Jan 27, 2011
Strikeforce preview: Grapplers enter as favorites
07:29 PM
By Sergio Non, USA TODAY
http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanag...-community.jpg
Nick Diaz has only lost once since the start of 2007.By Jeff Chiu, AP
The first major Strikeforce show of 2011 features two champions, the most promising up-and-comer of mixed martial arts' first family and a former football star. Notable fights for Saturday's Strikeforce show (10 p.m. ET, Showtime) include:
Strikeforce 170-pound title: Nick Diaz (23-7, one no-contest) vs. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (18-13)
STORY LINE: Diaz defends his belt against a former middleweight whose debut at 170 pounds was impressive enough to land him a title shot in his new division immediately.
CASE FOR DIAZ: Can overwhelm opponents with blizzard of fast, accurate punches. Creative approach to grappling combined with long limbs make him a submission threat to anyone on the ground. Pounces quickly when an opponent appears ripe for a finish. Excellent chin.
CASE FOR SANTOS: Powerful puncher at 170 pounds. Showed improved striking technique and more fluid movement in his last bout. Can take punishment.
BODOG.NET ODDS: Diaz (-500) over Santos (+300)
PICK: Diaz. Santos has become a more disciplined fighter lately, but he faces the same reach and height disadvantages that plagued Frank Shamrock, whom Diaz dismantled with relative ease in the stand-up game. If the fight hits the ground, life gets even harder for Santos.
Strikeforce 185-pound title: Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (13-2) vs. "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (18-6, one no-contest)
STORY LINE: Middleweight champion Souza pits his elite grappling skills against one of the hardest hitters in mixed martial arts.
CASE FOR SOUZA: One of the two best jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA at 185 pounds, along with Demian Maia. Hugely improved striking technique over the last two years, especially with his jab.
BODOG.NET ODDS: Souza (-260) over Lawler (+200)
CASE FOR LAWLER: Opportunistic striker who will can advantage of the slightest opening in opponents' defenses with his knockout power, which can come from a variety of angles. Good counterwrestler, making him difficult to take down. Might have an endurance edge over Souza, who occasionally has shown signs of fatigue in later rounds.
PICK: Souza. His stand-up game has tightened to the point where he should be able to survive on the feet long enough to close the distance and grapple with Lawler.
Light heavyweight: Roger Gracie (3-0) vs. Trevor Prangley (23-6-1)
STORY LINE: A promising member of a new generation for mixed martial arts' first family faces his most skilled opponent yet.
CASE FOR GRACIE: The light-heavyweight division's most skilled grappler by a wide margin. Prangley has no chance of matching him on the ground.
CASE FOR PRANGLEY: Except in the area of jiu-jitsu, he's better, or at least vastly more experienced.
BODOG.NET ODDS: Gracie (-140) over Prangley (+110)
PICK: Gracie. Prangley is a seasoned, versatile fighter, but it's a matter of time if Gracie can grab hold of him. That said, Prangley has the best chance of any underdog on the card.
Heavyweight: Herschel Walker (1-0) vs. Scott Carson (4-1)
STORY LINE: Ex-football star continues his quest to prove himself as a fighter.
CASE FOR WALKER: All-world athlete, with endurance, explosiveness and stunning fitness for someone of any age, let alone a 48-year-old. Trains six days a week with highly regarded American Kickboxing Academy camp in San Jose. Good takedowns for someone devoid of a wrestling background.
CASE FOR CARSON: Has more fights under his belt.
BODOG.NET ODDS: Walker (-340) over Carson (+160)
PICK: Most of Carson's experience came more than nine years ago. He'll have a hard time keeping up with an athlete of Walker's caliber.