Photo by Jack Bratcher for ProMMAnow.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – ProMMAnow.com is live and on the scene from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., for tonight’s epic “Strikeforce: Nashville” show.

The event airs live on CBS at 9 p.m. ET with the main event of Jake Shields (24-4-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) vs. Dan Henderson (25-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC, 0-0 SF) for the Strikeforce Middleweight title, in addition to two other title fights, together making up Strikeforce’s biggest card in the orgainization’s history.

Strikeforce Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (17-2 MMA, 7-1 SF) will be facing off against the Shinya Aoki (23-4 MMA, 0-0 SF), who is widely considered to be the best pure grappler in all of MMA.  The third title on the line tonight will be for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight strap, as champ Gegard Mousasi (28-2-1 MMA, 2-0 SF) defends his belt against the explosive personality and athleticism of the fast rising “King Mo” Lawal (6-0 MMA, 1-0 SF).

Also on the main card is the popular MMA fighter and TV personality, Jason “Mayhem” Miller (22-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC, 0-1 SF) facing Tim Stout (9-7).  All of the main card bouts will be aired live on CBS starting at 9 p.m. ET.

Stay tuned to ProMMAnow.com for live, round-by-round coverage of tonight’s event that starts at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 9 p.m. ET for the televised main card.

Quick Results:

Main Card

  • Jake Shields def. Dan Henderson via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) and remains the Strikeforce Middleweight Champion
  • Gilbert Melendez def. Shinya Aoki via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) and remains the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion
  • “King Mo” Lawal def. Gegard Mousasi via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) and is the new Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
  • Jason Miller def. Tim Stout via TKO (strikes) Round 1, 3:09

Preliminary Card

  • Cody Floyd def. Thomas Campbell via KO (knee) Round 3
  • Dustin Ortiz def. Justin Pennington via submission (rear naked choke) Round 1
  • Zach Underwood def. Hunter Worsham via unanimous decision
  • Cale Yarbrough def. Josh Schockman via TKO, Round 2
  • Andy Uhrich def. Dustin West via submission (rear naked choke) Round 1, 1:36
  • Ovince St. Preux def. Chris Hawk via. KO (strikes) Round 1, 0:47

Thomas Campbell vs. Cody Floyd

Round 1 – Floyd with the jab, Campbell with the leg kick. Floyd lands a knee and Campbell goes for the slam, but end up in a guillotine attempt. Clinch against the cage with Campbell still looking for the single leg take down. Campbell finally gets it. Floyd is scrambling to get to his feet, and throwing elbows with Campbell on his back. Big elbow from Floyd with Campbell still working to take the fight to the ground. Campbell is relentless with the single leg attempt. Campbell still working for the single but Floyd is defending nicely. Floyd lands a knee to the body of Campbell, but Campbell is still holding the leg. Campbell is bleeding from the strikes of Floyd. Campbell is eating shots holding onto the ankle of Floyd then gets reversed. Floyd now standing in the guard of Campbell landing repeated shots from the top. Floyd transitions to mount and scoots Campbell to the cage and is dropping big punches and elbows to the face of Campbell. Campbell is holding on but is getting beat badly with 10 seconds to go. Floyd transitions for the arm bar and he has it, but time has ran out. ProMMANow.com scores Round 1, 10-9 for Cody Floyd.

Round 2 – Floyd with a big left hand, then scores with a right hand. Floyd flies in with the knee and gets taken down. Floyd works back to his feet but is taken back down. Floyd scrambles out and time is called due to an illegal elbow. Campbell has recovered and the fight is back on. Floyd lands a solid 3 punch combo and is getting the better of the stand up. Campbell goes straight for the takedown. Floyd scrambles and stuffs it. Floyd waits for Campbell to stand and lands another big shot. Campbell is turtled up, but has a leg. Floyd transitions and is now on top. Floyd is in the half guard but is looking to pass. Floyd stands and rips his leg out, then throws more punches. Campbell grabs and ankle and holds on. Floyd transitions to Campbell’s back and Campbell rolls but is eating big shots again. Floyd from side mount to north-south, and is controlling Campbell. Floyd back to his feet, and Campbell grabs the ankle again and gets hit with knees to the body. Huge knee shots from Floyd, then he backs up and lets him stand. Big knee from Floyd, then a head kick just misses at the bell. ProMMANow.com scores Round 2, 10-9 for Cody Floyd.

