‘Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine’ LIVE results and play-by-play

Strikeforce welterweight champ Nate Marquardt puts his title on the line this evening as he faces no. 1 contender Tarec Saffiedine on Strikeforce’s final card.

“Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine” is being held tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla. The main card will broadcast live on Showtime starting at 10 p.m. ET, with the preliminary card broadcasting live on Showtime Extreme at 8 p.m. ET.

ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) will provide LIVE results and play-by-play commentary of all the action. Join in the discussion by leaving your thoughts on the fights in the comments section below.

Also, check out ProMMAnow.com’s staff picks to get our predictions on tonight’s fights.

“Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine” quick results:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET)

• Tarec Saffiedine def. Nate Marquardt by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
• Daniel Cormier def. Dion Staring by TKO (ground and pound) Rd 2 (4:02)
• Josh Barnett def. Nandor Guelmino by submission (arm triangle choke) Rd 1 (2:11)
• Gegard Mousasi def. Mike Kyle by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 1 (4:09)
• Ronaldo Souza def. Ed Herman by submission (kimura) Rd 1 (3:10)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Showtime Extreme, 8 p.m. ET)

• Ryan Couture def. KJ Noons by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
• Tim Kennedy def. Trevor Smith by submission (guillotine choke) Rd 3 (1:36)
• Pat Healy def. Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision (29-8, 30-27 x 2)
• Roger Gracie def. Anthony Smith by submission (arm triangle choke) Rd 2 (3:16)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Untelevised, 7 p.m. ET)

• Adriano Martins def. Jorge Gurgel by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Estevan Payan def. Michael Bravo by TKO (strikes) Rd 2 (4:01)

“Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine” play-by-play:

Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith

Round 1 – Smith ready to go, touch gloves. Leg kick Smith. Inside this time. Circling on the outside. Gracie hasn’t thrown a shot yet. Smith misses a couple punches. Leg kick. Gracie dodges the next leg kick. Hook from Smith. Big leg kick. Body jab, staying active. Jab from Gracie, shoots for a single, Smith escapes after Gracie lifts his leg. Couple of leg kicks from Smith, Gracie turns his shin to it. Gracie flashing a little jab, but not committing. Nice leg kicks from Smith, winning the round. Gracie hasn’t landed anything yet, except now an eye poke and Big John checks him out. Touch gloves. Front kick Gracie, caught. Big inside leg kick from Smith, another leg kick. Front kick. Throws a right overhand, followed by a leg kick. Inside leg kick from Smith, body shot. High kick from Smith. Gracie with a jab that doesn’t connect. Gracie looks flat and unenthused. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Smith.

Round 2 – Ron Kruck is taking the place of Mauro Ranallo tonight. First time I’ve ever heard Ron do commentating. Interesting. Leg kick from Smith. Body jab. Leg jab. Left hook, jab from Gracie. Inside leg kick from Smith. Gracie chasing him, lands a right, jab. Ducks a huge punch from Smith. Smith keeps touching his eye, looks like he got poked. Gracie tries to take advantage. Gracie with a Thai plum, and puts Smith on the ground. High guard from Smith, closed guard, Gracie postures up. Nice big right from Gracie, passes to side control. Gracie to full mount. Gracie seemed very unmotivated the first round. Much better this round. Nice elbow from Gracie, locks up an arm triangle choke, and Smith who is now bleeding from that elbow taps out. Gracie has a pretty big cut over his left eye himself.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Roger Gracie def. Anthony Smith by submission (arm triangle choke) Rd 2 (3:16)

Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh

Round 1 – They come out swinging and Holobaugh drops Healy. He gets up, clinched against the cage. Nice body shots from Holobaugh, leg kick. Healy backs up with punches but Holobaugh looks hungry and unloads combos. Healy shoots and puts him on his back, on top in half guard now. Holobaugh gets full guard, looks for an armbar but Healy easily pulls out. Healy dropping some punches in side guard.. Holobaugh staying active, looks for an omoplata, now a toe hold. Healy doesn’t panic even though it’s deep. He turns around and starts dropping punches. Holobaugh gets to his feet and Healy presses him to the cage. Nice knee to the body from Holobaugh. Healy drops levels for the takedown, holding a body lock. Holobaugh drops him down backward, tries to take his back. Healy escapes and gets a body lock on Holobaugh from the side. Holobaugh goes for a leg and that gives Healy an opening to sink on a standing rear naked choke. Time runs out. PMN scores the round 10-9 Healy.

