Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine Predictions

Sam’s Picks

Main Card

Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffeidine: Heading into this fight, Saffeidine is being extremely overlooked, and for good reason. Marquardt was one of the best middleweights in the world before he made his drop down to welterweight and went to war with Tyron Woodley. Lots of people were predicting Woodley to ride out a decision, but instead it was a standup war. Marquardt did eventually demolish him in the 4th though, with one of the sickest combos of 2012. Saffeidine is an extremely talented fighter who has been under appreciated throughout his MMA career. His well-rounded attack can leave anyone at 170 flustered.  But his greatest enemy is wrestling and a constant forward attack. Marquardt is a very aggressive fighter with great wrestling, I see Marquardt out-grappling Saffeidine from the get go = Marquardt via unanimous decision.

Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring: The only aspect that Staring has an advantage in is the size and intimidation factors. Other than that, Cormier will demolish him = Cormier via 1st round TKO (ground and pound).

Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino: This is a very similar case with the Cormier/Staring fight. Intimidation and size goes to Guelmino but Barnett will dispatch of him with ease = Barnett via 1st round submission (arm triangle).

Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle: This is another easy pick. Kyle is a scrapper with little technique and a poor ground game. Mousasi has some of the best kickboxing in MMA and an improving ground game that is starting to actually turn out pretty decent. Kyle has a lot of power but Mousasi has never even really been rocked. The best idea for Gegard is to punch down the pipe and pick Kyle apart = Mousasi via unanimous decision.

Ronaldo Souza vs. Ed Herman: This is a really interesting matchup. I’m really leaning towards picking Herman but Souza is the safer pick. Herman has the standup advantage and a great ground game and submission defense but Souza’s standup is starting to get better and his ground game is possibly top-5 P4P. Herman is the scrappy-enough fighter to ride out a close decision win but I have a feeling that Souza will fight similarly to Jake Shields = Souza via unanimous decision.

Prelims

Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh = Healy via 2nd round submission (guillotine).

Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith = Gracie via 1st round submission (armbar).

Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith = Kennedy via 3rd round submission (RNC).

KJ Noons vs. Ryan Couture = Noons via 3rd round TKO.

Jorge Gurgel vs. Antonio Martins = Martins via unanimous decision.

Estevan Payan vs. Mike Bravo = Bravo via split decision.

Dave’s Picks

Main Card

Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffeidine: This will be a much closer fight then anyone will see coming. Tarec is a phenomenal fighter who can do everything and do it well. However, so can Nate but Nate is also a little bit better everywhere. This fight might not be a ton of fun to watch for some because I believe it will be very technical but I can’t wait. I think Nate will be the aggressor and take control early on. Nate is just more proven at this point but believe me it will be a close one. = Nate by unanimous decision.

Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring: This fight sums up why I am so glad Cormier is finally coming over to the UFC: he needs stronger competition. I know Cormier was supposed to fight Mir at first but even then I think Cormier would KO Mir quickly. Cormier will berserk Staring and will not let up until it’s over. = Cormier by KO in round 1.

Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino: Oh boy. This fight will be fun for the casual fan who wants to see quick finishes. Barnett is better everywhere but especially on the ground. = Barnett by submission in round 1.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle: This fight will be nuts. Mike Kyle fights are always crazy…mainly because Mike Kyle is crazy. But Gegard is just way too technical for the wild Kyle. Kyle could KO anyone in the world if he lands cleanly but I don’t see that happening here. I see Gegard keeping him at bay and then finding openings for solid strikes. I am not sure if Gegard can finish him but for his sake he better try because as long as Kyle is conscious he is dangerous. = Gegard by unanimous decision.

Ronaldo Souza vs. Ed Herman:  This fight is going to be very close in my mind. I know Souza’s BJJ is way better than Herman’s but Herman is no joke and is a tough as they come. However, Souza will just be too much for Herman on the ground. My only fear is that Souza will try and keep it standing and will get KO’ed. But I think Souza wants a UFC contract so he will fight smart. = Souza by unanimous decision.

Prelims

Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh = Healy by submission in round 1.

Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith = Gracie by submission in round 1.

Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith = Kennedy by submission in round 2.

KJ Noons vs. Ryan Couture = Noons by KO in round 2.

Jorge Gurgel vs. Antonio Martins = Martins by unanimous decision.

Estevan Payan vs. Mike Bravo = Payan by split decision.

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.

Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman Prelim Preview: Miesha Tate vs. Julie Kedzie

This Saturday, on the 18^th of August, San Diego will be hosting the first of Ronda Rousey’s title defenses. The main card is stacked but don’t let that make you look past the undercard. Shown on Showtime Extreme, the prelims will be headlined by Jackson’s MMA standout and Invicta FC color commentator, Julie Kedzie and the former Strikeforce bantamweight champion, Miesha Tate.

Although it seems that this fight should be featured on the main card, it just goes to show you that Strikeforce wanted to give San Diego another great event.

Julie Kedzie
Photo by MMAJunkie.com

Julie Kedzie’s keys to victory: With a decorated background in Tae Kwon Do and a third degree black belt in said martial art, she will obviously want to keep it on the feet as much as she can. That being said, if Miesha can get the takedown, Kedzie has the BJJ skills to get back up, sweep Miesha, or submit her.

Miesha Tate
Photo by MMA Fighting.com

Miesha Tate’s keys to victory: Miesha Tate is a former high school wrestling standout who can take anyone down and hold them there in her division. Her key to victory is to go for the takedown as quickly as possible and try to finish the fight with either ground and pound or a submission.

Although Tate may be the favorite coming into this fight, make no mistake, Kedzie has all the tools to pull of the upset, and decisively so.

We will be posting our predictions tomorrow so be looking for this fight, even if it is on the prelims! 

CR Exclusive Interview with Tarec Saffiedine

Photo by MMAJunkie.com

Tarec Saffiedine is a very well rounded welterweight fighting out of Team Quest and a top guy in Strikeforce. He was originally a Muay Thai kickboxer before making his move over to MMA in 2007. He is fighting Roger Bowling on August 18 at the Rousey vs. Kaufman card. With the Strikeforce executives scrambling for title challengers at welterweight, a win over Roger Bowling could certainly send Tarec right into that position.

He was very gracious in agreeing to do an interview with us before his fight.

Championship Rounds: So your next opponent is the up and coming Roger Bowling on August 18. Talk about that fight. How has camp been going?

Tarec Saffiedine: It’s a big fight for me because I believe a win should put me really close to a title fight. He is explosive but I believe I am more technical and this should make the difference.

Camp is going well, we have eight weeks so it’s perfect to plan the camp and I have great boxers and wrestlers that are here to help me out along with my usual partners at Team Quest. I train with my coaches Daniel Woirin for the Muay Thai, Ricardo Feliciano for BJJ, Bryan Harper for MMA and Brian Richardson for conditioning. I have a great team behind me.

CR: How do you envision the fight going?

TS: He always starts strong in the first round so I have to break his explosiveness, and then use my technique to frustrate him and win the fight.

CR: You have been a striker for a very long time yet most of your wins have been by submission. How long have you been training in BJJ?

TS: When I first started training, I started with taekwondo, and then I turned to Shihaishinkai Karate which is a Karate that incorporates Judo throws and a little bit of BJJ as well. So I basically started BJJ when I started training my stand up, but the level in Europe at that time was far from the level we have here in the USA. That’s what I realized when I came here [the US] for the first time and got taken down at will. I realized what I learned in Europe was far from enough from the level here, especially with the wrestling part.

CR: What is it like training at such a highly touted camp such as Team Quest?

TS: You know, since I moved to the USA to train with Team Quest, I traveled to other camps and trained at other gyms but I don’t see myself training somewhere else. It’s kind of my roots and we have some of the best coaches. The wrestling base is great and having Dan Henderson as a training partner, you can’t ask for anything better. I learn everyday from everyone and everyone helps each other out. The team is still growing and we have new guys coming to train with us and bring their knowledge as well so it’s great.

