SAN JOSE – The “Strikeforce: Evolution” weigh-ins took place Friday night, Dec. 18, in San Jose, Calif. The fights take place Saturday night, Dec. 19, at the HP Pavilion. The four main card bouts headed up by Cung Le vs. Scott Smith will air on Showtime beginning at 10pm ET/8pm PT. Whether planning to watch the Showtime broadcast or not, join us here at ProMMA.info beginning at 5pm PT/8pm ET for our live ringside play-by-play commentary.
Prior to the fighters stepping on the scales, brand new Strikeforce addition, Herschel Walker had a few words for those in attendance. He said, “I’m not an MMA fighter yet, but come Jan. 30 I will become an MMA fighter.” Walker makes his MMA debut on Jan. 30 in Sunrise, Fla. against an as yet unnamed opponent.
The biggest story coming out of the weigh-ins has to be the massive difference in weight between heavyweights “King Mo” and Mike Whitehead. Mo weighed in at a very light 218.6 lbs., while Whitehead neared the heavyweight limit, weighing in at 261.6 lbs.
Props have to be given to Mo for being willing to fight anyone at any weight. He has consistently stated he will fight at light heavyweight or heavyweight, against whoever they put before him. If he keeps that attitude, and keeps winning, one day his name will have to start being considered for the pound-for-pound rankings by default.
Main Card Bouts:
Cung Le (184) vs. Scott Smith (185.6)
Josh Thomson (153) vs. Gilbert Melendez (154)
Matt Lindland (185.2) vs. Ronald “Jacare” Souza (185.4)
Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (218.6) vs. Mike Whitehead (261.6)
Preliminary Bouts:
Antwain Britt (205.6) vs. Scott Lighty (203)
Daisuke Nakamura (154.4) vs. Justin Wilcox (155.6)
Bobby Stack (153.8) vs. David Douglas (157.6)*
Alex Crispim (145.6)** vs. A.J. Fonseca (143.2)
*David “Tarzan” Douglas was 1.6 lbs. over the 156 lbs. lightweight non-title fight limit. He is being given extra time to try and lose the weight.
**Alex Crispin originally weighed in at 146.2, but came back a couple of minutes later after shedding some clothes and made the limit by weighing in at 145.6 lbs.