Author: Riley Kontek

Undefeated Olympic Silver Medalist Sara McMann Signs with Strikeforce

Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann has officially begun her journey with Strikeforce.McMann, who earned that silver medal in freestyle wrestling in the 2004 Olympics, has a great background in grappling.This may be the fighter, in my eyes, to challeng…

Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann has officially begun her journey with Strikeforce.

McMann, who earned that silver medal in freestyle wrestling in the 2004 Olympics, has a great background in grappling.

This may be the fighter, in my eyes, to challenge Ronda Rousey.

As reported by MMAweekly.com, McMann will likely make her debut on a card dated November 3. This signing will keep McMann from competing in Invicta FC, an all-women’s promotion where she would have likely challenged for the title.

Notably, McMann has earned victories over Shayna Baszler, Hitomi Akano and Tonya Evinger. Her wrestling will be second-to-none, something that many women fighters lack in their respective arsenals. 

As stated previously, I believe McMann may be the biggest threat, outside of Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, to Ronda Rousey’s crown. Rousey relies on a spectacular submission game and superior grappling to take out opponents.

McMann may be challenged in that grappling category. McMann’s top game is stifling and she has a submission game of her own (of her six wins, two are by submission).

She has good weight cutting abilities and should be a big, strong bantamweight in the women’s division. That is one thing that Rousey also possesses, meaning this could be a great chess match.

Likely, McMann will have a tune-up fight before even being considered for a title shot. If she is impressive in that fight, there is a good chance she could earn a title shot due to the shallowness of women’s MMA.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Luke Rockhold vs. Lorenz Larkin Set for Strikeforce

Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold has his next opponent scheduled, and it isn’t Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza like most expected.Instead, according to MMAweekly.com, Rockhold will fight Lorenz Larkin on a November 3 Strikeforce card. This will b…

Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold has his next opponent scheduled, and it isn’t Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza like most expected.

Instead, according to MMAweekly.com, Rockhold will fight Lorenz Larkin on a November 3 Strikeforce card. This will be an interesting standup battle, as both men are striking based fighters.

Larkin likely earned the title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Robbie Lawler in July at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy.

Before that, Larkin was one of the hottest prospects in the light heavyweight division. That was before a hiccup against Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, where he was grounded and pounded into the loss column.

After the fight, though, Lawal tested positive for a banned substance, effectively making the fight a no contest. Therefore, Larkin avoided his first ever loss.

Larkin has 13 career wins, with eight coming by knockout. With just one fight coming at middleweight, one has to believe his size will be an advantage in this fight.

The champion, Rockhold, has looked great since winning the title against Souza. The 10-1 American Kickboxing Academy product has defended his title twice over Keith Jardine and Tim Kennedy.

Rockhold has been very vocal since winning the title about fighting crossover fights against UFC talent. But, I think he has a legitimate threat in front of him in Larkin.

It appears this will be a co-main event to a heavyweight showdown between Daniel Cormier and Frank Mir. So far, this card is developing nicely.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Brendan Schaub vs. Lavar Johnson: Head-to-Toe Breakdown

The extremely stacked UFC on Fox 5 card in Seattle plays host to an exciting heavyweight bout, as headhunter Lavar Johnson meets former football player Brendan Schaub.Both men are knockout artists that rarely have a boring fight. Win or lose, the bout …

The extremely stacked UFC on Fox 5 card in Seattle plays host to an exciting heavyweight bout, as headhunter Lavar Johnson meets former football player Brendan Schaub.

Both men are knockout artists that rarely have a boring fight. Win or lose, the bout is usually definitive with a knockout or submission taking place.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of Johnson and Schaub’s showdown.

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Mark Munoz vs. Hector Lombard Head-to-Toe Breakdown

A potential showdown in the middleweight division is imminent, as Hector Lombard has been adamant about getting his shot at Mark Munoz.Both men were recently considered among the top contenders at 185 pounds. But, losses in their latest respective outi…

A potential showdown in the middleweight division is imminent, as Hector Lombard has been adamant about getting his shot at Mark Munoz.

Both men were recently considered among the top contenders at 185 pounds. But, losses in their latest respective outings have knocked them down the ladder, as Munoz was defeated by Chris Weidman and Lombard lost to Tim Boetsch.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of a potential meeting between Munoz and Lombard.

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B/R Official Rankings for September: Top 10 Flyweights in MMA

August did not provide us with many flyweight fights, but the rankings picture is still up in the air. The 125-pounders are still scattered among different organizations, but the top ones will likely all land in the UFC at some point.The only flyweight…

August did not provide us with many flyweight fights, but the rankings picture is still up in the air. The 125-pounders are still scattered among different organizations, but the top ones will likely all land in the UFC at some point.

The only flyweights of note that competed in August have been John Moraga and Ulysses Gomez. Moraga, of course, defeated Gomez by knockout at UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera. 

These is the official rankings of the flyweight division for September 2012.

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Alan Belcher vs. Chris Weidman Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Among the top contenders in the middleweight division are Alan Belcher and Chris Weidman. Though it is not certain who their next opponents are and where they will fight, a hypothetical matchup between the two is quite enticing.Both men are vastly diff…

Among the top contenders in the middleweight division are Alan Belcher and Chris Weidman. Though it is not certain who their next opponents are and where they will fight, a hypothetical matchup between the two is quite enticing.

Both men are vastly different. Belcher is a long-time veteran of the sport just bursting into the title picture. Weidman is young gun, bursting into the title picture in the early part of his career.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of the two, should they ever meet.

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