Round 3 – Nice stiff jab from Floyd, Campbell counters with a right hand. Campbell stumbles to the mat, and Floyd flies in and controls the head then steps back. The ref stands Campbell up and Floyd attacks with a big knee and Campbell is down and the fight is over.

Cody Floyd def. Thomas Campbell via KO (knee) Round 3

Justin Pennington vs. Dustin Ortiz

Round 1 – Pennington comes out quick but misses with two punches. Ortiz scores with the leg kick. Body kick blocked by Ortiz. Kick misses by Pennington, then he scores with a right hand. Inside leg kick by Ortiz. Double jab from Ortiz. Unintentional low blow from Ortiz stops the action for a second. Back to action… Right hand misses by Pennington and Ortiz takes him down. Ortiz on top in the half guard, and lands an elbow to the body and gains full mount. Ortiz locks up an arm triangle and looks to finish. He re-adjusts and it’s tight! Ortiz transitions back to full mount. Ortiz in control from the top. Ortiz landing punches now from high in the mount. Pennington rolls and Ortiz takes his back immediately. Ortiz flattens him out and is now landing multiple right hands, then goes for the rear naked choke. He lets it go then readjusts. Ortiz lets go, then switches his grip and it’s all over.

Dustin Ortiz def. Justin Pennington via submission (rear naked choke) Round 1

Hunter Worsham vs. Zach Underwood

Round 1 – Underwood with a right hand that misses. Worsham comes forward with a kick, then looks to take the fight down but gets stuffed. Worsham keeps working and gets the takedown. Worsham now landing knees to the body of Underwood clinched against the cage. Worsham controlling the clinch against the cage and they separate. Back to the center of the cage now. Leg kick from Worsham countered with a right hand from Underwood. Underwood coming forward with a big right hand then an uppercut. Worsham works for the takedown and gets it. Ground and pound from Worsham as he postures up from the half guard of Underwood. Underwood is trying to stand and eats a knee. Underwood reverses and presses Worsham against the cage. Worsham throws a knee from the clinch then takes Underwood back down to the ground again. Underwood turtles and Worsham takes his back. Underwood rolls at the bell. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 1 for Hunter Worsham, 10-9.

Round 2 – Leg kick from Worsham to start the round. Another kick, but this one is countered with a big right hand from Underwood. Overhand right from Underwood and he’s stalking Worsham now. Worsham shoots for the single, gets an ankle and works Underwood to the mat. Underwood is sprawled with Worsham holding a leg, and Underwood is scoring with knees to the body. More knees from the top to the shoulder of Worsham. Worsham scrambles out and gets to his feet. Underwood presses Worsham against the cage then works him to the ground. Underwood is now on top and he’s landing some shots now. Worsham rolls and gives up his back. Underwood gets his hooks in for a moment, then he’s out to the side landing punches. Underwood landing repeated right hands now. Worsham stands but is worked right back to the ground. He stands again and turns into Underwood. Worsham is holding on with his back against the cage. Worsham grabs an arm looking for the kimura, then gets taken down again. Underwood in the full guard of Worsham, but gets swept. Worsham now has full mount. Underwood rolls and gets caught in the rear naked choke but it’s too late as the bell sounds. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 2 for Zach Underwood, 10-9.

