Celebrating the 4th, MMA Style

Looking at the famous 4s in MMA history…

UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors
	UFC 4 was an 8-man tourney back in 1994. No weight classes or weight limits. No time limits, rounds or judges. Royce Gracie beat Dan Severn with a triangle choke to win the tourney. Gracie had to get by local fighter Keith Hackney (Hackney’s Combat Academy) in the semis to get to Severn.
WEC 4: Rumble Under the Sun
	WEC 4 took place in Connecticut in 2002. Jeremy Horn won the main event by subbing Aaron Brink in the 1st round. Kurt Pellegrino (pictured) beat Mac Danzig for the WEC Lightweight Title. Mike Swick won in just his 3rd professional fight, as did local fighter Jeff Curran, who beat Bao Quach by decision.
Pride FC 4
	Pride FC 4 was held back in 1998 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. “The Smashing Machine” Mark Kerr remained undefeated with his 10th straight win, a TKO of Hugo Duarte. Marco Ruas’ corner threw in the towel in his bout, giving Alexander Otsuka his first professional win. Igor Vovchanchyn KO’d Gary Goodridge, and Rickson Gracie beat Nobuhiko Takada by an armbar near the end of the first round.
King of the Cage 4: Gladiators
	King of the Cage 4: Gladiators was held in June of 2000. Co-creator of KOTC Tedd Williams won via keylock in round 1. Marvin Eastman defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson by unanimous decision. Duane “Bang” Ludwig beat up Shad Smith, whose corner called it quits for him in round 1. And the late Jeremy Williams needed less than one minute to win by armbar.
Strikeforce: Triple Threat
	Triple Threat was the fourth MMA event held by Strikeforce. Gina Carano beat Elaina Maxwell for her 3rd straight win as a pro. Ruben Villareal’s corner stopped his fight against Paul Buentello in round 2. Cung Le beat Jason Von Flue by TKO after a huge knee opened up a gash over Von Flue’s left eye. Bobby Southworth won the Strikeforce LHW belt by beating Vernon White via unanimous decision.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Predictions

by Tim Stroud

The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix will continue Saturday at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, TX. The Grand Prix will pair two more quarterfinal match-ups with Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum and Brett Rogers vs. Josh Barnett.

In the first two quarterfinal fights, we saw Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva defeated Fedor Emelianenko by TKO (doctor stoppage) and Sergei Kharitonov beat Andrei Arlovski by KO to advance to the next round. If the fights on Saturday are anything like these two, we are in for a treat.

In the first two fights, Strikeforce decided to have a fourth judge on hand in case a fight ended in a draw. Since then, Zuffa, LLC purchased Strikeforce and decided to make a change. If either of the two quarterfinal fights ends in a draw, then there will be a sudden death round to find the winner. I think that this is a huge improvement because the fighters will get another opportunity to win and not leave it up to a fourth judge.

Here are my predictions for all five main card fights.

Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum

Overeem and Werdum have fought once before. They met each other at the Pride 2006 Openweight Grand Prix. Werdum took the victory by submission (Kimura) in the second round. Werdum is currently on a four fight win streak and he’s coming off the biggest win of his career, when he defeated Fedor Emelianenko on June 26, 2010. However, Overeem has won 9 of 10 (one no-contest) and is the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion. Werdum has a chance if this fight goes to the ground, but I see Overeem using his superior striking to win and advance to the next round.

Pick – Alistair Overeem

Brett Rogers vs. Josh Barnett

Rogers is coming off a rough stretch where he has only won once in his last three fights. Barnett has an impressive 26-5 record, but his biggest knock is that he has tested positive for anabolic steroids three times. Rogers can KO anyone at any time and Barnett likes to take guys down and get a submission, but he also has some power in his punches. If Rogers can stay on his feet, then he has a great shot at landing the knock-out shot, but I don’t see it happening. Barnett will use his experience and skills to take this fight to the ground and make Rogers tap.

Pick – Josh Barnett

KJ Noons vs. Jorge Masvidal

Noons and Masvidal is an intriguing match-up. They both rely on their boxing skills, but in different ways. Noons loves to throw the leather and get after his opponent, while Masvidal is more of a counter striker. Noons is coming off a tough decision loss to Nick Diaz, while Masvidal is coming off of a decision win. I see this fight staying on the feet and Noons will stop Masvidal for the win, and possible title opportunity.

