Before the show, the attention was on Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker and former WrestleMania headliner Bobby Lashley. After all, Strikeforce has only been a national promotion for a matter of months. Their top fighters are not exactly household names (yet) and this is the fight business, not the fight game. Someone needed to sell the fight to the skeptical public (a public that still believes the UFC is the only big-time MMA promotion) and a football player last relevant in 1990 and a muscle bound pro wrestler seemed as good a choice as any to attract attention.
After the fights were over Saturday night on Showtime no one was discussing the freak show and all eyes were on two of Strikeforce's legitimate superstars. Nick Diaz captued the Welterweight Title and wrecked international sensation Marius Zaromskis, but not before the Lithuanian striker nearly end Diaz' night with a straight right hand. Nick recovered nicely and the two had a round of action as fast and furious as any in the long history of MMA. Zaromskis might try ducking at some point in future fights. According to CompuStrike numbers, Diaz landed a staggering 95 out of 117 strikes in the round, using his long reach to pepper Zaromskis with punches before putting him down for good with a right cross that landed square on the temple.
As announcer Stephen Quadros predicted, the Melvin Manhoef-Robbie Lawler fight was a barn burner. Manhoef destroyed Lawler's legs with powerful kicks, often knocking his opponent's legs all the way up to his shoulders. It only took a single punch for Lawler to turn the tide, closing his eyes, praying, and then launching a hook that knocked the Duthcman out cold. The miracle knockout is fast becoming a Strikeforce staple, as Lawler's heroics followed an equally memorable last second fight saving KO by Scott Smith to derail the Cung Le express in December. After the fight, Lawler was limping around the cage.
Post-fight thoughs:
- I can't imagine a more awkward display of footwork than Herschel Walker's hilarious shuffle around the cage. Javier Mendes says the football star didn't know how to throw a punch when he came to the famous American Kickboxing Academy late last year. Not much has changed.
- Wes Sims was a lastest on Bobby Lashley's opponent merry-go-round. The UFC washout, Sims, didn't just look like he hadn't been training; he looked like he hadn't exercised in months. Sims didn't last long, despite a lackluster performance by Lashley. His tepid ground and pound was more reminiscent of Dan Severn than Brock Lesnar.
- Diaz continues to be the most exciting fighter in the sport. Add Diaz-Zaromskis to a list of classic fights that includes bouts with Lawler, Diego Sanchez, Karo Parisyan, and Takanori Gomi.
- I thought the stoppage in the Cyborg-Marloes Coenen fight for the Women's 145 pound title was a little premature. Coenen was scrambling for position and also blocking the punches as they came raining down. Watch it again and you'll see the bulk of Cyborg's blows were landing on Coenen's arms as she valiantly tried to stay in the fight.
And finally, the official maincard results:
Bobby Lashley defeated Wes Sims via TKO (strikes) at 2:06 of round 1
Robbie Lawler defeated Melvin Manhoef via KO at 3:33 of round 1
Herschel Walker defeated Greg Nagy via TKO at 2:17 of round 3
Cris Cyborg defeated Marloes Coenen via TKO (strikes) at 3:40 of round 3
Nick Diaz defeated Marius Zaromskis via TKO at 4:38 of round 1
