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Strikeforce Motto: It's Free!

We take a closer look at the fighters compiling this weekend's Strikeforce card.


Still have a bad taste in your mouth after Anderson Silva's bizarre snoozefest last weekend at UFC 112?  Let Strikefest wash it away.  The world's second largest MMA promotion has a megashow this weekend in Nashville, free to all with a working television.  Need a primer on the top fighters on the show?  We live to serve.

Dan Henderson
Credit: UFC

Dan Henderson

Dan Henderson is a MMA legend.  He was once the Pride champion at 185 pounds and 205 pounds.  At the same time! Henderson is both an Olympian and an enraged hillbilly. He's also a UFC veteran who had some advice for his opponent Jake Shields on negotiating with Zuffa.

""Always get it in writing.  Dana's famous last words: 'Don't worry bro, we'll take care of you.'"

Jake Shields
Credit: MTV

Jake Shields

Jake Shields has a reputation as a boring fighter.  That's probably unfair.  He's actually finished eight of his last ten fights.  But you're only as good as your last performance, and Shield's last fight was a horrifically boring, channel changing battle with Jason Miller. Most expect he's UFC bound and he'd like to go with a win over Henderson.

"If I go out there and knock Dan Henderson out, of course I'm going to get paid. I don't want to go out there and look bad in the last fight on my contract."

Gegard Mousasi
Credit: Strikeforce

Gegard Mousasi

Gegard Mousasi is widely considered one of the top prospects in the sport.  He has all the ability in the world, but it hasn't been tested in the cage. How will he deal with a world class wrestler in "King" Mo Lawal? Physically, it remains to be seen.  Emotionally, the trash talking Mo is murdering him.

"I don't like King Mo as a person. He is arrogant and cocky. I respect him a fighter like I would any fighter who enters the cage, but I've never faced anyone who talks as much as he does. At the beginning, I would take what he said as personal, but not anymore."

King Mo Lawal
Credit: Sengoku

King Mo

I love "King" Mo Lawal.  He's funny, profane, and never at a loss for words. By the way, he's also a pretty darn good fighter. Mo is potentially a future world champion. Will Mousasi be a stepping stone on his way to riches and glory? Will the referee earn his stipend? It seems so.

"I'm working on how to do fouls the referee can't see. Low blows.  Elbow strikes from the top all that...the referee better have his eyes open."

See More: MMA | Strikeforce | Dan Henderson | Jake Shields | Nick Diaz | Shinya Aoki