Tag: Keith Jardine

Rockhold vs. Jardine Predictions

Filed under: StrikeforceCan a move down to middleweight revitalize the career of Keith Jardine? Or will Luke Rockhold simply be too much for the Dean of Mean? Will King Mo Lawal make a case that he’s the top light heavyweight on the Strikeforce roster,…

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Can a move down to middleweight revitalize the career of Keith Jardine? Or will Luke Rockhold simply be too much for the Dean of Mean? Will King Mo Lawal make a case that he’s the top light heavyweight on the Strikeforce roster, or is Lorenz Larkin set for the biggest win of his career? Can Tyron Woodley, Jordan Mein, Tarec Saffiedine of Tyler Stinson put on the kind of performance that gets people interested in the Strikeforce welterweight division again?

We’ll attempt to answer those questions and more as we predict the winners of Saturday night’s Strikeforce event below.

What: Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine

When: Saturday, the undercard will be televised by Showtime Extreme starting at 8 p.m. ET and the Showtime televised main card begins at 10.

Where: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

Predictions on the five Showtime televised fights below.

Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine
 Giving Jardine a Strikeforce middleweight title shot is an odd move: Jardine left the UFC on a four-fight losing streak, fought to a draw with Gegard Mousasi in his only Strikeforce fight, and has never fought at middleweight before. So, yes, the matchmaking here is a little strange. But Rockhold is the promotion’s middleweight champion, and Strikeforce needs to find him high-profile opponents, and given the current middleweight depth in Strikeforce, Jardine was about as good as it was going to get.

So how does this fight go? I have a feeling Jardine is going to be weakened by the weight cut, and that Rockhold will have better cardio and have his way with Jardine on the ground. Eventually I like Rockhold to finish Jardine on the ground.
Pick: Rockhold
Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov
 The matchmaking here is a little strange, too, but the fight itself should be a lot of fun: Lawler and Amagov are both heavy hitters with exciting styles. Lawler has lost four of his six fights since signing with Strikeforce in 2009 and may be fighting for his job, and I think he’ll come out focused and ready to finish Amagov quickly.
Pick: Lawler
Muhammed Lawal vs. Lorenz Larkin
 Larkin is one of the most fun fighters to watch on the entire Strikeforce roster, as evidenced by a cult following he developed while winning three straight Challengers Series fights. But while Larkin has a 12-0 record with eight wins by knockout or TKO, he’s never faced anyone even remotely as good as King Mo. Lawal is so much better a wrestler than Larkin that he can easily grind out a decision on the ground if he chooses to, and the biggest question may be whether Lawal decides to keep it safe and win a decision or take some chances and try to put on a show. I expect Mo to take the latter approach, which means there’s a chance Larkin catches him with one of his patented unorthodox strikes, but the much more likely result is that Mo proves he’s simply too skilled a mixed martial artist for someone as raw as Larkin.
Pick: Lawal
Tyron Woodley vs. Jordan Mein
 Woodley is a great wrestler who’s getting better standing up and is now 9-0 in his professional MMA career. Mein has looked good recently and is on a six-fight winning streak, and he might test Woodley’s chin. But Woodley shouldn’t have much trouble clinching with Mein, taking him down and winning a decision.
Pick: Woodley
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson
 Saffiedine lost to Woodley a year ago and then bounced back with a good win over Scott Smith. Stinson won his Strikeforce debut with a 15-second knockout of Eduardo Pamplona in July, but he’s going to struggle trading strikes with Saffiedine.
Pick: Saffiedine

 

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Strikeforce Las Vegas: Does Keith Jardine Really Deserve a Title Shot?

Strikeforce returns to Las Vegas this Saturday for what will be the first title bout of 2012 as Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold makes the first defense of the belt he claimed from Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in September when he squares of a…

Strikeforce returns to Las Vegas this Saturday for what will be the first title bout of 2012 as Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold makes the first defense of the belt he claimed from Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in September when he squares of against…

Well, that’s the thing. Rockhold’s first Strikeforce middleweight title defense comes against someone that many certainly did not expect.

