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Strikeforce Rockhold vs. Jardine: How Adlan Amagov Will Upset Robbie Lawlor

This Saturday night, Adlan Amagov and Robbie Lawlor are set to clash in the co-main event of the Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine matchup. Lawlor, the once golden boy of the UFC, is on the road to redemption having lost two fights on the trot—Ro…

This Saturday night, Adlan Amagov and Robbie Lawlor are set to clash in the co-main event of the Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine matchup.

Lawlor, the once golden boy of the UFC, is on the road to redemption having lost two fights on the trot—Ronaldo Souza and Tim Kennedy.

Nevertheless, his overall record in Strikeforce is a less than impressive 2-4.

On other hand, however, his opponent, Russian-born Amagov (9-1-1 MMA) is riding a four-fight winning streak, with two of those wins coming in his first and second fights for the San Jose-based promotion.

Neither fighter is known for their submission skills—Lawlor having only one submission victory to his name and Amagov, zilch.

Nor do they feel the inclination to take matters to the mat.

As that is the case, expect this fight to be a standup war for as long as the fight lasts.

Both combatants possess knockout power—Amagov has six stoppages whilst Lawlor has accumulated 15 over his career.

So how can Amagov upend the “Ruthless” one?

It’s simple really—stay out of harm’s way, by that I mean Lawlor’s bombs.

The latter has a tendency to throw punches, sometimes recklessly (a flaw which resulted in a KO loss to Nick Diaz at UFC 47) whilst leaving himself open to the counterattack.

Amagov needs to weather the early storm and position himself for any mistakes that Lawlor might make. If and when that transpires, he can unleash his own brand of punishment and make it count.

“The Insolent” will continue his rise in Strikeforce whilst Lawlor will register his third straight loss for the company come fight night.

Prediction: Amagov via TKO in Round 1.

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Strikeforce Rockhold vs. Jardine: Lorenz Larkin Will Derail King Mo

This weekend at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine, the light heavyweight category features former Strikeforce titlist Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and undefeated prospect Lorenz Larkin. Whilst Lawal has had only one outing in 2011—a first…

This weekend at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine, the light heavyweight category features former Strikeforce titlist Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and undefeated prospect Lorenz Larkin.

Whilst Lawal has had only one outing in 2011—a first-round KO of Roger Gracie, 25-year-old Larkin has racked up four—two unanimous decisions and two TKO wins.

The calibre of opponents that “The Monsoon” has fought might not be akin to the ones Lawal has thrown down with, but the most important factor is that he’s undefeated in his 12 career fights.

Still, against Lawal, he’ll be facing an accomplished NCAA Division I wrestler with above-average boxing skills.

What Larkin brings to the table is his ever-improving Muay Thai and boxing, as well as his amazing kung fu skill set.

It’s safe to say that Larkin has tremendous striking power—annihilating eight opponents in his first 10 bouts, with six in the first round.

The Monsoon’s weakness, however, lies in his takedown defense and lack of wrestling background, which was quite obvious when he faced Gianpiero Villante in the first round of his second fight for the Strikeforce company—he was easily taken to ground.

Be that as it may, he still accounted well for himself and later took the fight to Villante.

With that vulnerability in mind and Lawal’s exquisite wrestling background, it’s a prerequisite that he keeps the fight standing.

As long as he remains standing, his diversified arsenal of kicks as well as his striking ability will prove too much for King Mo, which will eventually lead to a win in the manner of a KO or TKO.

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BJ Penn Fires Back at UFC Rival Cesar Gracie

Former lightweight and welterweight UFC champion BJ Penn has comeback firing on all cylinders, after Cesar Gracie threw a volley of insults his way. Gracie, in turn had been responding to Penn’s earlier tweet regarding his charge of Nick Diaz.&nb…

@CesarGracieBJJ Excuses?? The whole world knows I lost the fight including myself. I’m tired of you talking down to me Cesar, I hope you’re in training camp right now because the next time I see you, you better not be “scared homie!” BJ Penn.Com

The war of words commenced when “The Prodigy”—who subsequently retired following his unanimous decision loss to Diaz at UFC 137—took to his Twitter account and berated the Diaz about the fight.

He also made reference to Jon Fitch’s chin, apropos his 12 second knockout loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC 141.

@nickdiaz209 Look how much bigger you are in this pic..I thought you were gonna scrap from the beginning homie? What was that coward fence holding strategy to tire out the smaller man? Street fighter my ass! I made you fight like glass jaw @jonfitchdotnet poser! I’ll be ready for that weak bs next time we fight!

The above tweet prompted Gracie to respond in kind.

BJ Penn has apparently not come to terms with the beating he received at the hands of Nick Diaz….

At some point it is up to those around you to protect you from yourself. To take you aside and let you know you are wrong and help save you from your folly. Unfortunately for Penn he is surrounded by “Yes Men” that are unwilling to do that. The outcome will be predictable, resulting in a fighter that will never push himself to the fullest and will always have excuses for his losses.

At present, Diaz—who has been the unwitting catalyst in all of this—has stayed silent. Still, it remains to be seen whether he’ll keep mute or join in the slanging match.