Round 3 – Touch of gloves for the start of the final round. Underwood loads up with two huge right hands that just miss. Worsham counters with a nice leg kick, then shoots in for the takedown but gets stuffed. Worsham is turtled up with Underwood on his back. Underwood is scoring with punches from the back of Worsham. Hammerfists from Underwood with the left hand, followed by punches to the body and head with the right hand. Worsham tries to roll but Underwood recognizes and maintains control. Worsham dives for a leg and has it but Underwood recognizes it. Arm bar attempt from Worsham but Underwood is out quickly. Clinch against the cage, Worsham tries to separate but can’t. Finally the ref separates them. Worsham shoots again but is stuffed again. Underwood controlling the body of Worsham on the ground. Worsham is trying to reverse but cannot. ProMMAnow.com scores the final round 10-9 for Underwood, and the fight overall to Zach Underwood, 29-28.

Zach Underwood def. Hunter Worsham via unanimous decision

Cale Yarbrough vs. Josh Schockman

Round 1 – Leg kick from both guys. Yarbrough comes forward but misses with the right. Leg kick from Schockman. Schockman comes forward looking for the double. Yarbrough landing right hands with Schockman looking for the take down. Thai clinch from both guys and Yarbrough scores with a knee. Schockman eats 2 knees to the body from the clinch with his back against the cage. They disengage. Right hand from Schockman and then Yarbrough scores with a huge knee that bloodies and drops Schockman. Yarbrough in side mount, then straight to full mount. Yarbrough staying busy from the top. Schockman throws his legs up to try to escape mount. He retains half guard but Yarbrough is keeping the pressure on. Back to side control from Yarbrough. Grinding elbows from Yarbrough from the top. Schockman kicks him off and stands up. The referee stops the fight to check the cut. Schockman is bleeding badly from a cut on his forehead. Left hand from Schockman. Huge kick to the body from Schockman, and again with the big kick. Leg kick from Schockman and Yarbrough takes him down. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 1 for Cale Yarbrough, 10-9.

Round 2 – Leg kick from Schockman. Yarbrough answers with his own. Yarbrough with the a nice combo, then grabs the plum clinch and socres with knees. Schockman gets space and lands another kick to the body. Elbow from Yarbrough lands another knee and drops Schockman again. He’s on top and landing big punches. The referee steps in and it’s all over.

Cale Yarbrough def. Josh Schockman via TKO, Round 2

Tim Stout vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller

Round 1 – Miller showboating early… Big leg kick from Miller. Overhand right by Stout misses. Huge leg kick to the body from Miller. Stout counters with a right hand. Leg kick from Miller, then a left hand counter after a right hand from Stout. Stout misses with a left hook and Miller puts him on his back. Miller standing over Stout landing big right hands. Stout eats another big right hand and he’s cut over his left eye. Miller switches to the left hand and lands some damaging punches from the top. Stout trying to control the wrists of “Mayhem” as he gets stacked. Miller steps back then dives in with big combos from the top. Miller is landing multiple left hands and the ref is calling for Stout to defend himself. He turtles up and Miller is teeing off, and it’s all over.

Jason Miller def. Tim Stout via TKO (strikes) Round 1, 3:09

Andrew Uhrich vs. Dustin West

Round 1 – West with a big right hand that lands flush, then eats a shot from Uhrich and is staggered for a second. West has recovered and is now defending against the take down. West locks up his neck looking for a guillotine. Uhrich gets the double leg takedown with West still holding onto the guillotine. Uhrich transitions to mount and West rolls giving up his back. Uhrich looking for the rear naked choke as he flattens out West. The choke looks tight as West rolls. Uhrich looking to finish and West taps.

Andy Uhrich def. Dustin West via submission (rear naked choke) Round 1, 1:36

Ovince St. Preux vs. Chris Hawk

Round 1 – Hawk fakes the takedown and eats a huge uppercut that drops him. St. Preux follows him down and is looking to finish. St. Preux on top in the half guard of Hawk and is teeing off with big left hands. Hawk appears to be out… and he is!! Great finish for St. Preux.