Round 2 – Leg kick and a right from Holobaugh. Staying active with more leg kicks and punches but Healy puts him down. Inside full guard, makes the move to side control and full mount. Holobaugh gives up his back. Healy riding high as Holobaugh postures up, both hooks in though. Healy trying to go for the arm as Holobaugh comes out the back door. Healy goes for a heel hook. Holobaugh gets out, scramble, Healy on his back as Holobaugh gets to his feet. Holobaugh drops down, landing on top of Healy, tries to spin to take top control but Healy follows and ends up on top inside full guard. Holobaugh attacking off his back. Elbows from Healy. Holobaugh throws up his legs for an armbar. Healy ends up on top in north-south type position, locks on a reverse triangle and dropping punches with under a minute to go. Holobaugh fights his way out but Healy ends up on top dropping punches and controlling the action. PMN scores it 10-9 Healy.

Round 3 – Leg kick Holobaugh, again, a big one. Healy shoots, stuffed. Holobaugh head hunting, lands some body shots. Exchange of knees. Holobaugh landing some nice counters, lands a big left. Healy stunned, shoots, stuffed. Holobaugh goes for an armbar but ends up on his back. Healy on top dropping punches and elbows from inside open guard. Holobaugh goes for an omoplata, has Healy locked up, finally gets out and looking to take Holobaugh’s back. Healy on top now in half guard, locks on a side choke. Looks tight. Holobaugh turning red, squirming, punching and ultimately survives. Healy still riding him, looking for a Twister, scramble and they punch it out on the ground until the bell. Holobaugh is tough and gritty but just not experienced enough for the veteran. PMN scores the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Healy.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Pat Healy def. Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x 2)

Healy picks up his sixth straight win and probably a ticket to the UFC.

Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith

Round 1 – Leg kick from both, Smith puts Kennedy on his back, on top in half guard. Kennedy fights to get up but Smith scoops his legs out to keep him down. Kennedy uses the cage to get up, clinched. Body shots from Smith, knee from Kennedy. Again, using the plum. Smith goes for a single, Kennedy breaks free to the center. Leg kick from Smith, nice uppercut from Kennedy but Smith puts him back down to the canvas. Kennedy’s back against the cage. Smith fighting to put him flat but Kennedy is up and drops levels for his own takedown, scoops Smith down but pops right up with a little help from the cage. They square up in the center. Nice counter jab from Smith. clinch, knees from Kennedy and Smith gives him one to the family jewels. Touch gloves. Nice left hook from Smith, leg kick. Kennedy’s chin straight up in the air. Smith shoots, stuffed. Kennedy pushes him to the cage, gets a body lock but Smith escapes to the center. Front kick to the face from Kennedy. Smith shoots, scramble, clinched against the cage, Knee from Kennedy. Nice elbow and body shots from Smith. PMN scores it 10-9 Kennedy. I have to say one thing. Kruck has said a couple times that something “just missed” when it clearly landed solid. Most recently this was Kennedy’s front kick to the face.

Round 2 – Left hook from Smith, then a right. Kennedy’s chin straight up. Kennedy shoots, stuffed and gets put on his butt. Kennedy gets up with his back to the cage. Body shots from Smith, knee from Kennedy, gets a body lock, looks for the trip. Body shots from Smith. Kennedy gets the trip takedown, on top in half guard. Body shots from Kennedy. Smith gets to his knees, looks to put Kennedy on his back, scramble. Kennedy with a big elbow to the body. Smith on his knees scoops Kennedy’s ankle, looking to take top control. Kennedy holding the body, landing punches to the ribs. Bit of a stalemate. Ref stands them up. Kennedy with a leg kick, Smith shoots for the takedown. It goes to the ground, Smith holding the leg. Kennedy landing punches, scramble, Smith looks for a guillotine. Time is up. PMN scores the round 10-9 Kennedy.

