Every year my new year’s resolution is the same. I always try to make myself breakdown more cards (this year I also want to reach Starbucks gold card status, but that is a different story). As the cliché goes, there is no time like the present.
Jack Bratcher and Denny Hodge have been on the ground in Nashville and doing great work getting our readers prepared for Friday night’s show. Therefore, I have stepped up and decided to do a little preview. I also drank three cups of coffee today alone, so I am well on the way to reaching my goals.
Strikeforce Challengers 13 is probably the best card in Challengers series history. On top of that, this weekend is a free preview of Showtime, so a whole new audience can watch the card live.
Tyron Woodley vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Rarely in MMA do you see a striker pick up the wrestling game the way Saffiedine has. If fact, I did not believe it was possible. I actually picked him to lose to both Nate Moore and Brock Larson, and boy, I was wrong.
However, I am going to have to pick against him again. Woodley is a prospect with next-level potential. He has the perfect wrestling style for MMA. On top of that, he has shown natural aptitude in both the striking and submission games. Strikeforce should also be commended for bringing him along properly. Look for Woodley to hold his own on the feet, but ultimately finish the fight with a head and arm choke on the ground.
Pick = Tyron Woodley
Daniel Cormier vs. Devin Cole
When people say things like “MMA has come a long way.” I always think about Cole. When he made his IFL debut against Carlos Cline the message boards were alive calling him the next big thing in the heavyweight division. Now, we know that he is just a guy who can win fights when he has a wrestling advantage.
Cole will not have that advantage against Cormier. He has a level of wrestling that alone could lead him into title contention. However, he has picked up just enough of the other aspects of the sport and shown that he has some power.
Pick = Daniel Cormier
Ovince St. Preux vs. Ron Humphrey
I don’t think you could possibly understand how hard it is for me to not make a joke about how “Humphrey smoked George Bush at Strikeforce Challengers 7.” Anyway…
This fight is an example of some great match making. Both fighters currently inhabit an in-between spot in the promotion. A win here could propel either fighter into bigger fights in the light heavyweight division. Humphrey has fought the better competition. However, I can’t get the vision of St. Preux putting a 10-7 round on Benji Radach out of my head.
Pick = Ovince St. Preux
Amanda Nunes vs. Julia Budd
Whenever I break down a women’s bout I find myself saying something like “this is a battle between potential and experience. Nunes has more fights and even beaten some decent competition. Budd’s only fight was a win over Shana Olsen. However, Budd should have the physical game to outwork Nunes. Is the winner of this fight next line for “Cyborg”? Strikeforce doesn’t really have anyone else.
Pick = Jullia Budd
Rhadi Ferguson vs. John Richard
The long-awaited MMA career of Ferguson is in full swing. Fans have wanted him for fight for years. They are impressed with his Olympic pedigree and grappling ability. He is getting up there in age, but he still might be able to win his way into some big name fights in Strikeforce. Richard is taking this on late notice after Ferguson’s original opponent had visa issues. Look for Ferguson to score a quick takedown and impress in the grappling game.
Pick = Rhadi Ferguson
Three cups of coffee is amateur hour. I’ve had five diet sodas and two 16 oz energy drinks.
True, but I am paying $5 a piece here
Is it weird to anyone else that the best matchup for the #1 PFP female fighter in MMA is (quite likely IMO) gonna be 2-0 going into that fight?
Well, I would say that the winner of this fight would be the best matchup for Cyborg that Strikeforce has under contract. The problem really is that Cyborg is in a weird space. There are not that many women out there who naturally fight at 145. 135 is a big division in North America, but 145 is a wasteland. That is why Gary Shaw tried to push the ridiculous 140-pound division. Carano and Cyborg are both guilty of pounding inflated 135 pounders. Even Nunes should probably be at 135. Hopefully soon more 145-pound wrestlers and judo players like Ronda Rousey populate the division.
Good points. Maybe Lucia Rijker can make a comeback, or Randamie(sp?) can pan out well…
Have you seen Rijker play a Romulan on Star Trek? Classic stuff. Germaine de Randamie would probably be best at 135 too.
I think Lana Stefanac should cut down from 200.
A lot of people are hoping that Rin Nakai could maybe rise to the occasion. She did trump Hari at “Soul of Fight.” However, I have seen her, and she is a long shot against Cyborg.
The M-1 hype machine was pushing Cindy Dandois, but she lost to a no-name in her last fight. Plus, her claim to fame was getting a gift decision over Coenen.
I might have to write a column about the dearth of talent in women’s 145
You’d have a good amount of material, especially considering Budd just got smashed and Nunes is better suited for 135. Who knows though maybe Nunes speed could give Cyborg some problems.