Ovince St. Preux def. Chris Hawk via. KO (strikes) Round 1, 0:47

Main Card

Gegard Mousasi  vs. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal- Light Heavyweight Championship bout

Round 1 – “King Mo” with the patented entrance, ladies, burberry umbrellas, crown and robe. Mousasi feints to start, as they feel each other out. Lawal with his hands down, Mosuasi goes upstairs with the kick. Left hand from Lawal. Lawal with the left hook, misses with the right hand. Mousasi looks relaxed. “King Mo” grabs a single and Mousasi swings away. Lawal is on top and Mousasi goes for the upkick, then a triangle attempt briefly. Mousasai trying to get to his feet but is still on his back using the butterfly guard. He throws another upikck, and Lawal shakes it off and thorws 3 or 4 punches from the top. Lawal stands up then dives into the guard of Mousasi missing with the right hand. Lawal in side control for the moment. Mousasi kicks off and Lawal stands. Mousasi still throwing upkicks with “King Mo” standing over his guard. Lawal throws the legs to the side and starts some G&P but is being mostly neutralized. Mousasi kicks off again, and Lawal grabs an ankle, dives back in and lands a couple of shots before being kicked off again. Cross face by Lawal from the top. Lawal lands an elbow from the top and Mousasi covers up, then kicks off. More G&P from Lawal but Mousasi stands up and clinches against the cage and is now stalking. Mousasi stuffs a takedown then goes headhunting. He then lands two knees from the clinch before getting dumped back down to the mat. Mousasi kicks off then stands. Brief exchange before they separate. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 1 for “King Mo”, 10-9.

Round 2 – Mousasi looking for the leg kick, as “King Mo” drives forward and gets the takedown. Mousasi has an arm and rolls to his knees against the cage. Lawal has the back of Mousasi and rides him back to his back. Mousasi is throwing right hands from the bottom and landing. He is using the butterfly guard to keep Lawal outside of range, then kicks him off again. Mousasi working a high guard now and almost gets the triangle, but Lawal grabs both legs to defend. Mousasi kicks off again and still looks super relaxed. “King Mo” has his hands down low and is eating kicks before diving back into Mousasi’s guard again. Mousasi kicks off and stands. Left hand misses from Lawal. Mousasi with a big straight right hand, but gets taken down again. Mousasi is landing strikes from the bottom and is outscoring Lawal despite the takedowns. Lawal swings for the fences but misses. Mousasi kicks off again and stands. Lawal lands with a left hand to the body then shoots again getting the takedown. Mousasi goes for the triangle but Lawal shakes it off and is now in side control. Mousasi sweeps Lawal then lands some big punches and Lawal looks to be in trouble. Mousasi takes his back and is scoring with big right hands. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 2 for Mousasi, 10-9.

Round 3 – Big kick to the body from Mousasi. Mousasi to the leg kick then lands a left hand to the body. Superman punch from “King Mo”, Mousasi counters and is now landing the jab. Right hand from Lawal and now is hands are down and he looks tired. Big right hand from Mousasi and he’s stalking him. Lawal comes back and lands with a right hand of his own. Mousasi clinches with Lawal against the cage and they are trading now. Lawal landing big combos and his eye looks swollen shut. Lawal with the takedown again after the exchange. Lawal still on top with the ref calling for action against the cage. Lawal is now scoring with body shots and landing shots to the head of Mousasi from the top. “King Mo” still on top and in control band is staying busy enough to keep it on the ground. 4 big left hands from “King Mo” before Mousasi kicks him off again. Lawal right back into Mousasi’s half guard now with :30 to go in the round. Big John calling for action again, and that’s how the round ends. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 3 for “King Mo” Lawal, 10-9.

Round 4 – Leg kick from Mousasi, followed by a body kick and a left hand to follow. Lawal comes forward with a left hand, then a right before dumping Mousasi on his back again. Mousasi kicks off and goes for the upkick again but Lawal is still on top. “King Mo” postures and lands 2 right hands. Mousasi lands a flush upkick from his back. Big John is calling for action, and Lawal responds landing some left hands. Finally there is a stall and they are stood up. Lawal lands with a left hand, then Mousasi counters with a left hook. Lawal goes for the takedown and Mousasi defends at first then gets put on his back again. Lawal in side control now with 1:30 to go in Round 4. Mousasi retains half guard. Big John calling for action again. The round ends with Lawal on top. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 4 for “King Mo” Lawal, 10-9.

