MMA
Strikeforce Miami featuring Lashley-Simms: The Breakdown, Predictions and Why You Probably Shouldn't Order It
By Kevin Wallace
Jan 29, 2010 - 12:52 PM

So I know I’ve only been writing a column here for a couple of months and I definitely think of myself as a very positive person but I’ve struggled to put this column together for a couple weeks now.   As a big fan of MMA, I will order, yes order not download, each event that’s on Pay Per View.   Hell I even bought the damn event where Bob Sapp took on Bobby Lashley...which left much be desired.   The thing that I don’t get is how something like the event I’m about to write about, can be put on pay per view when the Fedor vs Brett Roger card was free and a damn good event might I add.   The previous Strikeforce show featuring Cung Le’s return to MMA aswell as a strong main card, was also free.   So why do I have to pay to see this?   I finally decided to just be honest about this whole thing and tell it like I see it so here we go.

Strikeforce: Miami

Bobby Lashley vs Wes Simms

Bobby Lashley is 4-0 in his MMA career and also wrestles for TNA.   Despite having not faced all that much in terms of credible challengers, he has looked fairly good and trains with American Top Team.   Lashley was original scheduled to face Yohan Banks but the Athletic Commission found this to be too much of a one sided fight so they decided on MMA journeyman Jimmy Ambriz but again this one was not approved by the commission for the same reasons as the last.   After a stalling period of a couple days it was decided and confirmed by the commission that Lashley’s opponent would be…..Wes Simms!?   I mean they don’t come much easier then Simms.   I have a green belt in Tae Kwon Do thats more impressive than anything he’s accomplished in his MMA career.   Simms is a big man and has fought some tough opponents but they’ve all beaten him rather easily.   This man does have the ability to sell his fights and has a personality tailor made for professional wrestling but win or lose, fighting Simms is a bad fight for Lashley.   Bobby needs to step it up to the next level if he’s going to be considered a top Heavyweight in Strikeforce or even the World.   I know that Strikeforce doesn’t have all that much depth to their division but taking on someone like Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Seth Petruzelli or Mike Kyle would be a better direction.   All in all this fight does little to advance either man’s career but I know Strikeforce is going to exploit the fact that Lashley was able to beat someone who not six months ago was on TUF and the name recognition that comes with it.   This fight would be alright for a free show but if this is supposed to be a selling feature to this card then I’m not buying.

Prediction:   Lashley by submission.

Herschel Walker vs Greg “Dangerous” Nagy

Former NFL running back Herschel Walker is making his MMA debut at the ripe old age of 47 against an opponent that was hand picked by Strikeforce too fight Walker due to his inexperience.   Strikeforce is looking for major publicity for this fight but I don’t think they’re going to get nearly as much as they think.   Sorry I just don’t like the fact that Strikeforce thinks they will get people who were Walker fans in his football career, to go out and purchase this event.    With a total of two fights between the two, there is no need whatsoever to place this on the main card and not a fight like Jay Hieron vs Joe “Diesel” Riggs.   I really don’t care what happens in this one and I’m really not expecting much from it.   I don’t think Strikeforce would throw Walker in there with anyone that can defeat him, sort of similar to the Lashley fight.   This one’s going to be a quick fight which is probably for the best as hopefully they’ll play the Hieron/Riggs scrap with extra time being available.   It’s doubtful Walker knows much it terms of Jiu Jitsu or submission skills and will more than likely get the knockout while on top of Nagy  in the first few minutes of the fight.

