Author: Sal DeRose

Strikeforce Results: What We Learned from Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy

Luke Rockhold finally met Tim Kennedy in the cage in his second title defense as Strikeforce middleweight champion.Rockhold earned the big win in what was a five-round war between the two fighters. Kennedy repeatedly tried to take down Rockhold, but Ro…

Luke Rockhold finally met Tim Kennedy in the cage in his second title defense as Strikeforce middleweight champion.

Rockhold earned the big win in what was a five-round war between the two fighters. Kennedy repeatedly tried to take down Rockhold, but Rockhold was either able to scramble back to his feet quickly or stuff the takedown altogether.

In the end, Kennedy couldn’t get the win and dropped the decision.

 

What we’ll remember about this fight: 

I think overall this was a good fight; it would be tough to pick out a spot in the fight. Rockhold looked good in what was his first true test as champion. If anything, Rockhold dropping Kennedy in the fourth as that was a close end to the fight.

 

What we learned about Luke Rockhold:

Rockhold’s wrestling definitely improved in this fight and he was able to scramble away anytime Kennedy got him down. Rockhold can definitely do these five-round wars as this was only the second time Rockhold had gone past the first round.

 

What we learned about Tim Kennedy:

Kennedy was good in this fight, but I think he needs to be more aggressive and dictate the fight. Rockhold was able to out-punch him tonight and was able to scramble away when Kennedy got him down.

 

What’s next for Rockhold?

I think Rockhold should either get brought over to the UFC or the UFC brings him a title challenger. A second fight with Ronaldo Souza doesn’t do Rockhold any favors, and I think Lorenz Larkin and Roger Gracie need a little more time to develop into title challengers.

 

What’s next for Kennedy?

Kennedy seemed UFC-bound already before this fight was announced, but if he is not brought over now, maybe challenging Larkin or Gracie would do well.



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Strikeforce Results: What We Learned from Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley

Nate Marquardt made his return to the cage tonight, and in his highly anticipated return, he faced off against Tyron Woodley for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title.Marquardt won the early two rounds, displaying good striking to take it to Woodle…

Nate Marquardt made his return to the cage tonight, and in his highly anticipated return, he faced off against Tyron Woodley for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title.

Marquardt won the early two rounds, displaying good striking to take it to Woodley. Woodley fought back, rocking Marquardt twice and even almost finishing him on the ground but was unable to do so.

Marquardt finished the fight with a few elbows followed up with two vicious uppercuts, as Woodley fell to the floor and Marquardt claimed the vacant Strikeforce belt.

 

What we’ll remember about this fight: 

The finishing combination that finished Tyron Woodley. My oh my was that a finishing uppercut to Woodley.

 

What we learned about Nate Marquardt:

Marquardt looked really good in his first fight at welterweight. He did an excellent job of dictating the fight, being aggressive and being able to utilize elbows, punches, knees and kicks to weaken Woodley.

 

What we learned about Tyron Woodley:

Woodley didn’t utilize his wrestling skills in this fight. He had a really good third round and even rocked Marquardt a couple of times. Woodley possesses power but couldn’t find a way to finish off Marquardt.

 

What’s next for Marquardt?:

Whoever Strikeforce feels is ready for that welterweight battle will be his next opponent.

Maybe they bring someone over from the UFC? I can’t figure out who could possibly be Marquardt’s first title defense at this point.

 

What’s next for Woodley?:

Much like Marquardt, I don’t know where to put Woodley. I can’t see a rematch with Tarec Saffiedine, although it would do Saffiedine well to set himself up for a title shot if he can get past Woodley this time.

Maybe a fight with Jordan Mein who won on the preliminary card would be in order.


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Strikeforce Results: What We Learned from Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine

Roger Gracie displayed great grappling tonight at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy when he dominated the first two rounds against Keith Jardine.Gracie did really well on the ground, but that’s like saying a fish is great at swimming.His striking seeme…

Roger Gracie displayed great grappling tonight at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy when he dominated the first two rounds against Keith Jardine.

Gracie did really well on the ground, but that’s like saying a fish is great at swimming.

His striking seemed to improve as well outstriking Jardine on the way to earning a unanimous decision after securing a 10-8 second round in my opinion, and apparently, on two judge’s scorecards.

 

What we’ll remember about this fight: 

The whole second round sticks out to me. It was a great display of grappling by Gracie.