It’s not Gegard Mousasi, but then again, there’s nothing surprising about the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion opting to drop down 20 pounds when he’s still finding some success at 205 despite a draw and a unanimous decision win in two of his last three bouts.

It was supposed to be Tim Kennedy, after a win over Robbie Lawler at the “Fedor vs. Henderson” card, but an injury forced him to turn down the fight, and Strikeforce tends to shelf some champions and some former champions, which often fuels the desire to fight outside of the Strikeforce banner.

Henceforth, Jacare is out of the question, and that’s where the pool for Rockhold runs bone-dry.

Well, it runs dry unless you count Keith Jardine, who is dropping down to middleweight for this fight against Rockhold, which comes off the heels of a draw against Mousasi. But does Jardine deserve a shot after the draw with Mousasi?

Absolutely not, and there is a reason why he does not.

This is Jardine’s middleweight debut after a long stint at 205 and a brief stint at heavyweight, and while it’s brave of Jardine to take Rockhold on with the title in the balance, it’s a fight Jardine should not have taken simply because he has not been tested in that division yet.

Anyone—including Lawler, Kennedy or even Lumumba Sayers—would have served as some sort of test to see where Jardine stood in the division, but Jardine took a title shot in his middleweight debut.

Applaud Jardine for his heart and willingness to give Rockhold a very hazardous encounter, but this time, “The Dean of Mean” might have bitten off more than he can chew.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Top 5 Unexpected Changes in MMA of the Past Few Months

As each year passes in MMA, the sport grows exponentially and brings on new changes. The UFC seems to grow with each passing day, but in such a sport that is primarily run as a business, the variables in play can sometimes shock us when they change.&nb…

As each year passes in MMA, the sport grows exponentially and brings on new changes. The UFC seems to grow with each passing day, but in such a sport that is primarily run as a business, the variables in play can sometimes shock us when they change. 

This is a look at what has happened in the recent months, closing out the 2011 year.

These are the five biggest, UNEXPECTED moments that left fans scratching their heads, stunned in amazement, or just plain upset. 

Begin Slideshow

Knockout of the Day: Jim Wallhead Smokes Joey Villasenor at Bamma 8

(Props to HDNetFights for the vid. Fight starts at the 4:20 mark.) 

I’m going to come right out and say it; Jim Wallhead may be the pound-for-pound scariest looking dude in mixed martial arts today. Say what you want about Keith Jardine, Tank Abbott, or even Ruben “Nightwolf” Villareal (lolz!), but none of them hold a candle to Wallhead, who looks like the bastard love child of General Vogel and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All the more terrifying is the fact that Wallhead actually has the skills to back up his grizzled demeanor. Currently 9-1 in his past ten fights, including wins over Frank Trigg, Che Mills, and Ryan Thomas, Wallhead’s career furthers the theory that anyone nicknamed “Judo” is one bad mofo who should not be tested.


(Props to HDNetFights for the vid. Fight starts at the 4:20 mark.) 

I’m going to come right out and say it; Jim Wallhead may be the pound-for-pound scariest looking dude in mixed martial arts today. Say what you want about Keith Jardine, Tank Abbott, or even Ruben “Nightwolf” Villareal (lolz!), but none of them hold a candle to Wallhead, who looks like the bastard love child of General Vogel and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All the more terrifying is the fact that Wallhead actually has the skills to back up his grizzled demeanor. Currently 9-1 in his past ten fights, including wins over Frank Trigg, Che Mills, and Ryan Thomas, Wallhead’s career furthers the theory that anyone nicknamed “Judo” is one bad mofo who should not be tested.

Apparently Strikeforce veteran “Smokin” Joey Villasenor did not get this message, and had to have it hand delivered to him via a Wallhead left hook just over 40 seconds into the first round. And it also appears that Joey must have made a pass at the referee’s wife backstage, because the man in black not only allows an unconscious Villasenor to take about 4 punches too many, but baseball slides to Wallhead’s side to get a close up view of the unnecessary punishment. Don’t shit where you eat, Joey, that’s all I’m saying.