Pick – KJ Noons

Daniel Cormier vs. Jeff Monson

Here we have a battle of ground specialists. The undefeated Cormier and Monson are both wrestlers, but Monson is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Monson has a wealth of experience and has faced a lot of top fighters in MMA. This will be Cormier’s eighth fight and he hasn’t faced anyone as talented as Monson. With that said, I think Cormier uses his superior wrestling to take the veteran down and win a decision. This will be Cormier’s biggest win to date.

Pick – Daniel Cormier

Valentijn Overeem vs. Chad Griggs

Overeem, the less talented brother of Alistair, has a ton of experience, but just a 29-25 record. Overeem can strike and submit, but he is not great at either. Griggs, best known for defeating pro wrestler Bobby Lashley, is a no nonsense fighter. Griggs throws a lot of punches and he doesn’t back down. I see Griggs going right at Overeem and getting a KO or TKO in the first or second round.

Pick – Chad Griggs

Tim Stroud is a Kentucky-based writer. Follow him on Twitter @TheEntityMMA

RYAN COUTURE, STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS ON JUNE 24

Ryan Couture may have initially been noticed due to his famous dad and surname. But anyone who saw him battle Lee Higgins in February knows that he is a legit fighter. He’ll enter the cage again on June 24th, when Strikeforce Challengers takes in place in Washington.

In the main event lightweight Caros “The Future” Fodor (8-2) of nearby Kirkland, Wash. defends his home turf when he meets the hard-hitting James Terry (10-2), a protégé of middleweight star Cung Le.

The night’s co-feature is equally explosive, as Woodinville’s Ryan Couture (2-0), the son of UFC^® Hall of Famer Randy Couture, looks for his third straight victory when he battles undefeated Matt Ricehouse (4-0).

STRIKEFORCE Challengers also features Lorenz “The Monsoon” Larkin (10-0) taking on Gian Villante (7-2) at light heavyweight, a middleweight bout between Antwain Britt (11-5) and UFC^® veteran Danillo Villefort, as well as a women’s 145-pound contest between Julia Budd (1-1) and Germaine de Randamie (2-1).

“Washington has become a hotbed for mixed martial arts and we’re excited to head back to Kent with this exciting card featuring local stars Caros Fodor and Ryan Couture,” STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker said. “Our Challengers events have delivered some outstanding fights and we expect nothing less on June 24.”

Caros Fodor (fighting out of Kirkland, Wash.), a 27-year-old former Marine, has won three straight STRIKEFORCE bouts, including a third-round TKO of David Douglas in April. Now, the grappling ace seeks his ninth professional win when he meets James Terry (fighting out of Livermore, Calif.) at ShoWare Center. A training partner of former middleweight champion Cung Le, the 30-year-old Terry is riding a three-fight win streak of his own. He would like nothing more than to spoil Fodor’s homecoming by scoring a knockout victory on June 24.

Ryan Couture (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.), the son of UFC pioneer Randy Couture, returns to his native Washington with hopes of carrying on his legendary family name. Two straight submission wins have kicked off Couture’s career, and now the 28-year-old faces the toughest test of his career when he locks horns with up-and-comer Matt Ricehouse (fighting out of St. Charles, Mo.) in 155-pound action.

Perhaps no fighter heads to Kent with as much momentum as undefeated light heavyweight Lorenz Larkin (fighting out of Riverside, Calif.) The 24-year-old Larkin has finished eight of 10 opponents, including a knockout of Scott Lighty in his STRIKEFORCE debut in April. “The Monsoon” hopes to keep his streak alive when he enters the cage against 25-year-old Gian Villante (fighting out of Bellmore, N.Y.), whose seven victories have all come by way of stoppage.

Former UFC competitor Danillo Villefort (fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) makes his STRIKEFORCE debut on June 24 in search of his fifth consecutive victory. The American Top Team product, known for his slick submissions and heavy hands, expects a war when he meets knockout artist Antwain Britt (fighting out of Virginia Beach, Va.). The 33-year-old Britt has 11 victories, nine of which have come by knockout, and looks to fuel a run in the 185-pound division by besting Villefort.

