Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman

Sam’s Picks

Main Card

Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman: Sarah Kaufman seems to be extremely overlooked heading into this fight. She has amazing striking with great cardio and amazing chin. Of course her ground game is her one weakness and that is Ronda’s specialty. Rousey still hasn’t shown much improvement in the striking department, as it is still rather rudimentary. I’m sure that she has diligently at that aspect of her career but Kaufman will certainly be better on the feet. Although I do see Rousey continuing her dominance = Rousey via 1^st round armbar.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Derek Brunson: Once again, another big underdog that shouldn’t be so overlooked. Brunson is a very powerful wrestler but that could very well be his downfall. Souza is arguably the best BJJ in MMA today. Although Souza did technically lose to Grove, Dave didn’t watch that fight, I did and Brunson won that fight, even the cocky Grove admitted it to Derek afterwards. But that doesn’t change much heading into this fight. I see Brunson going for the takedown early and Souza snapping on the triangle = Souza via 1^st round triangle.

Roger Bowling vs. Tarec Saffiedine: Now this is an awesome fight. I agree with Dave on the fact that Tarec is one of the more underrated fighters in MMA. Bowling is extremely explosive but if Saffiedine can survive the first round onslaught, he should take an easy decision after picking him apart and even possibly finishing him = Saffedine via unanimous decision. (For our interview with Tarec click here)

Lumumba Sayers vs. Anthony Smith: Sayers has really impressed me lately with his KO power and submission skills. Because he has such heavy hands, I can see him knocking Smith out early as Smith’s chin is very suspect = Sayers via 1^st round KO.

TJ Cook vs. Ovince St. Preux: OSP has a very bright future ahead of him. With only 1 loss in his last 9 to Gegard Mousasi, OSP is very well rounded and TJ Cook hasn’t beaten anyone with a name to show me that he can beat someone like OSP. Cook’s submission defense is very bad so I see a submission after a close first round = OSP via 2^nd round guillotine.

Prelims

Julie Kedzie vs. Miesha Tate = Tate via unanimous decision. (Click here for the prelim preview)

Bobby Green vs. Matt Ricehouse = Ricehouse via split decision.

Adlan Amagov vs. Keith Berry = Amagov via 1^st round submission

Germaine de Randamie vs. Hiroko Yamanaka = Yamanaka via unanimous decision.

Dave’s Picks

Main Card

Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman: This one is for the 135-pound title. This fight will be amazing and a ton of fun. Rousey is arguably the best female fighter alive and I think her perfect streak will continue here. Rousey has won every fight by way of first round armbar and if you include her amateur career that is 7 armbars in a row…and by the way all of those came in the first round! She is an incredible athlete and Kaufman will be overwhelmed here. I think at this point in their careers Meisha Tate is better than Sarah Kaufman and Rousey just broke Tate’s arm in half. = Rousey by armbar in round 1.

Ronaldo Souza vs. Derek Brunson: Souza is a BJJ freak and he is facing a guy who just lost to Kendall Grove. Not much to think about in this one. Brunson’s only chance is to land a big punch or kick and KO Souza but if Souza can take out Robbie Lawler then he can handle Brunson. = Souza by submission in round 2.

Roger Bowling vs. Tarec Saffiedine: This fight is going to be a brawl. Tarec is a very good technical striker with a great chin and a very solid grappling style. He is one of the most underrated fighters in the sport and is incredibly well rounded. Bowling is more of a sloppy brawler and has a chance to win but Tarec is better in every aspect and has never been KO’d. I see Tarec picking him apart and, if need be he can take it to the ground and control him there. = Tarec by unanimous decision. (For our interview with Tarec click here)

Lumumba Sayers vs. Anthony Smith: Sayers has been impressive as of late with his KO of Antwain Britt in 28 seconds and submitting Scott Smith in 1 minute and 34 seconds. Smith did not have a great start to his career but has gone 11-2 in his last 13 fights. However Sayers has faced and defeated better competition than Smith and I think he will take this one. = Sayers by TKO in round 2.

T.J. Cook vs. Ovince St. Preux: OSP is a superb athlete and is pretty well rounded. Cook, in my opinion, has not proven himself enough to say he could hang with OSP. I think Cook has a problem with submission defense and OSP has good enough submissions to pull it off. = OSP by submission in round 3.

Prelims

Julie Kedzie vs. Miesha Tate: Tate by submission in round 2. (Click here for the prelim preview)

Bobby Green vs. Matt Ricehouse: Green by unanimous decision.

Adlan Amagov vs. Keith Berry: Amagov by TKO in round 1.

Germaine de Randamie vs. Hiroko Yamanaka: Hiroko by unanimous decision.