CR: How different is it going from fighting professionally in kickboxing to fighting professionally in MMA?

TS: It’s a lot different I believe. When you are an active pro competitor in Muay Thai, you fight every two weeks, get injured and don’t get paid as much as you do in MMA. So you have to fight more to be able to make a living and only a few fighters are able to make names out there because it’s a lot less streaming worldwide, that’s why everybody is going to MMA, more exposure and quicker money making. You have unbelievable Muay Thai fighters with more than 100 fights that have to fight for $1000 because they don’t have as much respect as a MMA fighter. The Muay Thai life is way harder I believe than MMA. 

CR: Where did you get your nickname, "Sponge"?

TS: From my former coach in Belgium. He said that I am like a Sponge because every time, he taught me a technique I was able to replicate (absorb) it right away. So I stuck with it.

CR: Thank you again! We will be cheering for you during your fight!

TS: Thank you very much

Thanks to Tarec for the interview. Go follow him on Twitter @tarecfighter and support him in his fight on August 18!

Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy Predictions

Dave's Picks
Main Card

Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy: Great fight but hard to pick. Both guys are good everywhere but I think Rockhold will have the better striking. Kennedy might have the better ground game. I think Rockhold is just too hot right now. He is easily winning all of his fights and destroying people. I think Rockhold will control the pace and avoid submissions but he better be able to get off his back. = Rockhold by unanimous decision.

Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley: Woodley has never really impressed me. He is good but not great. Nate is an elite fighter. I will be shocked if he loses here. Nate will have the better striking and submissions. This is for the welterweight title and I see Nate taking this. = Nate by submission in round 2.

Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine: Jardine is done. He literally has no chin. His ground game is good but nowhere near the level of Gracie = Gracie by submission in round 1.

Lorenz Larkin vs. Robbie Lawler: Larkin actually looked pretty good against King Mo, who was jacked up with steroids. Mo is one of the best wrestlers to ever come over to MMA and Mo actually had a little trouble getting Larkin down. Lawler is a long time seasoned vet who has fought big names his whole career. Lawler is similar to Dan Henderson where he fights to land one big punch. Lawler has the power and has been successful with that style. But Larkin is going to be way faster and more technical. It is a hard one for me to pick. = Lawler by TKO in round 3.

Prelims

Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox: Masvidal by unanimous decision.

Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota: Healy by unanimous decision.

Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson: Mein by unanimous decision.

Jason High vs. Nate Moore: High by unanimous decision.

Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte: Duarte by unanimous decision. 

Sam's Picks

Main Card

Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy: Tim Kennedy is going to be Rockhold's toughest test to date. They are both similar fighters where there standup is solid but they are best on the ground. Rockhold is the type of fighter that gets better after every fight, especially in his striking. He seriously impressed me with his performance against Keith Jardine, where he brutally finished him with punches in the first round. I think one of the big deciding factors heading into this match is the fact that Tim Kennedy hasn't fought in almost a year; while Rockhold just fought a few months ago. Rockhold should take this but it will be closer than the betting lines are showing = Rockhold by unanimous decision.

Tyron Woodley vs. Nate Marquardt:  Finally, Nate is making his welterweight debut. Woodley is a tough first test, but he has no chance. He barely won his last fight against Jordan Mein, who I thought he would easily beat, and hasn't done much else. He is a strong wrestler but Marquardt was a huge and strong middleweight. Marquardt will beat him anywhere the fight goes = Marquardt by 4th round TKO.

Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine: Jardine's career is over. Gracie will hurt him, take him down, and submit him. Fight over. = Gracie by 1st round submission (choke).

Lorenz Larkin vs. Robbie Lawler: Larkin has a very bright future. He has great kickboxing and decent takedown defense. Robbie Lawler has some crazy power and Larkin showed that he is susceptible to being finished = Lawler by 2nd round KO.

Prelims

Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox: Masvidal by 3rd round TKO.

Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota: Healy by unanimous decision.

Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson: Mein by split decision.

Jason High vs. Nate Moore: High by 1st round submission

Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte: Duarte by unanimous decision. 

Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale Predictions

Dave’s Picks

Main Card

Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier: This fight is going to be very interesting and should be highly entertaining. Cormier improves by leaps every time he is in the cage. I have never seen anyone get so much better in such a short time. As many of you know I am somewhat of an expert in amateur wrestling and I can say with authority that Daniel Cormier is the best wrestler in the heavyweight division in all of MMA and is at least top 5 in the whole sport. He is undersized for heavyweight but refuses to cut weight because he had a very bad reaction to it once where his kidneys failed. However, he has enough strength to hand with anyone at 265. One of the biggest heavyweights in the world, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva lasted under 4 minutes against Cormier. This fight however will be Cormier’s hardest test to date. Josh Barnett is extremely experienced and has faced many of the top heavyweights in the world. However, he has only fought 5 times in the last 3.5 years and not one of them was that big of a test. Like I said this fight will be interesting. Interesting to see where Cormier is in term of skill level and a look into how far he may be able to go in his career. This fight could go either way but when in doubt go with the Olympic wrestler! = Cormier by unanimous decision.

Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson: These guys have went at it twice already in their careers; splitting wins. However, at this point in their careers Melendez has matured into an elite fighter. Thompson has plateaued awhile back. I see Melendez controlling this fight throughout and getting an easy win. =  Melendez by unanimous decision.

Rafael Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle: Cavalcante by split decision.

Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang: Burrell by unanimous decision.

Prelims

Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg: JZ by submission in round 2.

Guto Inocente vs. Virgil Zwicker: Virgil by TKO in round 1.

Derrick Mehmen vs. Gian Villante: Gian by split decision.

Quinn Mulhern vs. Yuri Villefort: Quinn by unanimous decision.

Bobby Green vs. James Terry: Green by submission in round 2.

Sam’s Picks

Main Card

Daniel Cormier vs. Josh Barnett: I can’t wait to see Cormier finally be able to truly show the potential that he has. He was an amazing NCAA wrestler and has had a very impressive MMA career so far, with KO’s and submissions alike. But Barnett is just such a seasoned veteran, that you simply can’t ever count him out of a fight. He is extremely well rounded with the ground game as his strong point. My gut says Barnett but my mind says Cormier. Lately, my gut has betrayed me. I vision this fight with Cormier landing some big shots, scaring Barnett. Barnett tries to take him down, gets on the bottom and getting TKO’d. I feel that this is a big possibility = Cormier by 1st round TKO. My pick for KOOTN!

Champ Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson: I don’t see this fight being as close as their previous two meetings. Once Thomson won, and Melendez won. Since those two fights, Melendez has become a whole new fighter. Someone who truly poses a threat to any lightweight champ, shall it be Frankie or Henderson. Thomson, on the other hand, is virtually the same fighter. He still tries to grind out decision wins with unimproved wrestling. I don’t see Melendez finishing this fight, but I see it being very dominant = Melendez by unanimous decision. My pick for FOTN!

Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle = Feijao by 1st round submission (choke). My pick for SOTN!
Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang = Burrell by split decision

Prelims
Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg = JZ by 1st round TKO
Virgil Zwicker vs. Carlos Augusto Filho = Zwicker by unanimous decision
Derrick Mehmen vs. Gian Villante = Villante by unanimous decision
Quinn Mulhern vs. Yuri Villefort = Villefort by split decision

Bobby Green vs. James Terry: Green by split decision

Quick Picks: Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine

Dave’s Picks

Champ Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine: Jardine by TKO in round 3.

Adlan Amagov vs. Robbie Lawler: Lawler by KO in round 1.

Lorenz Larkin vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal: Lawal by TKO in round 2.

Jordan Mein vs. Tyron Woodley: Woodley by unanimous decision.

Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson: Tarec by unanimoud decision.

Sam’s Picks

Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine = Rockhold by 4th round TKO.

Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov = Lawler by 2nd round KO. My pick for KOTN!

Lorenz Larkin vs. Muhammad Lawal = King Mo by unanimous decision.

Jordan Mein vs. Tyron Woodley = Woodley by unanimous decision.

Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson = Saffiedine by unanimous decision.