Round 5 – Lawal immediately looks for the takedown but is stuffed. Lawal lands a nice straight punch. Mousasi winds up, and Lawal changes level and drives him across the cage getting yet another takedown. Mousasi cannot stay on his back this round if he is going to win. More upkicks from Mousasi and now Lawal is staying tight in his guard. Lawal in the half guard of Mousasi and Mousasi is trying to land punches from the bottom. Mousasi lands a kick to the grounded Lawal prompting a brief stoppage. Big John McCarthy deducts a point from Mousasi for the strike. Back to action and Mousasi is landing strikes from his back but is being warned to watch the back of the head. Mousasi stands and lands a flurry before Lawal looks for another takedown. Lawal has Mousasi’s back standing, then they separate. Mousasi coming forward looking to finish but Lawal takes him right back down again. Mousasi kicks Lawal off again, and they stand back up. Last change for Mousasi. Mousasi with a left hand, then a right ot the body. Lawal comes back with 2 big rights of his own before taking Mousasi down again. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 5 for “King Mo”, 10-8 with the one point deduction for Mousasi, and the overall fight 49-45 for “King Mo” Lawal

“King Mo” Lawal def. Gegard Mousasi via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) and is the new Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion

Gilbert Melendez  vs. Shinya Aoki – Lightweight Championship bout

Round 1 – Melendez pawwing out a lazy jab to start. Melendez with a right hand to the body, then to a brief clinch before they separate. Melendez looking to the body early. Kick to the body from Aoki, and Melendez catches it as Aoki slips to the mat. He’s back up and they are back to the center of the cage. Melendez catches a finger in the eye and backs away. The referee steps in and stops it to check on the eye. More feeling out from both guys after the restart. Aoki grabs a leg then drags Melendez down. Aoki throws up his legs and goes for the submission, but Melendez powers out. They are back on their feet now and in the center of the cage. Aoki fires off a body kick and Melendez counters to the body again. Melendez really looking at the body, landing punches to the midsection of Aoki. Aoki is now on his back, with Melendez standing over his guard. Melendez jumps in and lands a right hand, then follows up with another right hand. Melendez fires off 3 more right hands that find their mark, before both fighters are back up on their feet with :45 to go. Melendez is stalking Aoki. Aoki faking kicks, then lands one to the shoulder of Melendez. Melendez comes forward to the body again. Aoki scores with another kick and Melendez comes forward turning up the heat as the bell sounds. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 1 for Gilbert Melendez, 10-9.

Round 2 – Aoki comes forward and Melendez scores with a nice stiff right hand. Melendez looking to establish the jab. Aoki goes for the takedown bu Melendez lands a nice shot as he dives in. Aoki is on his back now with blood coming out of his nose, and Melendez is looking to land some big punches from the top. Melendez backs off and Aoki stands. Overhand right just misses from Melendez. Back to the body from Melendez. Aoki looks a bit tentative but calm. Melendez comes forward and lands 4 or 5 punches in a flurry. Right hand from Melendez, Aoki counters with a left hand. Melendez with a nice left hand but then disengages. Back to the body for Melendez. The fight has slowed considerably. Aoki finally shoots gets stuffed, then pulls guard. Melendez makes him pay with 2 right hands to the face. Melendez very careful and keeping his distance at the ankles of Aoki. The referee stands them up after a stall in the action. Aoki is on his back quickly and now Gilbert dives into the full guard of the grappling ace. End of Round 2. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 2 for Gilbert Melendez, 10-9.

