Strikeforce will be breaking in the New Year with a stacked card in what might be the final event for the organization. The event happens this Saturday, January 12th with the main card starting at 10pm on Showtime. This event will be hosted by Oklahoma City at the Chesapeake Energy Arena giving the people of Oklahoma the best view of the Welterweight Championship match between ex UFC fighter Nate Marquardt and talented prospect Tarec Saffiedine. Enjoy the fight predictions and Strikeforce card.
Preliminary Card: 5-1-0
155lbs – Michael Bravo (7-3) vs. Estevan Payan (13-3) – Payan via decision Correct
155lbs – Jorge Gurgel (14-8) vs. Adriano Martins (23-6) – Martins via TKO Correct
155lbs – Ryan Couture (5-1) vs. K.J. Noons (11-5) – Couture via decision Correct plus method
185lbs – Tim Kennedy (14-4) vs. Trevor Smith (10-2) – Kennedy via decision Correct
185lbs – Roger Gracie (5-1) vs. Anthony Smith (17-8) – Smith via TKO Wrong - Gracie won via submission
155lbs – Pat Healy (28-16) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (9-0) – Healy via decision Correct plus method
Main Card: 4-1-0 Total MMA Predictions: 48-34-0 = 59%
Catchweight 194lbs – Ed Herman (20-8-1) vs. Ronaldo Souza (16-3-1) – Souza via decision
Herman is making his Strikeforce debut since being cut from the UFC, while Souza will be looking to continue his strong run at Middleweight. Both Herman and Souza have black belts in BJJ, but it will be Souza who has the advantage on the ground. Herman has good technical striking with some power but he lacks the same speed as Souza, and Souza has solid striking defense. Souza has fought some of the toughest fighters in the world and has been able to implement his game plan on almost everyone. Herman will be to slow on the feet for Souza and even if he starts to get the better of Souza he won’t be able to stuff the takedown attempts. Herman has 5 out of 8 career losses via submission which means Souza has a good chance of getting the finish, but even if it goes to the judges this fight should be an easy win for Souza. Correct
205lbs – Gegard Mousasi (32-3-2) vs. Mike Kyle (19-8-1) – Mousasi via TKO
Kyle is a big power puncher with a lot of heart, but Mousasi is a much better striker with almost the same amount of power and a much better chin. Kyle is known for overpowering his opponents, but he won’t be able to bully Mousasi around on the feet or on the ground. Kyle is aware of the quick submission attempts of Mousasi, so he’ll most likely try out his luck on the feet where he is most comfortable. Kyle will come out ready to fight but Mousasi will catch him with a punch or a knee and finish him off with either strikes or a submission. Correct
265lbs – Josh Barnett (31-6) vs. Nandor Guelmino (11-3-1) – Barnett via decision
Guelmino is a bit of an unknown fighter out of Austria, but he’s on a 7 fight win streak and back in 2008 he fought Semmy Schilt and did very well gaining mount before losing via TKO in round 1. Barnett is one of the most experienced Heavyweights in the world of MMA on the feet and on the ground. Barnett has fought some very tough strikers and BJJ black belts coming out on top the majority of the time. Barnett has only lost to Pedro Rizzo, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Daniel Cormier and Cro Cop 3 times, but he was able to avenge his loss to Rizzo and defeated Nogueira in their first match. Guelmino is good on his feet and on the ground, but Barnett is much tougher and he should be able to stay out of submissions for an easy decision victory. Correct
265lbs – Daniel Cormier (10-0) vs. Dion Staring (28-7) – Cormier via TKO
Staring will be a very tough test for Cormier as he not only poses a threat on the feet but Staring has also shown a great submission game during his 6 fight win streak. This fight will be no different for Cormier as the Olympic wrestler always seems to have the same game plan of pushing forward with strikes and takedowns then unloading some serious ground and pound. On the feet Staring will be looking to circle Cormier and not allow an easy takedown, but Cormier will be able to get his takedowns and once Staring gets tired Cormier will go hard for the TKO finish. Correct plus method
170lbs – Nate Marquardt (32-10-2) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (13-3) – Marquardt via decision
Marquardt really wants back in the UFC and he put on a show against Tyron Woodley in his last fight to prove it. Saffiedine also fought Woodley back in 2011 but lost via unanimous decision which tells us where these fighters stand. Saffiedine does have great punches, kicks, takedown defense, grappling and submissions but Marquardt has the same skills and then some plus a ton more power. Marquardt will have an advantage wherever the fight goes, but he’ll still have to be careful as Saffiedine will be looking to get the KO or a quick submission of his own. Saffiedine has never been finished and it doesn’t seem to be by luck, so Marquardt will most likely have to impress the judges in order to win. Marquardt did KO an undefeated Tyron Woodley, but Woodley was exhausted and Saffiedine seems to have great cardio. Wrong - Saffiedine won via unanimous decision
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