Author: Luke Thomas

Luke Rockhold isn’t satisfied. Fresh off of his second successful Strikeforce middleweight title defense over Tim Kennedy this past Saturday, Rockhold is unhappy with how things are. Or maybe he just know how much better they could be.

There’s the issue of poor media coverage of Strikeforce fights. As he told Ariel Helwani Monday on The MMA Hour, he believes only two reporters attended the post-fight presser late Saturday evening.

Then there’s ‘the list’ – a reported roster of Strikeforce fighters who are unable to compete for the UFC even when their Strikeforce contracts expire – something Showtime President Stephen Espinoza denies exists. Rockhold isn’t sure about the terms or if there’s even a list, but he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t heard of it. Either way, he knows fighting Anderson Silva or the UFC’s best isn’t happening probably ever and certainly not soon.

There’s also his estimation of his performance against Kennedy, which he describes as adequate in some respects, but ultimately a poor facsimile of what he’s capable of in the American Kickboxing Academy gym.

That’s probably why before he goes any further, he wants to go back. Specifically, Rockhold told Helwani a rematch with Ronaldo Souza should be next on his agenda. “I think he’s the most logical opponent out there,” Rockhold said.

And why Jacare? For starters, there isn’t a huge roster of fighters to pick from, but more importantly, Rockhold believes there is something unresolved between them that needs to be set right before he can take on another chalenge. “I think that fight needs some closure,” he said. “It was a close fight and I think he’s the best out there right now. I want to fight the best, like I’ve always said. I’d like to put an ending to that fight. I think I can.”

While Rockhold may personally feel there’s something to answer in a rematch with the jiu-jitsu great, are other people really clamoring to see that fight again?

“100 percent,” Rockhold contended. “People talk freakin’ crap to me on Twitter all the time. When they come directly at you it’s hard to not see it sometimes, but there’s definitely some people. I don’t know, I thought it was fairly close. I think I can do a lot better.”

Before Jacare can tangle with Rockhold again he must first get through Derek Brunson, a fighter Rockhold routinely mocks for his participation as a cheerleader at University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Jacare squares off against Brunson at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman in August.

Even if Jacare gets by Brunson, Rockhold also expressed interest – as a fan – in seeing Souza face off with the newest entry in the Strikeforce middleweight division: Roger Gracie. Personally, I think the MMA world needs to see Roger Gracie vs. Jacare in a MMA fight,” Rockhold suggested. “That’s a given. The first I heard about Roger coming down [to middleweight], that’s the first thing that came to mind. I think that’d be great.”

What direction Strikeforce decides to go in remains unclear. The animosity between Rockhold and Brunson might make for an easier fight to sell, but Rockhold could barely utter Brunson’s name when talking to Helwani much less view him as a credible challenge.

As far as the champion is concerned, there are other middleweights far higher up the ladder – “Lorenz Larkin looked good. Roger [Gracie] looked alright. Maybe they could fight each other and see who is number one” – who potentially deserve a title shot even if Jacare falls short next month.

While Strikeforce decides to take the champion’s matchmaking suggestions or not, he’s interested in presenting the version of himself audiences apparently have not seen. What Rockhold appears to be looking for isn’t just a great opponent but an opportunity: a chance to showcase the AKA gym Rockhold, not the Showtime Rockhold.

Sure, he’s winning, but he’s not winning like he could be. That’s partly why Rockhold’s not happy. What’s the point in fighting if you can’t be your best? A second crack at Jacare is a chance to win again, but also an opportunity to doi it the right way – the way he believes he wins in the gym – for the first time.

Jason High does, in fact, exist. And so does footage of his most recent fight

Succumbing to fan and media pressure, Showtime on Tuesday released video of welterweight Jason High’s victory from Saturday’s Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy over AKA’s Nate Moore. High won the fight 26 seconds into the first round via guillotine choke.

Despite High having beaten fighters on the main card like Jordan Mein and Showtime having ample broadcast time, the channel elected to not show High’s preliminary card victory on either their Showtime Extreme or Showtime broadcasts. That decision prompted many in the MMA community to question the sensibility of such a choice. Showtime eventually relented on their blackout and made footage of the fight available online for all to see.