Round 3 – Aoki shoots in but is stuffed, then he re-shoots and presses Melendez up against the cage. Aoki looking for the single, but Melendez spins out and steps away, before jumping into the guard of Aoki. Aoki immediately to wrist control, and this is where he is dangerous. Melendez postures and tries to land some shots, steps away then right back in and lands. Back to the feet now. Aoki shoots again but Melendez is stuffing his attempts. Butt scoot by Aoki and Melendez grabs the ankles then backs away. Restart on the feet again and Aoki pulls guard as the crowd boos. Aoki goes to the rubber guard but Melendez powers out and attempts to posture. The referee is calling for action again, but Aoki is stalling the action. Melendez breaks free and throws 8 or 9 punches from the top, with about 4 of them landing. Aoki to the butterfly guard now and the referee is warning to stand them back up and does. Melendez to the body, and Aoki counters with a nice knee before they separate. End of Round 3. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 3 for Gilbert Melendez, 10-9.

Round 4 – Aoki ducks a right hand from Melendez and tries to clinch but is shrugged off. Flying knee from Aoki misses. Melendez flys in and Aoki immediately pulls guard. Melendez keeping his distance and is still trying to punch before stepping back. Back to the feet and Aoki once again tries to take the fight down. Nice jab from Melendez, and Aoki goes for the takedown again and eats a knee to the body. Melendez with the right hand but misses, then back to the body. Melendez throws 4 punches but only one right hand gets through and lands to the body. Some more butt scooting from Aoki, then he stands. Melendez doubling and tripling up with his jab. Aoki fakes the shoot then shoots but Melendez steps back. Aoki scoots toward him, the ref steps in to stand him up and Melendez lands a big shot, but the ref separates him. Aoki eats a big right hand after failing with another takedown attempt. Aoki back to wrist control but Melendez is getting free enough to lands a couple of rights as the round ends. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 4 for Gilbert Melendez, 10-9.

Round 5 – Melendez with a double jab then a right hook as Aoki steps in. Aoki shoots in again and gets poked in the eye on his way in. The referee stops the action for a couple of seconds, then we are back to the fight. Melendez tries to time the shoot of Aoki with a big right hand but Aoki ducks under and pulls guard. Aoki to the rubberguard, but Melendez pushes him against the cage. Melendez breaks free of the grip of Aoki and lands 3 right hands from the top then steps back, allowing Aoki to stand. Aoki shoots again then rolls to his back, but Melendez is having none of that with 1:30 to go. Aoki shoots again, jumps guard, and Melendez immediately walks him toward the cage. Melendez backs out and they are back on their feet. Aoki again with the shot, but Melendez stuffs it. Melendez coming forward now looking to finish and drops Aoki with a right hand then follows him to the mat as the bell sounds. Total domination from the champ. ProMMAnow.com scores the Round 10-9 for Melendez, and the fight overall for Gilbert Melendez, 50-45.

Gilbert Melendez def. Shinya Aoki via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) and remains the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion

Dan Henderson vs. Jake Shields, Middleweight Championship bout

Round 1 – Here we go!! Kick to the body by Shields to start. Nice jab from Shields. Henderson lands a huge right hand that drops Shields. Henderson steps in to finish and Shields grabs a leg and locks it up. Henderson defending and pulls out, stepping away. Shields looks like he has recovered. Shields with a leg kick and he eats another right hand. The crowd is fired up!! Shields with an inside leg kick and Henderson steps in with a 4 punch flurry that drops Shields. Henderson backs away and catches Shields again dropping him. Shields grabs an ankle but Henderson steps away. Henderson smells blood and Shields looks wobbly on his feet. Shields with a jab and a right. Henderson fires his right hand again and Shields clinches. Henderson presses Shields against the cage. The referee steps in and separates him. Shields with a kick to the body, then a jab. Henderson with a jab then just misses with an uppercut. Shields drops down and gets a single and takes Henderson down. Henderson quickly reverses, stands and lands 2 knees to the body from the clinch. Dominating Round for Henderson, and they trade at the bell. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 1 for Dan Henderson, 10-8.