Prediction:   Herschel Walker by KO/TKO

Melvin Manhoef vs “Ruthless” Robbie Lawer

Okay so I’m going to admit to liking this fight.   Manhoef and Lawler are two hard hitters with very little ground game skills or intentions of bringing this to the ground.   How Manhoef can make 185 is beyond me as the guys friggin jacked.   Melvin’s last couple fights haven’t been all that impressive but let’s be honest, neither was Lawler’s last.    Lawler’s loss to Jake Shields was humiliating, having lost in the first couple minutes to a guillotine.   Lawler’s not great at avoiding submissions and neither is Manhoef, neither is all that good at applying submissions either  so that’s why I know this will be one hell of a slugfest.   In my opinion, Manhoef hits harder but doesn’t have the technical boxing that Lawler does.   Lawler may be able to land enough good shots over a round or two to stun Melvin and pounce all over him then again Manhoef will most likely throw some well placed kicks to slow down Lawler and then get in close where he could end this quickly once inside Lawler’s clinch.   This fight really is a toss up but to be honest I have to go with Melvin.   This should easily be the best fight on the card for fans of the stand and bang strategy and most likely fight of the night.  

Prediction:   Manhoef by KO

Strikeforce Women’s Championship Match

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs Marloes Conen

Outside of Gina Carrano, there are few legit women contenders for Cyborg’s championship.   There are a couple very tough female fighters in Tara Larosa and Sarah Kaufman but they aren’t currently signed to Strikeforce nor do they fight at the same weight as Cyborg.   Marloes Conen has a big challenge ahead of her on Saturday as Cyborg is relentless with her attacks.   Training out of Chute Box will do that to anyone man, or woman apparently.  The problem with this fight, to me is that outside of Gina and Cyborg, Strikeforce has done little to develop other women fighters.   Marloes has been in the cage with Erin Toughill and Roxanne Modaferri who are both talented in their own right but hasn’t faired particularly well with either, losing to Toughill by knockout and holding a 1-1 record with Modeferri.   Neither of these girls are on par with Cristiane who could more then likely beat them both in a handicap match.   I don’t see this being all that competitive and will most likely be quick with Cristiane getting the victory with some vicious ground and pound in the early parts of the first round.   With Gina having no date set for another fight in the immediate future, who knows where this division may go.

Prediction:   Santos by TKO.

Strikeforce Welterweight Championship Fight

Nick Diaz vs Marius Zaromskis

This fight may be the hardest one to call.   Marius is one hell of a striker and coming off three victories by knockout in the first round due to head kicks.   Marius has never fought in the United States and definitely has his work cut out for him when taking on Diaz.   Nick Diaz has won his last five fights and has taken on tougher competition, more consistantly then Marius.   Diaz likes to stand and bang just as much as Marius and that strategy seems to work for him most of the time but his Jiu Jitsu is fantastic and I’ m sure he’s walking in to this fight knowing this is where he can make this fight his fight.   Marius is coming to America for the first time and there is a lot of pressure on him.   If Marius can win this he’ll be considered in the elite of the Welterweight division in the world and can make serious money in Japan if he plans to fight there aswell as for Strikeforce.   Diaz has little pressure and is the favourite who will also hold a noticeable reach advantage aswell as being a few inches taller.  All in all this will more than likely be the most competitive fight on the card.

Prediction:   Diaz by submission

Other Fights:

Jay Hieron vs Joe “Diesel” Riggs-   Prediction: Hieron by submission

John Kelly vs Sabah Homasi-   Prediction: Kelly by decision

Pablo Alfonso vs Marcos “Parrumpinah” Da Matta-   Prediction: Da Matta by decision

All in all, this card could totally blow me out of the water but the truth is, Strikeforce has little to offer in terms of competitive fights at the moment.   They are hiring some good talent but they are also hiring Herschel Walker and who’s next for him?   Will they bring in Tank Abbott?   The recent acquisition of Dan Henderson is a plus for them.   Henderson could easily fight Fedor and I believe there’s big money in that fight although Fedor is a heavyweight, Dan would probably jump at the chance to fight him in that division.   The guy normally fights at 185 and 205 and even if he only decides to stay in those he could still have some good fight against Gegard Mousassi, Jacare and Jake Shields.   I’m real curious to see what directions Strikeforce takes in the next little while but if they continue to grab more talent like Dan Henderson and Shinya Aoki, then they could soon make this whole thing a large success.   I just don’t think this is the event that’s going to back up that last statement.

That’s all I got for this week, Ill be back with my predictions and breakdown for UFC 109 sometime early next week and a recap of the Strikeforce show.