Preview: Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva

I can’t believe it’s almost time that we get to see Fedor Emelianenko in action again. His last fight was a surprising fight for all and a disappointment for many, as “The Last Emperor” was tapped out via a triangle choke by Fabricio Verdum. Now we get to see how Fedor comes back from his first real loss in his eleven year fighting career. This fight also marks the first round of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix, which in my opinion, barring any weird slip-ups, will crown the number one fighter at this weight class in the world.

Fedor’s opponent, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva,  is a great fighter and has hands as big as his monster jaw. Although I do like Silva, I would like to see this giant fall via a right hand from Fedor or, even more preferably, a stunning armlock.

Sherdog has a great breakdown of the whole card including this match up. In addition, Bloody Elbow has a good list of predictions from their staff on the whole card.

The only thing I can predict about tomorrow night is that I’m going to be sitting in a sports bar in Albuquerque, eating food that’s too expensive for the quality, and not giving a crap because my eyes will be glued to what I hope is a great night of fights.

Preview videos to get you pumped after the jump. Read more »

Hooray for Women’s MMA

In anticipation for the upcoming duo of women’s tourneys taking place at Bellator 24 (August 12th) and Strikeforce Challengers 10 (August 13th), we were scouting about for some highlights. The following video shows a collection of some of the best KO’s and subs. Enjoy!

Edit: Unfortunately the original posted video is no longer available, so here is another homage to women’s MMA.

Fedor vs. Werdum is Official for June 26th

After weeks, even months, of speculation and talk between M1 Global and Strikeforce, we have heard the good news from Sherdog and Bloody Elbow that Fedor vs. Werdum is on for June 26th. The event will be cosponsored by said promotions and aired live on Showtime.

Let the hype, analysis, predictions… and the wait continue.

Another Disappointment, Another Haiku

the river stops now

Shinya’s homeland colonized

small crowd in silence

Like a bad dream in a bad movie, the flashbacks and distorted voices begin.

If I lose this fight, MMA in Japan is over. Japan will become a colony of the USA.

- Shinya Aoki

. . .

If DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki is indeed the class of Japanese mixed martial arts, then there’s no longer any doubt where the world’s best fighters reside.

- MMAjunkie.com

. . .

melendez winning. come on aoki you fuck!!

Aoki you break my heart

- Michael Schiavello

. . .

It was an embarrassing defeat that didn’t do the lagging Japanese scene any favors. Had plenty of opportunities to get his game off, but was stifled by a superior fighter in every facet of the game.

- Sherdog

So, is this is what it’s like to know that there is not one Japanese fighter in the whole world who could be argued to be ranked number one in any weight class? To know that the best last hope for man… I mean, salary man-kind, gets owned for 5 rounds and leaves the cage crying wearing a horrible TapouT shirt and shorts?! Read more »

Strikeforce Nashville: All Eyes on Aoki

To me, the most interesting of the  three championship fights on the card for Strikeforce Nashville, which airs April 17th  live on CBS, is the lightweight championship match between Shinya Aoki and Gilbert Melendez.

Here is a short list of the major reasons why I’m very interested in how this fight plays out and why I’m cheering for Aoki:

• The top ranked BJ Penn lost recently and this puts Aoki on the path to be ranked number one at lightweight worldwide.
• Aoki is the only Japanese champion in the major leagues of MMA, and a loss could be a permanent dent in world opinion regarding  Japan’s place as a source for talent. Also, the last time Dream fighters fought Strikeforce fighters, the results were not in Dream’s favor.
• Aoki isn’t wearing his cool pants!
• Aoki has never been better then he is right now, and that cannot be said for many talented fighters from Japan when they make their way stateside. He broke Hirota’s arm his last fight!
• I almost always cheer for the grappler. There is nothing I like better than slick submissions.

For these reasons, and probably many more, I’m excited and nervous about this fight. What makes it worse is the fact I think Aoki is going to lose this fight. He is going against a powerful striker and wrestler who trains with some amazing BJJ specialists, the Diaz brothers (long and flexible like Aoki) and Jake Shields at Cesar Gracie’s school. Aoki is also going to be in a cage for the very first time, and that is always a wild card. Even Fedor got stuck against it in his first cage fight. The rounds are different as well compared to Dream. The fight could be 25 minutes long, but there won’t be the long 10 minute first round that they have in Japan that gives people like Aoki time to work submissions.

Final prediction: I foresee Shinya Aoki getting knocked out, his face looking off into the distance as he is punched again and again from a relentless ground and pound. The referee will stop it, and Melendez will still be the champion.

I will be pissed off if this happens. So although my head tells me I shouldn’t just get my hopes up and subsequently crushed by cheering and hoping for Aoki, I will go with my heart and believe in the power of submission grappling and the Japanese fighting spirit.

Fedor vs. Rogers Set for CBS! Plus, TUF 10 Debuts

Mark your calendars! It looks like come November 7th Fedor and Strikeforce will make their network TV debut on CBS. According to MMAJunkie.com, the deal was announced today, but it is yet to be determined where the event will be held and what other bouts will be on the official card alongside Fedor vs. Rogers.

The return to prime time network TV is pretty huge for MMA in general, and we can only hope that Strikeforce can capitalize on the opportunity and succeed where the EliteXC failed previously. Strikeforce has already had success with recent events broadcast on Showtime, and I hope they can keep the ball rolling. They’ve certainly been dealt a good hand with Fedor on board, so it’s not too surprising that they’re playing him out on a broader stage. I can’t wait to see what happens. Read more »