This is the second Strikeforce show under the Zuffa banner, but the first main show. Dana White is there as you can tell by the photo with he, Lorenzo, and Scott Coker. This would’ve been pretty unreal just a few months ago.
Looks like we’re starting with Lyle Beerbohm vs. Shinya Aoki.
1. Lyle Beerbohm vs. Shinya Aoki
Aoki got an early takedown and immediately got his back and sunk in a rear naked choke. He was also cranking his neck at the same time.
Winner: Shinya Aoki by way of 1st round submission
2. Keith Jardine vs. Gegard Mousasi
Jardine looked good early on as he was keeping pressure on Mousasi and even scored a takedown. Mousasi started to get inside and was getting the better of the exchanges. Jardine looked in trouble, but scored a takedown. Mousasi had an illegal upkick as Jardine wasn’t upright. A point was taken away from Mousasi. Even with the two takedowns, I’d have to give the round to Mousasi because his striking did damage to Jardine. Jardine looks like he’s going to go down at some point. Because of the point deduction, I’d score it 9-9.
Jardine is a gamer, but he’s always been. Mousasi is taking out his frustrations on Jardine’s face. Jardine’s right eye is nasty. When Mousasi gets a little crazy with his swings, Jardine takes him down. But still, the striking overrates the takedowns here. Desperation takedowns do not equal a beating with the hands.
I think Jardine has earned another fight under either brand, but he’s taking a beating. Mousasi went for a guillotine, but Jardine got out of it. He also had him down and was doing some nasty ground and pound, but Jardine bucked him off. Mousasi tried for a kimura later in the fight. He probably could’ve pounded him on the feet and did major damage if he wanted. I have him winning 29-27 because of the point deduction.
Winner: Majority draw
That call is absolutely BS. Desperation takedowns don’t equal tremendous striking.
3. Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Gilbert Melendez
Melendez dropped Kawajiri with a counter right hand very early. Kawajiri was more stunned than hurt. He threw two wicked knees to Kawajiri’s head and wobbled him. Kawajiri played defensively and Melendez went after him on the ground. Melendez’s boxing is excellent. He’s goading Tawajiri into throwing, so that he can counter back. They went to the ground and Melendez blitzed Kawajiri with two huge elbows to the face and it was called off.
Winner: Gilbert Melendez by way of 1st round TKO
4. Paul Daley vs. Nick Diaz
What an absolutely tremendous first round and fight. Diaz stood toe-to-toe with Daley and won most of the trades. He had Daley reeling and Daley was absolutely exhausted. The moment was way too big for him. But he unleashed a wicked shot that put Diaz down and for a second, it looked like he could end it. But he went wild and it only made him more tired. Nick got his senses, got back up and just demolished him. Fantastic.
Winner: Nick Diaz by way of 1st round TKO
Photo from Dana White’s Twitter account