Watch the full fight from several different angles below.

What Chael Sonnen has accomplished in his professional mixed martial arts career is nothing short of remarkable. Sonnen’s skill set is stifling with a clever retrofitting of his wrestling base, but lacking most finishing components. Still, he’s compiled wins over some of MMA’s best fighters in two weight classes. Sonnen was something of a journeyman until a late resurgence occurred due to both an unexpected boost in his capabilities and ability to self-promote. Perhaps most impressively, he achieved this stunning reversal of fortune in his thirties. For all of Sonnen’s shortcomings, part of his career story is never say die, never quitting when given ample opportunity to do so.

Yet, as a consequence of either self-doubt or absent-minded if reflexive decisions, Sonnen has come up short in contests when they’ve mattered most and when he arguably should never have lost. That pattern isn’t entirely consistent, but there appears to be a semi-consistent theme in the way he loses. That is: he often suddenly and unexpectedly finds himself in defeat after dominating contests early against opponents who can’t handle the best his skills have to offer.

Let’s look at the record.

1. UFC 148 vs. Anderson Silva – while there is some criticism of Sonnen’s lack of punishment in the first round of the fight, I find those criticisms hollow. Silva landed not a single punch in the first round while Sonnen poured on 76 of 86 strikes, secured one takedown (and the only one needed) while passing to mount. It was complete and total domination and he seemed to poised to repeat his UFC 117 efforts, but without the submission at the end.

In the second round, however, Silva stuffed three of Sonnen’s takedown attempts. While we’ll never know for sure, this appeared to rattle Sonnen, prompting him to throw a low-percentage spinning backfist that badly missed and planted him on the mat. Sonnen was then stopped with strikes at 1:55 in the second.

2. UFC 117 vs. Anderson Silva – the story on this one is all too familiar. Sonnen controlled the complexion of the fight from pillar to post with takedowns and landed 323 of 430 strikes over four-plus rounds. Despite total domination of Silva in virtually every dimension of the fight, he was submitted at 3:10 of the fifth via triangle.

3. WEC 31 vs. Paulo Filho – the first round of this fight was such a beating, some observers nearly scored it 10-8 for Sonnen. Sonnen landed 42 strikes out of 80 throw in the first frame, landed two takedowns and was credited with both a submission attempt and two guard passes.

In the second round, Sonnen was submitted via armbar at 4:55, but not before he was turning in another strong round. Sonnen scored on his only takedown effort and landed 46 of 67 attempted strikes.

4. UFC 60 vs. Jeremy Horn – Sonnen thrashed Horn early with two takedown attempts and 28 of 45 strikes thrown. Horn landed a meager 4 of 5 punches attempted, but is credited with one submission attempt. Sonnen was then submitted in just 1:17 in the second round by a Horn armbar from the guard.

5. UFC 55 vs. Renato Sobral – this fight is somewhat different than his other losses in that he arguably lost the first round. However, Sonnen still turned in an offensive striking effort commensurate with other strong performances and far over what Sobral offered him: Sonnen scored on 50 of 58 strikes thrown to Sobral’s 13 of 18 (Sobral, however, did earn two takedowns). Sonnen was then submitted at 1:20 via triangle in the second round.

There are fairly notable exceptions to the tenor of these defeats. Sonnen went the distance in 2004 against Keiichi Yamamiya, and some have suggested he should’ve won that contest. He experienced a physical issue from the outset that forced his corner to throw in the towel against Terry Martin. He’s also lost light heavyweight fights early in his career to Forrest Griffin, Trevor Prangley and Horn in fights where he hadn’t really established dominance before losing. It’s also of note that Horn, Filho, Sobral and Silva all submitted Sonnen from guard, meaning the particular strengths of those opponents keyed in on particular weaknesses of Sonnen.

What should be noted, though, is examining how Sonnen loses to see if there’s a pattern isn’t the full story. Examining how he wins is just as important to the aforementioned story.

