Strikeforce: Shields vs Hendo

[Ross]

Second Strikeforce card on CBS this weekend. Doesn't look to be airing anywhere here though unfortunately.

Middleweight Title: Jake Shields vs Dan Henderson - Hendo should win this but I don't see it being the big knockout finish many are expecting, instead it'll probably be an ugly decision win with Shields occasionally managing to get Hendo down but not able to do much while losing the battle on the feet, interestingly Shields is out of contract after this fight too and Dana has shown some interest
Light Heavyweight Title: Gegard Mousasi vs King Mo Lawal - I'm probably crazy in making this tip but Mo is a beast, really looking forward to this fight anyway. We should find out what Mo's sub defense is like here since I think he'll put Mousasi on his back during the fight, if it isn't good it might be his undoing
Lightweight Title: Gilbert Melendez vs Shinya Aoki - I rate Melendez pretty highly and I'm still not really convinced that Aoki is an elite lightweight, unless Aoki catches him early with a sub after a flying guard pull he's going to take a pretty heavy beating IMO. However, with BJ's loss on the weekend if Aoki does win this he has a pretty solid case to be considered the top LW in the world

There's also a freebie fight for Mayhem on the undercard that they'll throw on in the case that any of the fights run short.

 

[Vendrell]

Agree with everything Ross says except I'll probably go Mousasi (not confident on this one though). Mo has some heavy hands but I think it's his wrestling that'll cause the most problems. Sokoudjou didn't have any trouble throwing Mousasi around and Mo is a former national wrestling champion. But, Mousasi spent some time training with GSP recently who no doubt would've thrown him around a lot so hopefully he's got a gameplan sorted.

Interesting to see how Aoki goes in the cage and without his rainbow tights. He'll probably wear the same gear that Sotiropoulos does. I wouldn't be surprised to see him struggle if Melendez pushes him to the cage because Aoki's so cocky that he wouldn't have done any training for it even though guys like Fedor and Shogun have talked about how difficult the transition is coming from Japan. Whatever happens, we'll see a spectacular sub from Aoki or Melendez beating the shit out of him. It's WIN/WIN!

Gotta pick Hendo by decision or TKO but it'd be great for the sport if Shields can get the victory. A nightmare for Strikeforce if he then goes to the UFC (he already made his TUF debut last week, albeit he wasn't introduced as Chuck's bjj coach even though all the other coaches on the show were!)

 

[RobbyRoy]

Middleweight Title: Jake Shields vs Dan Henderson - Interesting fight. I think this is Hendo's to lose, considering their strengths and weaknesses. If Shields can get him down he might submit or control for a win. But I think Hendo will manage to keep it standing most of the time and knock Shields out in the 3rd.
Light Heavyweight Title: Gegard Mousasi vs King Mo Lawal - This is gonna be awesome. Mousasi has the all round skills advantage but Lawal has the athleticism and power. Mo's looked better and better everytime I see him and Mousasi's nearly at the elite level already. I'll say Mousasi gets the sub in the 2nd, but anything can happen here.
Lightweight Title: Gilbert Melendez vs Shinya Aoki - I think Melendez will put a beatdown on Aoki and keep BJ as the LW number 1. Sure Aoki could pull off some crazy sub, but I think Melendez will be all over him. Not quite like the Mach fight, but TKO in the 1st.

 

[Port81]

Henderson by decision.

Mousasi by TKO, Mo has talked an awful lot, Mousasi is the guy who will use tht to his advantage, If his facebook is anything to go by, he is itching to get in there and mix it up.

Melendez by KO.

 

[Magnum]

Agree with Vendrell. Hendo, Mousasi and Gil for me.

Aoki, well we'll see how he goes in the states. This is a really anticipated fight for me. Assuming Gil sticks to the right gameplan and does not go to the ground, he should take this comfortably. If the fight was in Japan, I'd take Aoki, but inside the cage, under US rules/scoring, Gil by either decision or TKO.

Hendo, probably by decision, and yes I think Shields will likely be headed to the UFC.