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Ronda Rousey vs. Meisha Tate: Head-to-Toe Breakdown (Upcoming Fight)

On the one hand is Ronda Rousey—the new kid on the block vying for respect, recognition and an eventual belt strapped around her waist. The Olympic Bronze medalist and Judo expert has been making waves in the women’s MMA circuit not only du…

On the one hand is Ronda Rousey—the new kid on the block vying for respect, recognition and an eventual belt strapped around her waist.

The Olympic Bronze medalist and Judo expert has been making waves in the women’s MMA circuit not only due to her exceptional looks but also the manner in which she has dispatched her opponents.

On the other hand is Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion beauty Meisha Tate, who achieved that feat by defeating Marloes Coenen more than five months ago.

Initially when Rousey threw down the gauntlet to a proposed title fight with Tate, the latter made reference to the fact that “Rowdy” hadn’t paid her dues and thus should wait her turn.

That seems to have changed, and both female combatants are now slated to throw down in a title showdown on Mar. 3 later this year.

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UFC on Fox 2: Why Chael Sonnen Is Not Going to Brazil

Chael Sonnen seems to be the overwhelming favorite heading into his clash with Mark Munoz in the co-main-event at UFC on Fox 2 later this month. The matchup will no doubt determine who gets first refusal at the UFC middleweight title and Anderson &ldqu…

At UFC 117, Uncle Chael was on the cusp of being crowned the new 185-pound champion. That, however, all went up in smoke, as a rush of blood to the head sent him into Silva’s guard and he was submitted via triangle armbar.

Ever since that failed night, the self proclaimed “American Gangster” has set his sights on a rematch with the UFC kingpin.

That rematch is slated for sometime in 2012, with the likely destination being Silva’s own backyard, Brazil.

Though, before he can make that trip, he first has to take care of “The Filipino Wrecking Machine,” who himself has plans of taking that flight as well.

The word through the grapevine, however, is that Sonnen’s on a mission, and nothing or nobody will stand in his path to glory, especially Munoz.

So in essence, all that’s left is for the latter to turn up on fight night and subsequently leave the Octagon several rungs behind Uncle Chael.

For anyone to dismiss Munoz’s chances, Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 5-4 UFC) included, would be an act of folly.

As has been proven in the past as well as the present, MMA is one of the most unpredictable of sports— Mark Hominick and Jon Fitch are testament to that.

Both Sonnen and Munoz (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) are NCAA Division I wrestlers, though the former just about edges it in that realm.

If Sonnen has his way, the fight will be played out on the mat, still, if at any period Munoz should gain the upper hand, his ground and pound could make all the difference to the outcome of the fight.

Also, as Munoz has alluded to, he possesses some good defensive (a jiu-jitsu purple belt) submissions skills.

As yet, he hasn’t utilized that skill set to the best of his abilities, but that could all be about to change.

And it’s no secret that Sonnen is susceptible to submissions, having been on the receiving end of eight in his 11 defeats to date.

Still, expect Munoz to do his utmost to keep the fight a stand-and-bang affair where he can employ his boxing skills and inflict some damage.

It might not be that apparent, but the overall advantage favors Munoz.

At present, The Filipino Wrecking Machine is riding a four-fight winning streak; expect him to make it five in a row come fight night.

UFC on Fox 2 is scheduled to take place on Jan. 28 at the United Center in Chicago.

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UFC 141: Is Jacob Volkmann the Most Awkward Fighter in the UFC?

Following his unanimous decision win over Efrain Escudero, Jacob Volkmann in a UFC 141 post-fight interview said he’d like to get the President of the United States, Barack Obama, in a “painful submission” and rip his arm off in a Kimura. “…

“I would for sure take him down and submit him. I would try to make it a very painful submission though. Try and do like a Kimura or an armbar, try and rip it,” Volkmann told MiddleEasy.Com.

This isn’t the first time the NCAA Division-I wrestler has let rip at the President. After upending Antonio McKee at UFC 125, he was accosted by “The MMA Hour” podcast host Ariel Helwani.

In the interview, he spoke about his win over McKee, and when asked who he’d like his next opponent to be, initially he mentioned Clay Guida, but instantaneously turned his attentions to Obama.

“Actually, Obama. He’s not too bright,” Volkmann said.

“Someone’s gotta knock some sense into that idiot,” Volkmann said.

It’s safe to say his comments didn’t go down to well with the White House, as he was paid a visit by the U.S Secret Service.

Also, it’s overly evident that “Christmas” has issues with Obama’s administration and his policies.

So, does such behavior justify having the tag of most awkward personality in the UFC?

Not in the least.

I’m under the assumption that Volkmann is an electorate, and the last time I looked, the United States of America was and still is a democratic society.

If anyone has that honor in the UFC, then Chael Patrick Sonnen is your man.

Putting aside the Brazilian mixed martial artists, Sonnen has in no small measure insulted its denizens and the nation itself, whilst making racial overtures to boot.

Rightly or wrongly, he is entitled to voice whatever opinions he has of anybody or towards any society, as does Volkmann—it’s called freedom of speech.

Still, add his long list of misdemeanors to the equation, then that more or less wraps it up with regards to the most coarse and clownish personality in the Zuffa-based promotion.

Succinctly put, Volkmann’s assumed gawkiness has nothing on Sonnen whatsoever, and I highly doubt that his latest outburst will do anything to hinder his or the progress of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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