 

What we learned about Roger Gracie:

The man is like super glue when he’s on top of you. Of course, his last name gives away that he obviously has good grappling, but his top control was absurdly good. He also outstruck Jardine. Granted, Jardine spent most of the first two rounds on his back—but still.

 

What we learned about Keith Jardine:

He’s at the end of his career. I think this loss should be the final time we see him out there. There really isn’t anything left for him in the sport besides fighting up-and-comers, unfortunately. His third round looked good, but it was too little, too late.

 

What’s next for Gracie?:

I think Gracie should get one of the top middleweights in Strikeforce. Maybe he can get a fight with Lorenz Larkin who won tonight or a fight with another good grappler, Ronaldo Souza.

I feel like Strikeforce would want Gracie to be their next title challenger simply based on what family he belongs to.

 

What’s next for Jardine?:

Retirement. It has to be at this point with back-to-back fights seeing him get dominated. He was able to pull out the third round, though.

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Strikeforce Results: What We Learned from Lorenz Larkin vs Robbie Lawler

In the first fight up on the main card for Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy, Lorenz Larkin made his middleweight debut against a tough Robbie Lawler.Larkin controlled most of the fight and dispatched of Lawler easily, controlling the pace of the fight…

In the first fight up on the main card for Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy, Lorenz Larkin made his middleweight debut against a tough Robbie Lawler.

Larkin controlled most of the fight and dispatched of Lawler easily, controlling the pace of the fight and wearing out Lawler.

Larkin of course was coming off of a no contest against Muhammad Lawal at light heavyweight.

Now let’s take a closer look at the fight.

 

What we’ll remember about this fight

Three options here: first being Larkin getting rocked early on, second being the head kick that cut open Lawler and third being Larkin begging for Strikeforce fighters to get bonuses in his post-fight interview with Mauro Ranallo.

 

What we learned about Lorenz Larkin

Larkin looked really good in this fight. After getting rocked early on, he came to and just stayed aggressive and dictated the fight. Larkin’s striking looked dominant tonight and he proved why he is undefeated.

 

What we learned about Robbie Lawler

Lawler looked good for maybe two or three minutes at the beginning, but after rocking Larkin he didn’t really seem the same. Lawler fought Larkin’s game and it did him in.

 

What’s next for Larkin?

Larkin got the big win and I think he should get the winner of Keith Jardine and Roger Gracie or loser of the title fight between Tim Kennedy and Luke Rockhold. Or how about a fight with Ronaldo Souza for the No. 1 contender spot?

 

What’s next for Lawler?

It’s tough to say what could be next for Lawler. Maybe a fight with the loser of Jardine/Gracie?

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Michael Bisping Wants Fight with Chris Weidman for No. 1 Contender Spot

It hasn’t taken long for the Chris Weidman hype train to go full steam into what could be a shot at Anderson Silva’s middleweight belt.Weidman is coming off of a big second-round knockout of Mark Munoz last night and looks like the possible successor t…

It hasn’t taken long for the Chris Weidman hype train to go full steam into what could be a shot at Anderson Silva’s middleweight belt.

Weidman is coming off of a big second-round knockout of Mark Munoz last night and looks like the possible successor to Chael Sonnen as the No. 1 contender at middleweight.

Well, fellow middleweight Michael Bisping wants to have a crack at Weidman in what could be a fight for the No. 1 contender spot.

 

 

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Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman: Head to Toe Breakdown

Chris Weidman dismantled another top middleweight last night when he beat Mark Munoz by second round TKO at UFC on Fuel TV 4.Weidman now stands as one of the possible fighters to be the next contender for Anderson Silva’s crown after Chael Sonnen lost …

Chris Weidman dismantled another top middleweight last night when he beat Mark Munoz by second round TKO at UFC on Fuel TV 4.

Weidman now stands as one of the possible fighters to be the next contender for Anderson Silva‘s crown after Chael Sonnen lost this past weekend at UFC 148.

Weidman possesses many of the same skillsets as Sonnen and definitely could fulfill the blueprint that Sonnen laid out for beating Silva. 

Can Weidman figure out the enigma that is Silva’s striking? Can Weidman get the fight to the ground? Who is better in the areas of striking, grappling, wrestling and jiu-jitsu? Read on to find out!

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