Mouasis/Mo is the toughest to pick as Mo is legit and one of the best, if not THE best wrestlers in MMA. Mousasi may have to work off his back for the sub. I think if the fight remains standing more that gound, Mousasi will have the advantage and may wear out Mo and get a TKO or decision.

This will show a lot about both fighters. Great fight.

 

[Vendrell]

According to the tv guide in today's Herald Sun:

Sunday, 7TWO 9:30pm-11:45pm - To Be Advised.

Fingers crossed boys!!!

 

[Magnum]

That would be awesome if it was on FTA!

 

[Vendrell]

"To Be Advised" has been changed to an encore of "The Pacific".

FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!

 

[PLSC]

LOL at thinking 7 would have a Strikeforce event on the same day its happening, look out for this card sometime in 2012 on 7TWO.

War Mousasi!

People think Mo will take him down at will but Mousasi has world class Judo and has taken down big guys like Hunt and Goodridge. If the fight does go to the ground Mousasi has the subs to stop the fight. Im kind of dissapointed he re-signed with Strikeforce though because there isnt that much competition left for him after Mo, maybe a Hendo fight at 205 if he doesnt beat Shields but thats about it. On the other hand there is sick fights for him at 205 in the UFC but I guess we will just have to wait.

Hendo should beat Shields easily, the only way Shields can win is via sub but theres no way he is taking down Hendo.

Melendez - Aoki will be interesting because I think it could be a standup fight which Melendez would have a big advantage. I cant see Aoki getting a sub unless its a leg lock or some crazy standing guillotine etc.

Pretty awesome card and am looking forward to this aswell as WEC next week.

 

[Vendrell]

King Mo dominated Mousasi who had no answer for his wrestling and looked like he gassed around the middle of the fight anyway. Not an exciting fight but a great performance by Mo who did it with ease. Mousasi's got a lot of work to do and probably made the right choice by not signing with the UFC.

 

[PLSC]

King Mo wins via decision.

Mousasi landed some good shots from the bottom but Mo's takedowns were too good. Despite what Magnum will say about the decision I am a huge Mousasi fan and I agreed with it. No matter where you fight US/Japan you cant continually get taken down like that and expect to win the fight. It was frustrating to watch Mousasi not going for any subs and just looking for upkicks and strikes. He was comfortable on his back and at then end of Round 2 Mo looked gassed but Mousasi didnt push the fight and thats what cost. He will be back though and we should see a rematch pretty soon.

 

[PLSC]

King Mo dominated Mousasi who had no answer for his wrestling and looked like he gassed around the middle of the fight anyway. Not an exciting fight but a great performance by Mo who did it with ease. Mousasi's got a lot of work to do and probably made the right choice by not signing with the UFC.

Yeah spot on.

We kind of forget he is only 24 with Mo being 4 years older. I thought the fight was pretty good at the start but then slowed up as expected.

 

[Vendrell]

Mousasi landed some good shots from the bottom but Mo's takedowns were too good. Despite what Magnum will say about the decision I am a huge Mousasi fan and I agreed with it.

Mouasis/Mo is the toughest to pick as Mo is legit and one of the best, if not THE best wrestlers in MMA. Mousasi may have to work off his back for the sub.

What are you on about PLSC???

 

[PLSC]

I can just imagine Magnum saying Mousasi did more damage etc from the bottom and Mo only had takedowns so in Japan they would of scored it different blah blah blah

Awesome performance from Shields so far! Still 1 round to go.

 

[Vendrell]

Melendez did the right thing against Aoki and picked him apart from the outside. Before the fight, I didn't think Aoki was up there with the top guys in the UFC and after this it's pretty obvious. Excellent performance by Melendez but another fight without much excitement on this card.

Shields!!!!!! Awesome work. He dominated Hendo after the first round and did exactly what he said he would - Hendo doesn't like it on his back. Not only did he go for submissions but he worked some nice strikes as well. Very impressive performance. Shields is a natural welterweight and he's just solidified himself as the number 2 middleweight in mma. WTF?

GSP vs Shields!!!! Make it happen Dana!!!!

Mayhem WTF?!?!?! LOL you idiot. Disgrace to mma and Strikeforce. That would've made Dana White and the UFC's night - 2 lackluster fights, Hendo gets beaten and then Mayhem starts a brawl after the main event.