Outside of totally over matched opposition in BodogFIGHT from from 2006 to 2007, Sonnen has never been much of a finisher in any portion of his career that mattered. In fact, out of 8 fights under the Zuffa banner dating back to his rematch with Prangley at UFC Fight Night 4 in 2006, Sonnen has only finished one opponent: Brian Stann at UFC 136 in October of 2011. All of Sonnen’s other 7 Zuffa-affiliated wins are unanimous decisions.

What does all this mean? Generally speaking and in the modern era of his career, Sonnen doesn’t really come from behind to win. Either he starts strong and finishes the same way, or he doesn’t. He’s never had to (or been able to, depending your perspective) rally after being down two rounds heading into the third. It’s true he’s dropped a round or two here or there, but those are few and far between. That isn’t to say he hasn’t had tough fights. He most certainly has and he’s the only fighter in the UFC other than Rich Franklin to earn a rematch with Anderson Silva.

Sonnen is a fighter with a very finite if very effective skill set. The notable problem with it is disruption – particularly although not exclusively by guard players – can be achieved quickly and without application of violence. Sonnen has historically succeeded as a takedown, top control fighter, but that’s also precisely where he’s had the most trouble. One need not ‘soften up’ Sonnen to bring down his metaphorical guard. A loss can materialize almost out of nowhere even when he is hurting and controlling opposition with extreme prejudice. That kind of precariousness can speak to his issues wrestling with self-doubt: where he’s supposed to be strong and often is, he is also most vulnerable.

Let me be clear: I’ve not come to bury Sonnen. His career accomplishments are extraordinary and deserving of high praise. But the story of his loses are as relevant as the story of his wins. Most fighters don’t often lose in a particular way over time and when they do it’s a consequence of a biological issue (skin that cuts easily, weak chin, etc.). Mental fortitude has played a role in Sonnen’s athletic achievement, but even Sonnen has admitted mental lapses have played a determinative role in his defeats. They’ve also done so in a way that is neither rare nor coincidental.

Sonnen’s story is strange. His quiet entry into the sport ultimately gave way to a roaring surge. There are few commonalities that exist in the various chapters of his career. How he won and lost are two of them. Unlike a weak chin or literal thin skin, Sonnen’s highest highs and lowest lows speak to his identity as a person. When Sonnen competes, we learn something about him. He may try to camouflage it all with verbal bluster, but there he is for all his good and bad.

That isn’t to say we know who Sonnen is, but we do know something. The only way to learn more is if he keeps competing. Here’s to hoping he gets back on the horse. I’d like to see how this incredible story ends.

All quantitative data provided by FightMetric except where otherwise noted.

The end is near for Daniel Cormier’s Strikeforce experience.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion and two-time Olympian Cormier will end his Strikeforce tenure this September 29th, the promotion announced Saturday evening during the Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy Showtime broadcast.

No venue or opponent has been named.

Despite winning the Grand Prix and competing through the dissolution of the Strikeforce heavyweight division, Cormier’s contract – as well as tournament finals opponent Josh Barnett – requires one final bout before he’s allowed to move to the UFC.

Cormier last competed in May where he won the heavyweight tournament, besting Barnett in a five round unanimous decision. Cormier reportedly injured his right hand in that victory and required surgery, but according to tonight’s announcement will be healed and ready to compete in a little over two months.

If you’re not paying attention – and I’m comfortable saying a number of you aren’t – this is one of the best Strikeforce cards in quite some time. The preliminary card of tonight’s event alone is better than the preliminary card of many of this year’s UFC cards. The main card isn’t getting a ton of fanfare, but that’s got little to no correlation to how good (on paper, anyway) it actually is.

There are also a number of questions surrounding tonight’s competitors and the fights they’re in. Can Rockhold follow up on his title-winning performance against Kennedy? Is there really anything left in Keith Jardine? Does Roger Gracie really have a future in MMA? What about the return of Nate Marquardt now that he’s at welterweight and off testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)? I try to answer these questions and more with predictions for tonight’s fights.

What: Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy

Where: Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon

When: Saturday, the five-fight Showtime Extreme fights begin at 8:00 p.m. ET, the four-fight Showtime card starts at 10.