An outstanding women’s 145-pound content pits Julia Budd (fighting out of Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada) against Germaine de Randamie (fighting out of Utrecht, The Netherlands). Nicknamed “The Jewel,” Budd is a devastating kickboxer with the ability to finish any and all opponents. Her bout with de Randamie could be a slugfest, as “The Iron Lady” has won two straight fights, including a brutal knockout over Stephanie Webber in January.

FEDOR VS. HENDO: JULY 30 IN CHICAGO

Jonathan Snowden tweeted and ESPN reporter Josh Gross confirmed that Dan Henderson will fight Fedor Emelianenko on July 30th at the Sears Centre in suburban Chicago, Illinois.

Strikeforce and Fedor came to that venue in November of 2009, and it is the scene of Fedor’s last win. He defeated Brett Rogers by TKO in round 2. Rogers was undefeated at the time.

Reports vary on what the weight limit will be for the fight. Some have reported that it will take place at heavyweight, or a catch weight of 220 but billed as a heavyweight bout.

Henderson recently won the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title by defeating Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante in March.

 

STRIKEFORCE ANNOUNCES JUNE 18 CARD

Four of the sport’s most talented heavyweights are set to collide when STRIKEFORCE^® heads to American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, June 18 for the quarterfinals of its Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament.

Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem (34-11, 1 NC) squares off against Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) in the highly-anticipated main event, while former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett (29-5) will battle heavy-handed knockout artist Brett “The Grim” Rogers (11-2).

Two additional, non-tournament heavyweight clashes are also scheduled for the card, as former U.S. Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier (7-0) will face fellow undefeated budding star Shane Del Rosario (11-0) and Valentijn Overeem (29-25), the elder brother of Alistair, will take on streaking Chad Griggs (10-1).

Plus, women’s mixed martial arts superstar Gina Carano (7-1) returns to action with her sights set on taking the STRIKEFORCE championship.

“We are really excited to head to Dallas with two outstanding quarterfinal heavyweight Grand Prix fights,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. “With Overeem vs. Werdum, Rogers vs. Barnett, as well as the return of Gina Carano, STRIKEFORCE is bringing one of its best cards ever to American Airlines Center.

The main event between 30-year-old Alistair Overeem (fighting out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and the 33-year-old Fabricio Werdum (fighting out of Porto Alegre, Brazil) pits the two superstars against one another nearly five years after Werdum submitted Overeem on a PRIDE^® Fighting Championship card at Osaka Dome in Osaka, Japan on May 5, 2006.

Since their initial encounter, the 6-foot-5, 260 pound Overeem has become the first fighter in history to simultaneously hold both a major mixed martial arts (STRIKEFORCE) title and a K-1 Heavyweight Grand Prix championship. Meanwhile, Werdum has wreaked havoc on the heavyweight division, including his submission over Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko in June, which was considered 2010 Upset of the Year.

Josh Barnett (fighting out of Seattle, Wash.) is a former UFC heavyweight champion who owns victories over the likes of Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Pedro Rizzo and Gilbert Yvel. The 33-year-old heads to Dallas with hopes of derailing his opponent and advancing in the Grand Prix. To do so, he must defeat the heavy-handed Brett Rogers (fighting out of St. Paul, Minn). The 6-foot-5 powerhouse reeled off 10 straight wins to start his professional career and holds knockout victories over the likes of former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski and PRIDE vet James Thompson.

A former Division I All-American at Oklahoma State University Daniel Cormier (fighting out of San Jose, Calif.) is unbeaten in seven fights. Training alongside the likes of UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and welterweight stars Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck, Cormier’s blend of wrestling and power could pose problems for his opponent in Texas. With an unblemished record in 11 professional bouts, Shane Del Rosario (fighting out of Irvine, Calif.) remains unfazed by the hype surrounding his opponent. Coming off an impressive submission win over Lavar Johnson in February, the 27-year-old Del Rosario has finished every fight and expects nothing less when he meets Cormier on June 18.

A seasoned veteran riding a three-fight winning streak, Valentijn Overeem (fighting out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) believes a win on June 18 could propel him into contention in the STRIKEFORCE heavyweight division. Thus, expect fireworks when he meets free-swinging Chad Griggs (fighting out of Tucson, Ariz.), who has won five straight, including a stoppage of Bobby Lashley.