 

[drew_j]

OMFG!

It needs to be said again..

O
M
F
G

 

[Vendrell]

The Diaz brothers were in the melee too! HAHA typical!

 

[drew_j]

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[Magnum]

I can just imagine Magnum saying Mousasi did more damage etc from the bottom and Mo only had takedowns so in Japan they would of scored it different blah blah blah

lol, it's true. You got me

Whilst Mo dominated him with wrestling, wrestling aint fighting. I guess it depends on what you want to see. US MMA rules encourage control over damage, so we get this as a result. I guess one can say whatever they want. I always prefer damage over control, that's just my opinion. Its in line more with the spirit of Vale Tudo.

I did predict that would likely happen, Mousasi getting taken down repeatedly.

And I agree with the score card completely, according to US MMA judging Mo won pretty easily.... I just don't agree with the methodology thats all, and I don't think I ever will. I could go on like a broken record as to why, but I might as well just get used to it, cos it looks like it wont change, people already now just 'accept' it.

Anyway, one thing's for sure, if Mousasi wants to be considered near the top, he needs to work on his TD defense as top wrestlers will just eat him up. And yeah, he's only 24. Mo would take almost anyone down, and do that to them. Mo has insanely good wrestling.

Aoki, I thought pretty much that would happen. Interesting to see if they do a rematch in Japan and if anything will change.

Sheilds suprised me. Not sure if Hendo took him lightly but he was dominated aside from a few scary moments at the start. Awesome effort by Jake.

How was the ending, crazy shit! Mayhem causing an all in!

Terrible night for Strikeforce overall. I'm not sure what CBS will say, but I dont they'll be too happy!

 

[Vendrell]

 

[Magnum]

lol

 

[drew_j]

All miller shit aside, Shields was super impressive. The dude is seriously legit. I have a habit of not giving strikeforce guys any cred, but damn that dude can fight. Hendo might have hit the Crocop hump but still. He was taken down at will by Shields, mounted at will. Would love to see him fight Anderson Silva after seeing that performance. Though TBH I think the 185 UFC champ might be Sonnen by the time Shields makes his way over to the big show. Would buy a PPV to see that guy fight in the future.

 

[Jon Rowson]

I bet Dana is loving it right now.

Shields, who will probably jump to the UFC puts a beat down on Hendo, and then there's the Mayhem Miller brawl on national television.

Good night for the UFC all in all

 

[Ross]

The Diaz brothers were in the melee too! HAHA typical!

LOL, they're angry knuckle-dragging morons but I can't help but like them. That brawl ended a bad night for Strikeforce, and to make things worse they completely bombed in the TV ratings.

Normally I agree with Mags' venting on US judging pimping control over damage but it didn't apply in this fight. Mo didn't do much but Mousasi did next to nothing after the second round, Mo would have gotten the nod no matter where the fight happened.

I thought Melendez might have been able to finish but otherwise he completely smashed Aoki as I expected. I don't think a rematch in the ring would play out much differently. Aoki's always dangerous and a chance off his back but I think Melendez still takes the fight at least nine times out of ten regardless of where they fight.

Shields. Wow. Dan's takedown defense is usually overrated but I wasn't expecting Shields to get him down so easily so many times. What's worse was how bad Hendo looked on his back, Shields passed his guard like he was a white belt. Shields's decision to let his contract run out is going to pay off in a big way now with the UFC probably offering him a ton of money and Strikeforce either having to overpay to keep him or let their champion leave the company with the title.

 

[Magnum]

Normally I agree with Mags' venting on US judging pimping control over damage but it didn't apply in this fight. Mo didn't do much but Mousasi did next to nothing after the second round, Mo would have gotten the nod no matter where the fight happened.

No it didn't apply to this fight. I actually only responded to a pre-emptive rant that PLSC made that I was probably going to complain about this fight. My belief is in the overall context of MMA, not particularly the Mo/Mousasi fight.

Because Mousasi pretty much did nothing the last 3 rounds, I wouldn't have given him this fight even if I scored the fight my own way. He gassed and Mo took over the fight in my eyes and deserved the win, US rules/scoring or not.