title will be defended. Also, a longtime UFC veteran makes his Strikeforce debut and a Japanese MMA legend will be returning.

Headlining this card is a Strikeforce Welterweight Title fight as champion Nick Diaz (24-7-0) defends against Paul “Semtex” Daley (27-9-2). Nick Diaz has been a dominant champion in Strikeforce, successfully defending the gold against KJ Noons and Evangelista Santos. Paul Daley earned a title opportunity after defeating Scott Smith in his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II. While Paul Daley is a dominant striker, Nick Diaz is going to be smart and put the fight on the ground to earn a submission victory.

The Strikeforce Lightweight Title is on the line next as champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (18-2-0) defends against Tatsuya “Crusher” Kawajiri (27-6-2). It has been nearly a year since Gilbert Melendez last defended his title, defeating Shinya Aoki at Strikeforce: Shields vs. Henderson. Tatsuya Kawajiri earned this title opportunity after defeating contender Josh Thomson at a K-1 event in 2010. These two fighters met five years ago in the PRIDE promotion and the result will be the same, Gilbert Melendez achieving victory.

A pair of light heavyweights are going to battle next as “The Dean Of Mean” Keith Jardine (17-9-1) takes on Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi (30-3-1). Keith Jardine took this fight on just a week’s notice, but does so entering the fight riding a two fight winning streak. Gegard Mousasi is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, having recently defeated UFC veteran Jake O’Brien at a DREAM event. While Keith Jardine is certainly a game fighter, Gegard Mousasi is way too good to suffer a defeat to the UFC cast off.

Kicking off the evening is a lightweight affair as Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki (26-5-0) takes on Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (15-1-0). Shinya Aoki is a legend of the Japanese MMA scene, recently coming off a victory over UFC veteran Marcus Aurelio at a DREAM event. Lyle Beerbohm is coming off the first loss of his professional MMA career, which came to Pat Healy at Strikeforce Challengers 14. While Strikeforce has high hopes for Lyle Beerbohm, it will be Shinya Aoki getting the duke in this one.

You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com

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