Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg Live Play By Play
Just a heads up as I do the live play by play of this show. The internet is a bit slow here so the updates might not be as frequent as I want them to be. But I’ll do my best.
1. Alexander Trevino vs. Isaiah Hall
Trevino submitted him in the first round. I was trying to get wireless set up in the building and didn’t get to watch it closely, but it looked like a fun fight.
Winner: Alexander Trevino
2. Zac Bucia vs. James Terry
Terry is coming out to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal which makes him an immediate favorite in the building. Ok, maybe it was because he was announced from San Jose rather than walking out to MJ.
After avoiding a few high kicks from Bucia, Terry threw one of his own that sent Bucia down. Terry followed him to the ground with rapid punches and it was deemed over by Big John McCarthy.
Winner: James Terry by way of 1st round TKO
3. Justin Wilcox vs. David Douglas
Douglas’ nickname is “Tarzan”. I was hoping he was coming out in a loincloth. Ok, I didn’t really hope that.
Tarzan came out swinging and was nailing Wilcox before he got tired. Wilcox took him down and stayed on top of him.
Tarzan came out swinging again, missed, was taken down and passed very quickly. Wilcox had the mount for a lot of the round, but couldn’t really do anything from there.
Wilcox was finally able to do something as he was in mount again very easily and sunk in a rear naked choke for the win.
Winner: Justin Wilcox by 3rd round submission
4. Mike Cook vs. Scott Lightly
Scott Lightly was just too much for him on the feet. He was smart in his strikes getting in and getting out to set up the bigger shots and he just started to unload and Cook just crumpled against the cage.
Winner: Scott Lightly by way of 1st round TKO
There are major internet issues in the building. I will be doing most of the updating by phone. I will post the results of the earlier fights when the issues are resolved.
5. Jesse Taylor vs. Jay Hieron
Really boring first round. Taylor tried to wrestle him, but was he who was on his back for most of the round. The crowd popped when they were stood back up.
Taylor got the takedown, but Hieron turned him over and immediately got the mount. He sunk in the rear naked choke, but let it go. They were stood up twice and the crowd is a little restless with all the wrestling.
Another boring round. Taylor wanted to shoot, but he couldn’t take him down. He tried pulling guard but they were stood up. Taylor looked exhausted.
Winner: Jay Hieron by way of unanimous decision
Jimmy Lennon Jr. Is out so we must be ready for the live card.
The crowd is definitely into Gina. Cyborg is getting booed.
6. Mike Kyle vs. Fabricio Werdum
It was fun for the time being. Kyle caught Werdum’s foot and looked to be loading up on a big right hand. But with the foot Kyle was holding, Werdum kicked him right in the chest. It went to the ground, Werdum sunk a guillotine and it was over.
Winner: Fabricio Werdum by way of 1st round submission.
7. Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Gilbert Melendez
San Jose booed the Japanese man! I was insulted. It was if he was going to throw salt at Melendez when the ref wasn’t looking. San Jose loved them some Gilbert.
The crowd is going to boo any non-action it seems. Both guys seem a little tentative, but they are going all out when they decide to exchange. They traded takedowns. Gilbert seems to be much stronger.
Melendez is throwing some vicious body shots. He won round two handily by pushing him around and unloading when he has the chance.
Great third round for Melendez. As they both went into the cage, it looked like they banged heads. Melendez ended up on top and went for the rear naked choke about 4 times, looking like he’d get it each time. Ishida covered up and Melendez was throwing shot after shot before it was stopped. Melendez looked great.
Winner: Gilbert Melendez by way of third round TKO
8. Gegard Mousasi vs. Renato “Babalu” Sobral
Mousasi destroyed Babalu. They opened up with kicks as if they had the same idea to start. Mousasi got Babalu down and just started to let his hands go on the ground and Babalu went limp for a second and it was over. Once Mousasi saw him go limp, he stopped punching.
San Jose might not have known Mousasi coming in, but they know him going out.
Winner: Gegard Mousasi by 1st round TKO
Paid attendance is 13,524.
It’s main event time.
9. Cris Cyborg vs. Gina Carano
Huge ovation for Carano. Cyborg came out swinging it it looked like she was going to be too much Carano. But Gina kept coming back. She was able to keep Cyborg off and get her guard back up. They ended up on the ground and Cyborg went for a heel hook. Carano got out and they were on their feet again. Carano was looking to land one shot and cover up but Cyborg wouldn’t quit. They went down to the mat again and Cyborg started to rain down punches and it was stopped right at the bell to end the round.
Winner: Cris Cyborg by way of 1st round TKO
Mousasi. Holy crap. Start the countdown until he is in the UFC.
Cyborg is a dude!
Seriously, it would have been exciting to see Carano beat Cyborg; but, it would have been a fluke. The strength advantage Cyborg enjoys is just too much. If everything else is equal, always bet on the ugly guy. If the ugly guy is bigger, bet a lot. LOL (I wonder who pisses for her at drug screens.)
Mousasi is scary. M-1 and Strikeforce are holding him down. He should be in the UFC. Joe Silva says his management never even entered into negotiations, and the UFC didn’t make an offer. He said they would have picked up his contract from Affliction without change. I’d like to see him in the UFC mix at LHW. His manager screwed him.
I think Mousasi would fit in better at 185 if he came to the UFC.
185 would be fine with me.
I don’t think it’s necessarily her strength as much as it’s her ferocity and constant pressure. I would bet that on a pure strength vs. strength, that she isn’t that much stronger, but add to it her ferocity and the fact that Gina couldn’t keep her off, that’s what makes her so good.
I think her ferocity is a bi-product of her superior strength. The confidence she has in herself is what makes her so aggressive. Had Gina been able to land a few more good punches, she may have been able to take her out of her game. Cyborg did not like being hit.
I don’t think it was a completely one sided fight, but the power of Cyborg was the determining factor. Carano is usually able to handle aggressive strikers and keep distance with the front kick.
I like Randy Couture, but I don’t think Carano is trained up to her potential, or that her style of fight matches up well with Cyborg’s. She doesn’t improve from fight to fight. (Not markedly.) She needs to get serious, and get into a situation where she improves her game.
I have no idea who is going to fight Cyborg now. Gina losing is a hard shot for Strikeforce. Carano can draw no matter who is fighting her. I don’t think Cyborg can, unless they find someone who is as big, mean, and dangerous to put in front of her. Even then, she’s not the draw Gina is. They may have to go co-ed to get people in the seats. Maybe she could fight Miguel Torres. That would be interesting. (Just kidding. Though it would draw.)
I’m not sure that Cyborg can’t draw. When you beat the star, you can become a star. I think San Jose reacted to her very well last night. Hopefully that transitions into something. But yah, I feel the same way. I hope this isn’t the apex for women’s MMA in Strikeforce. I hope it still grows.
Set up a rematch.
I think they’ll build to a rematch. They can’t risk Gina losing so quickly without building it up as more important than the first fight.
I’m more curious to see what is next for Mousasi.
Coker said his next title defense would more than likely be against a Dream guy.
Saw it is Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Dream 11.
I don’t think that’s a defense is it? Isn’t it just the extension of the Super Hulk tournament?
Correct. I just saw its his next match. Not sure when he will defend again.