Jan 27, 2011
Strikeforce preview: Grapplers enter as favorites
07:29 PM
By Sergio Non, USA TODAY
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.