Strikeforce Welterweight Championship bout: Nick Diaz vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos
Odds: (-550 Diaz /+350 Santos )
Betting Pick: Diaz
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In the main event of the evening, Welterweight champion Nick Diaz will look to defend his title against formidable Brazilian striker Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. Santos is an incredibly exciting fighter who always comes to brawl, and Diaz has proven more than willing to stand and trade with anyone he faces, so this one has all the makings of a classic brawl.
Santos, the husband of Strikeforce’s Women’s champion who uses the same nickname, is a proverbial glass cannon. His defense and chin are both extremely questionable, but he has great striking, a lot of power, and an intensely aggressive style. He will go at an opponent from the opening bell and will not stop moving forward until one of them is knocked out. His ground game is not even worth mentioning, because he is usually either getting his hand raised or lying unconscious before a fight makes it to the ground.
The champion, Diaz, is an extremely well-rounded and effective fighter. A black-belt in jiu-jitsu under Cesar Gracie, Diaz is a prolific grappler with great submissions. Recently, though, he has preferred to beat his opponents with his very unorthodox and effective striking. Diaz is tough as nails, can take a vicious beating, and is perfectly willing to take shots in order to land devastating counter punches. His striking is deceptive in that it doesn’t look overwhelmingly powerful, but he puts opponents in trouble with volume of punching and by refusing to give them an opening in which to recover.
I think this fight favors Diaz on every level. He is worlds better on the ground, has a much better chin, and his offensive striking is just as dangerous as Santos’. I expect Cyborg to come pushing forward out of the gate like he always does, but Diaz will quickly establish control with superior reach and technical boxing, bruising Cyborg up before finishing him. Diaz by T/KO.
Prediction: Nick Diaz via third round T/KO.
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