Picks for the four main card fights airing tonight on Showtime below.

Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy

It’s not that Kennedy is a bad boxer in MMA. He’s reasonably adept in that department. And it’s also not the case that he has a lopsided skill set to the point where he only has one way to win in bouts. But in this particular match-up, I suspect distance will be an issue for a fighter who primarily strikes with his hands. Rockhold can be a bit overcommitted to certain exchanges, but his aggression will over time work to his benefit here. If Kennedy wants to win this bout, he’ll need to secure the takedown and I just don’t see him getting it. Rockhold has incredibly underrated takedown defense and that’s going to be the key contributor to what should be a successful title defense this evening.

Pick: Rockhold

Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley

It’s really impossible to know where Marquardt stands after all this time. He’s off TRT, a medical necessity he once said saved his marriage. If his previous statements are to be believed, he’s already fighting at a supreme disadvantage. Let’s add to that this is his first bout at welterweight and he’s been off from professional competition more than year. His situation is different than being off due to some sort of serious injury or from being burned out, but it’s nevertheless not a positive contribution. Add to that the difficult challenges Woodley presents in terms of relentless pursuit of the takedown. If Woodley doesn’t get it on the first attempt, he is all too content to hang on and make it work in subsequent follow-ups. I don’t think he’s going to give the TRT-free Marquardt a chance to breathe.

Pick: Woodley

Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine

I’m not overly impressed with Gracie or his upside in mixed martial arts. It’s just that I can’t really pick Keith Jardine anymore. For his own health and safety, I’d like to see him try something else with his life. He’s done a lot in his career and my hat goes off to him, but it’s time to step away. He was never particularly good at absorbing damage and he’s even worse now. The cut to middleweight is not a fix for what really ails his body and game. While I suppose he could eek out a win by landing awkward strikes at weird intervals during the fight and stopping any takedown attempt from Gracie, I almost don’t want to see it happen for Jardine’s own sake.

Pick: Gracie

Lorenz Larkin vs. Robbie Lawler

I’m going to take Larkin on a bit of a gamble. Lawler is obviously the more seasoned competitor of the two with a better resume, but I wonder about how these two match-up. I’m cautious about it all because of Larkin’s drop to middleweight and what that could mean for his speed, an essential component to his style of stand-up. Still, I think Lawler will be content with counterfighting, thereby giving Larkin all the time and real estate he needs to do what he does best with combination, explosive striking with hands and the feet. Lawler obviously always have the ace of power up his sleeve, but I wonder if he’s ever going to get the opportunity to truly land it.

Pick: Larkin

Not every fighter initially made weight Friday at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon for Saturday’s Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy. In fact, the only one who didn’t is middleweight champion and co-headliner Luke Rockhold.

In championship bouts, fighters are not afforded a customary one pound allowance and must make the precise weight limit of their division. The AKA middleweight product was unable to get below 185.5lbs and was given two hours to lose one-half pound. His opponent in Tim Kennedy weighed in at 184.5 pounds. According to Showtime Sports, Rockhold eventually reached 185 pounds approximately 20 minutes after initially weighing-in.

Tomorrow’s preliminary card begins at 8 p.m. ET and will air on Showtime Extreme. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime. All weights for each fighter in each bout are below:

Main card:

Luke Rockhold (185lbs*) vs. Tim Kennedy (184.5lbs)
Nate Marquardt (169.5lbs) vs. Tyron Woodley (169.5lbs)
Roger Gracie (186lbs) vs. Keith Jardine (185.5lbs)
Lorenz Larkin (186.5lbs) vs. Robbie Lawler (186lbs)

Preliminary card:

Pat Healy (156lbs) vs. Mizuto Hirota (156lbs)
Ryan Couture (155.5lbs) vs. Joe Duarte (155.5lbs)
Jorge Masvidal (155.5lbs) vs. Justin Wilcox (156lb)
Jordan Mein (170lbs) vs. Tyler Stinson (170.5lbs)
Jason High (171lbs) vs. Nate Moore (171lbs)

*Did not reach strict middleweight limit on first attempt