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: 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.