Round 2 – Jab to start from Shields. Another jab, and Shields drops for the take down and Henderson locks up Shields and rolls to his back. He’s got Shields in a rear naked, but Shields turns in and reverses, now in Henderson’s full guard. Shields passes the guard of Henderson and gets full mount. Shields landing right hands from the top now as Henderson tries to turn. Shields maintains control and is posturing up looking for big shots from the top. Henderson scrambles and gets back to half guard but only for a moment. Shields back to full mount and Henderson rolls, but Shields flattens him back out.Right hand from Shields, now he’s mixing up his punches, with Henderson throwing the occasional punch from his back. Shields lands 5 or 6 big punches from the top and Henderson is scrambling to get away from the shots. Very high mount from Shields now with just under a minute to go in the round. Shields lands a flush elbow from mount. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 2 for Jake Shields, 10-9.

Round 3 – Shields with the jab to start Round 3 again. Lazy leg kick from Shields. Kick to the body from the champ. Henderson comes forward with 2 jabs. Shields shoots again and Henderson fights it off, scrambles, and gets back to his feet. Leg kick and jab from Shields. Shields lands a nice straight left hand, then shoots in and gets the takedown. Henderson locks up the body of Shields but is on his back now. Shields in the full guard of Henderson now. Shields working to pass the guard of Henderson, but manages only full guard. Take that back, he’s now in side control. Shields looking for the mount again but Henderson, uses his hips to avoid the full mount. Shields still in side control, looking to drop some shots, but Henderson pushes off and retains half guard. Hammer fists from Shields. The referee calls for action and Shields briefly goes for a guillotine from the top, then gets full mount again with :37 to go. High full mount now for Shields. Shields throwing enough punches to not get stood back up, then Henderson rolls and almost gets caught in an arm bar at the end of the round. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 3 for Jake Shields, 10-9.

Round 4 – Huge overhand right from Henderson. He follows up with a kick. Shields with a jab and Henderson counters with a left hand. Shields changes levels and shoots getting the takedown for the moment. Henderson throws him off and stands, but Shields goes right back for the single leg again. Henderson figure-fours Shields left arm sprawled out against the cage with Shields laying on him. Shields back on top, now in side control. Henderson trying to make it to his feet but Shields is smothering him. Shields back to full mount again with 2:30 to go in the 4th. Shields isolates Henderson’s left arm and is cranking on it from side mount. He lets go of the arm and Henderson gets back to half guard. Shields is going for the left arm of Henderson again, but it’s now free. Full mount again for Shields. Shields is throwing short right hands from full mount as Henderson currently has no answer for the ground game of Shields. To the body from Shields as the round closes. ProMMAnow.com scores Round 4 for Jake Shields, 10-9.

Round 5 – Both fighters exchange kicks to start. Jabs from Shields. Shields goes up top with a kick then lands a right hand. Henderson looking for the big shot with the right hand and gets taken down yet again. Shields is in side control now and then transitions to full mount. Elbow to the thigh from Henderson. Shields with 2 punches from the top, then alternates to the body with light strikes. Not much on the punches from the top from the Champion. Full mount again for Shields and now Shields is landing right hands and Henderson has no answer to the dominate position. Shields goes for the arm triangle but lets it go, then postures up and lands punches from the top. Henderson rolls, but gets flattened back out again. Looks like Shields is going to ride this one out from the top. Shields goes for an ankle just before the bell sounds. ProMMAnow.com scores the round for Jake Shields, 10-9, and the fight for Jake Shields, 48-46.

Jake Shields def. Dan Henderson via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45)

After the fight a brawl breaks out… looked like “Mayhem” was talking to Shields, then Melendez came in and some shoving started, with the Diaz brother getting involved. Thought I saw Nate throw a punch… Crazy!!

2 thoughts on ““Strikeforce: Nashville” live results and play-by-play”
  1. This was an amazing event. King Mo finally shut up the haters, Jake Shields proved once and for all he is a legit top fighter, and Melendez also proved himself to be a top lightweight. Fun card.

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