Now, if the fight itself doesn’t convince you how frightening an individual Wallhead truly is, pause the video at 5:15, and you will know exactly what Dr. Sam Loomis was talking about back in 1978.

With the win, “Judo” Jim improves to 23-6, and Villasenor drops to 28-10.

-Danga 

Rockhold, Lawler, King Mo, Others Set for Action at Jan. 7 Strikeforce Event

Filed under: Strikeforce, NewsStrikeforce on Thursday announced four of the five televised bouts slated for its Jan. 7 event at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The new matchups are Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov, Muhammed “…

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Strikeforce on Thursday announced four of the five televised bouts slated for its Jan. 7 event at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The new matchups are Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs. Lorenz Larkin and Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson.

And as previously reported, the main event will be middleweight champion Luke Rockhold defending his belt against UFC veteran Keith Jardine.

“Jardine is a big name who’s fought a lot of tough guys in this sport,” Rockhold said in a statement. “I’m not going to sleep on him or this opportunity. This isn’t just another fight for me, I’ve wanted my chance to prove I’m a champion and a five-round title defense is the way to do it.”

Rockhold (8-1), undefeated in seven Strikeforce fights, captured the middleweight strap away from Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza by unanimous decision in September. Jardine (17-9-2) made his Strikeforce debut in April, fighting Mousasi to a draw. Jardine will be making his 185-pound debut.

Lawler (18-8) will be looking to snap a two-fight losing streak. In 2011, Lawler lost to both Souza and Kennedy. Amagov (9-1-1) made the jump from the Russian MMA scene to Strikeforce in July and has since won two bouts.


In his lone fight in 2011, Lawal (8-1) scored a first-round knockout over Roger Gracie. Larkin (12-0) won four fights this year, three of which took place inside the Strikeforce cage.

Saffiedine (11-3) lost to Tyron Woodley in January and then bounced back to beat Scott Smith in July. Stinson (22-7) made his Strikeforce debut in July and earned an impressive KO over Eduardo Pamplona.

 

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Report: Keith Jardine to Challenge for Strikeforce Middleweight Title, Because Who Even Cares at This Point


(Unlicensed plastic surgery: It rarely works out the way you want it to.)

As we mentioned yesterday, Strikeforce is clinging on to life despite the fact that their biggest stars have either been poached or are on hiatus from fighting, and their championship belts now have less legitimacy than that chick’s doo-doo back tattoo. So how sketchy have things gotten over there? This sketchy:

Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is slated to defend his belt against former UFC veteran Keith Jardine on Jan. 7, MMA Fighting has confirmed with sources close to the fight. The title fight is expected to headline the organization’s first event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino…Rockhold was expected to meet Tim Kennedy in his first title defense, but according to sources, Kennedy couldn’t commit to the fight due to an undisclosed injury.


(Unlicensed plastic surgery: It rarely works out the way you want it to.)

As we mentioned yesterday, Strikeforce is clinging on to life despite the fact that their biggest stars have either been poached or are on hiatus from fighting, and their championship belts now have less legitimacy than that chick’s doo-doo back tattoo. So how sketchy have things gotten over there? This sketchy:

Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is slated to defend his belt against former UFC veteran Keith Jardine on Jan. 7, MMA Fighting has confirmed with sources close to the fight. The title fight is expected to headline the organization’s first event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino…Rockhold was expected to meet Tim Kennedy in his first title defense, but according to sources, Kennedy couldn’t commit to the fight due to an undisclosed injury.

Keep in mind that Jardine is 0-0 as a middleweight, and 0-0-1 under the Strikeforce banner, with his only SF appearance resulting in an ugly (and sort of undeserved) draw against Gegard Mousasi. And yet he’s the best available contender to Luke Rockhold’s belt? Considering who Strikeforce still has left on their middleweight roster, he very well might be — but it’s still the kind of matchup that makes a strong argument for non-title fights.

I hate to see the once-proud Strikeforce promotion limping along like this. It’s time to take Lenny out to the woods, so to speak.