Round 3 – Touch gloves. They trade punches. Left hook from Smith. Kennedy with a Thai plum. Elbow, knee. Smith pushes him to the cage. They square up, leg kick from Smith, high kick. Kennedy showing a jab with his chin straight up. Uppercuts from Kennedy. Smith shoots, takes a knee to the body. Kennedy jumps on a guillotine choke, they go to the ground and Smith taps.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tim Kennedy def. Trevor Smith by submission (guillotine choke) Rd 3 (1:36)

Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons

Round 1 – Touch gloves. Couture circling the outside. Front low kick. Jab, fakes a shot. Big leg kick. Again. Clinch, nice knee to the face from Couture. Noons with a jab. Uppercut. Leg kick from Couture. Noons with an uppercut as he avoids the clinch. Leg kick from Couture. Right from Noons. Noons with a right avoiding the clinch. Front kick from Couture. Looks for the clinch, eats a couple. Noons looking for the counter. Uppercut from Noons. Couture trying to leap in with attacks and get back out. Leg kick. Nice exchange from both, both guys connecting with punches. High kick and a wheel kick from Couture that lands solid knocking Noons back. Noons attacks before the bell. PMN scores it 10-9 Couture.

Round 2 – One two Noons. Stalking. Beautiful uppercut stuns Couture. Side kick to the leg from Couture. Couture looks for the shot, lands a knee as Noons avoids. Noons with an uppercut attempt, just misses. Jab, body jab attempt. Couture has put on some muscle. Kick to the back from Couture. Big punch scores for Noons. There’s an accidental headbutt that opens Noons up. Noons looks stunned for a moment. He hurts Couture with punches and pours on the heat. Couture is hurt but Noons is teeing off. Noons bleeding badly after eating a big knee. Couture hangs tough with about a minute to go. Huge right from Noons jacks Couture’s jaw. Left from Couture, Noons counters with big shots. Side kick from Couture. Jab from Noons. Left from Couture. Blood streaming down Noons’ face. One two from Couture. Front kick, knee. Two front kicks. Noons comes back and there’s a big exchange before the bell that brings the crowd to their feet. Wow!  PMN scores the round 10-9 Noons.

Round 3 – Leg kick Couture, side kick. Jab Noons. Jab Couture. Body kick. Jab, leg kick, checked. Noons trying to get inside. Right counter from Couture. Right from Noons. Head kick Couture. He shoots for the single, Noons scrambles, eats a big knee to the face. Punch exchange. Body jab from Noons. Nice right from Noons. Left counter from Noons. Couture slips on a high kick. Back up. Nice right from Couture. Left from Noons. Left hook from Couture. Body shot from Noons to the liver. Big counter right from Noons. Couture clinches, knee. Chases after Noons, Noons counters. Leg kicks from Couture. Jab from Couture. Leg kick Couture. Leg kick Couture. Uppercut, left from Noons. Left hook Couture. Clinch, elbow from Couture. They slug it out to the bell. Great fight guys! Very fun. I think I just became a Ryan Couture fan. Always been a fan of Noons’ fighting. PMN scores the round 10-9 Noons and the fight 29-28 Noons. However, it could go either way. Very close.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ryan Couture def. KJ Noons by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

Pat Miletich and Frank Shamrock both thought Noons won. The fight stats also confirm the point. Miletich mentions that Randy Couture wrestled at Oklahoma State. I did score it for Noons but it was very close and don’t have a real problem with Couture getting the nod. Great fight.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Ed Herman

Round 1 – Catchweight 194 lbs. Touch gloves. Herman misses a couple low kicks. Leg kick, checked. Herman stalking, clinched against the cage. Dirty boxing from Herman. Nice punches from Jacare on the break. Nice front kick to the face then a right from Jacare. Herman fires back. Jacare ducks under and puts Herman on his back. Herman locks up a leg. Jacare gets free. Illegal upkick from Herman. Ref stands them up after warning Herman. Jacare lands a big right. Lands a nice left. Clinch, knees from Jacare. Big punches from Jacare, big slam on Herman and lands in side control. Jacare locks up a kimura, bends it all the ay back and Herman taps out defeating the only UFC fighter ever to come into Strikeforce on loan.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ronaldo Souza def. Ed Herman by submission (kimura) Rd 1 (3:10)

Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle

Round 1 – Touch gloves. Kyle looks huge. Huge leg kick from Mousasi. Inside leg kick now. Kyle head hunting. Thai plum, knees from Kyle. Mousasi drops levels, Kyle defends. Jab from Mousasi. Jab from Kyle. Big left hook from Mousasi misses. Leg kick Kyle. Punch exchange, Mousasi puts Kyle on his back, inside Kyle’s full guard. Nice elbows from Mousasi. Another, punches too. Mousasi in half guard now, initiated by Kyle as he tries to do something to get up. Kyle holding on, hoping for a standup. Mousasi full mount, postures up with punches. Kyle gives up his back, Mousasi unleashes a flurry of punches. Kyle gives up his back, Mousasi locks in the choke and Kyle taps out on three separate occasions before the ref stops it. This should certainly earn Mousasi a shot in the UFC. Mousasi vs. Anderson Silva anyone?

OFFICIAL RESULT: Gegard Mousasi def. Mike Kyle by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 1 (4:09)

Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino

Round 1 – Barnett with a new haircut. He shoots in right away, gets the takedown. Nandor holding his neck. Barnett inside full guard. Barnett had the flu for the past week or so. Little elbow from Barnett. Punch from Nandor. Barnett stands over Nandor, drops down for a leg lock. Nandor escapes, Barnett shoots. Nandor goes for a judo throw, Barnett defends, has a body lock and gets the trip takedown and lands in full mount. Barnett locks on an arm triangle with ease and Nandor quickly taps out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Josh Barnett def. Nandor Guelmino by submission (arm triangle choke) Rd 1 (2:11)

Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring

Round 1 -Cormier gets big cheers. Staring gets booed. Staring looking mean, gets in his face for staredowns. No glove touch. Now they touch gloves. Dion trying to sneak a right. Head kick from Cormier. Clinch, knee from Dion. Big leg kick from Cormier. Clinch, takedown from Cormier. Nice wrestling from the pro. Side control from Cormier. Here comes the elbows. Cormier gets a crucifix but Dion gets out of it and gets to his feet. Cormier still hanging on to his body. Dion is up, squares up, tells Cormier to come on. Haircut and a couple big punches from Cormier stun Staring. Cormier puts him down again, side control. Short elbows from Cormier. Staring gets to his knees and feet. Head kick Cormier. Ref calls time to put Staring’s mouthpiece back in. Staring clinches. Cormier pushes him to the cage. Cormier puts him down, full mount. Punches from Cormier, elbows. 30 seconds to go. Cormier keeps busy until the bell sounds with big shots. Staring survives but Cormier dominating. PMN scores it 10-9 for Cormier.

Round 2 – By the way, Overeem and Scott Barrett are in Dion Staring’s corner. Touch gloves. Front kick from Dion, clinches, turns Dion around, knee from Cormier. Underhooks from Cormier. Tries for the trip takedown, Dion defends. Cormier backs out. Couple jabs from Cormier. Body shot from Staring. Cormier gets the trip takedown. Cormier in side control. 3:30 to go. Staring gets to his knees. Cormier riding his back. Staring rolls and ends back on the bottom. Elbows and big punches from Cormier. Mount. Dion gives up his back. Full mount now from Cormier. Dion barely surviving, eating punch after punch. Dion gets to his knees. Dion is a tough son of a gun. Dion just covering up and finally Big John stops it. Dion Staring did a lot better than probably many people thought he would but he’s with a good camp and is a very experienced fighter.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Daniel Cormier def. Dion Staring by TKO (ground and pound) Rd 2 (4:02)

Cormier said he has signed his contract with the UFC and is looking to fight Frank Mir on April 20 on Fox. Then he said in the fall he will move to 205 for Jon Jones.

Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine

Round 1 – Here we go. The final SF bout. Marquardt takes the center. Leg kick from Tarec. He circles the outside. They kick shins. Leg kick Tarec. Big leg kick from Nate. Side kick to the body from Nate. They trade leg kicks. Nice movement from Tarec. Big leg kick. Tarec drops Nate with a punch, he touches a knee and gets up, shoots. Stuffed, Tarec pushes him to the cage. Nate goes for a huge elbow on the break, misses. Big body kick from Tarec. Leg kick Nate. Nate stalking. Big leg kick from Tarec. Side kick misses by Nate. Leg kick Nate. Right from Nate, Tarec avoids it. Tarec pushes him to the cage. Clinch battle. Trade knees to the body. Underhooks from Tarec, pushes Nate to the cage. Nate turns him around, they do the do-si-do. Tarec backs out. Nate stalks but time is up. PMN scores it 10-9 for Tarec. Replay shows Tarec dropped Nate with a right while backing up.

Round 2 – Left jab from Nate. Leg kick Tarec, big one. Tarec switching stances. Nice leg kick from Nate. Tarec lands a body kick that also looks to connect to the chin with his knee and Nate drops down for the shot. Hurt him a bit. Nate sweeps the back leg while holding a single and Tarec goes down but gets right up, pushes Nate to the cage. Clinch battle. Knees from both guys. Nate pressing him to the cage. Ref wants action.  Separates them. Head kick from Nate. Leg kick from Tarec. Jab from Tarec. Leg kick. Inside leg kick from Tarec, big outside leg kick. Nate looks to be fading. Tarec seems to have the better standup- I honestly forgot how great of a striker he is when making our staff picks. Nate shoots, stuffed. Lg kicks from both. Left from Tarec scores as Nate’s hands are low. Right counter from Tarec. Wheel kick from Nate but slips to the ground and the kicks is blocked. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Tarec.

Round 3 – The longer this fight goes, the worse it’s going to get for Nate’s cardio. Clinch, Tarec looks for the trip. Nate defends. Clinch battle, knees. Boos from the crowd. Tarec breaks free. Jabs from Nate. Leg kick from Tarec, presses Nate to the cage. Nate turns him around. Body shot from Tarec. Nate rocks him with a punch. Leg kick Tarec. Tarec seems okay. Right from Nate. One two from Tarec. Clinch, knee from Nate. Tarec backs up. Jabs from Nate. Leg kick Tarec. Nate fading, breathing out his mouth. Big leg kick Tarec. Again. Uppercut Nate. Leg kick Tarec. Right from Nate. Big leg kick Tarec. Nate’s leg kis beet red. It’s jacked. Another leg kick from Tarec, one inside now. Nate shoots, stuffed. PMN scores it 10-9 for Tarec.

Round 4 – Tarec with crazy hands, leg kick. One two leg kick. Thai plum, knee from Tarec. Big leg kick from Tarec. Inside leg kick, outside leg kick. Again. His leg is almost done. Again.Nate lands punches, knows it’s all on the line here. Huge leg kick buckles Nate’s leg. Left from Tarec. Another huge leg kick from Tarec. Again. Right from Nate. Nate can barely walk now, he’s on one leg. Leg kick again. Nate tries to catch it. Another. Nate tries to kick with the leg, can’t barely lift it. Another big leg kick from Tarec. Right from Tarec. Clinched against the cage. Tarec backs out. Right from Nate. Clinch, dirty boxing. Right, uppercut from Nate. Two huge leg kicks from Tarec. Inside leg kick now. This is brutal guys. PMN scores it 10-9 Tarec.

Round 5 – Tarec is fired up. Leg kick. Again. Body shot, right from Nate. Leg kick Tarec. That leg is swollen so bad. Another kick to it. I don’t know why he’s not checking it. High kick from Tarec. Clinch, Tarec pushes him to the cage. Nice uppercuts and right from Tarec. He backs out. Jab, leg kick from Tarec. Right from Nate. He finally checks a kick. Right from Tarec, leg kick. Nate shoots, stuffed. Tarec pushes him to the leg. 2:00 to go. Tarec backs out. Leg kick. Clinch. Tarec backs out. Leg kick. Left hand, right, clinch. Tarec with a big takedown, on top in half guard. In full guard and finishes strong. PMN scores it 10-9 and 50-45 for Tarec Saffiedine. What a great story and a great way for Strikeforce to go out with the emergence of Tarec Saffiedine as a force and champion.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tarec Saffiedine def. Nate Marquardt by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)