This loaded event also marks the return of former STRIKEFORCE title contender Gina Carano (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.), who will take on an opponent to be announced in the weeks to come. The fierce striker, who turns 29 this Saturday, will train for this fight under the tutelage of renowned coach Greg Jackson, who has trained elite athletes such as UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. A rising star in the acting world, Carano is eager to get back to her first love and impress in her first bout since Aug. 2009.

NICK DIAZ VS. PAUL DALEY PREVIEW VIDEO

“Nick Diaz and Paul Daley: Beyond Trash Talk” takes a look at the upcoming battle between the two welterweights. The event airs this Saturday on Showtime.

KILLER FINISHES: SHANE DEL ROSARIO’S OMOPLATA

The talented Shane Del Rosario is an undefeated Strikeforce fighter that has won 11 times in his career, with 10 of the wins ending in the very first round. Del Rosario recently beat Lavar Johnson at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva, in what was initially the Grand Prix reserve bout. Though Del Rosario won, Fedor was awarded the reserve spot in the Grand Prix after his loss to Big Foot Silva.

Here is an amazing comeback and a “Killer Finish” by Del Rosario from his 2009 fight against Brandon Cash.

ZUFFA BUYS STRIKEFORCE

Zuffa has scooped up another MMA promotion, this time purchasing its main competitor, Strikeforce. Dana White sat down with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani to talk about the huge news, and go through some of the details as to how this will all play out.

GILBERT MELENDEZ EL NINO FDM SHIRT

It’s about time that Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez gets his own shirt. We think he’s still one of the most underrated fighters in all of MMA. It’s good he’s getting some props!

JORGE MASVIDAL WANTS STRIKEFORCE TITLE SHOT

Jorge Masvidal made his MMA debut as a raw 19-year-old back in 2003. You have probably seen him fight, even if it wasn’t in the cage.

Masvidal made a name for himself fighting on the streets in Miami, taking on Kimbo Slice protégé “Ray” in a YouTube video that has garnered nearly three-quarters of a million views.

The name “GameBred” comes from his love of pitbulls, which are loyal and fierce. Masvidal feels his calling in life is to be a pitbull inside the ring, respecting the game but making sure that his opponents don’t want to face him again.

The Cuban American grew up on the mean streets of Miami, and fighting was a way of life. But Masvidal has done something that many of the other kids fighting on the streets would have never dreamed: he parlayed it into a career as a professional prize fighter, becoming a world-traveled and acclaimed fighter at just 26 years of age.

“I accept the notoriety my street fighting wins have brought me in my professional career but I’m even more thankful I’ve been able to prove myself in the professional cage in a way many other street fighters have failed to do,” said Masvidal.

The other fighting clip that has brought him notoriety is his Bellator fight with Toby Imada. Imada submitted Masvidal with an inverted triangle choke, a very rare submission that received a huge amount of national attention, and helped put Bellator on the MMA map. That YouTube video is also near one million views.

Besides Imada, “GameBred” has faced a whole host of notable fighters, making his 20-6 professional record even more impressive. One of his biggest early career wins was a victory over top prospect Joe Lauzon, who was 8-0 at the time. Masvidal has also earned victories over current American Top Team teammate and UFC fighter Yves Edwards, former IFL lightweight champion Ryan Schultz, and former Sengoku lightweight champion Satoru Kitaoka.

His matchup with undefeated prospect Billy Evangelista at “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson” marks his return to Strikeforce for the first time since 2008, and he plans to keep his 2-0 Strikeforce record intact.

“Masvidal knows what it takes to be champion and I believe the world will be surprised by how quickly he proves that in Strikeforce. He knows what takes to win. He’s a dedicated fighter with a passion for fighting that combines natural raw talent and heart,” commented his manager, Tina Vidal.

His passion for fighting has kept him active and he is always willing to fight. A fact he proved, when the natural 155er took a two-week notice fight at 170 with Paul Daley at Shark Fights in September 2010.

As for his prior losses GameBred stays true to form. “I’ll fight any of the guys who ‘beat’ me again. I’ll fight them for free just to prove that I’m the best,” said Masvidal.

One thing that has eluded Masvidal in his career is a world championship and he has his sights set on 155-pound gold in his new Strikeforce home.

“I’m going to rise to the top spot in Strikeforce. While I have a lot of respect for the fighters above me there, I’m going to clean house and I don’t care who I have to go through to get there,” Masvidal said of his Strikeforce plans shortly after signing with the organization.

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