This is the biggest fight of Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos’ career and he can definitely win this fight against Nick Diaz. Although Cyborg has fought the likes of Gegard Mousasi, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Kazuhiro Nakamura, and Melvin Manhoef, none of his past fights have been more relevant than this bout with Nick Diaz. I think that “Cyborg” has a chance at catching just about anyone, although, I believe that Diaz is too hot right now for that to happen.
Diaz is on an eight fight win streak since his 2007 loss to K.J. Noons. Diaz will have an edge if the fight goes to the ground but I do not think he needs it to go to the ground to win. Nick Diaz has shown he can go toe-to-toe with great strikers like Robbie Lawler (also on this card) and K.J. Noons in the past. I see Diaz picking Santos apart with his precision striking throughout the fight. Cyborg will make it into the second round but he will be stopped via TKO by Nick Diaz. I do not see many Strikeforce 170-lb fighters that can beat the Nick Diaz we have seen the past three years. Please take a look at the ongoing prediction battle between me and Toledo MMA Examiner, Brian Hemminger. Feel free to comment and let us know what you think.
I always let local MMA personalities weigh-in on the big events for a balanced view. Take a look at these picks from Kentucky fighters and promoters:
Absolute Action MMA promoter, Parag Patel: Cyborg, TKO, 3rd round.
Second2None Cage Fights Flyweight Champ, Brandon Cothern: Diaz is going to win for sure. Cyborg is not ready, Nick is too much for him.
Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority MMA Judge, Rob "Turtle" Whitson: I am going with Cyborg. That being said, I am a huge Diaz fan. I say Cyborg by KO in the 2nd.
Take a look at my preview of Robbie Lawler vs Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza
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