Strikeforce Carano vs. Cyborg ***SPOILERS***

[Drooke]

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

 

 

* * * *

 

Sparse crowd in the arena as the first fighters make their way to the cage, though more fans are flowing in as through the doors.

 

ISAIAH HILL VS. ALEX TREVINO

 

Round 1 - No touch of gloves as the evening's first fight gets underway. Hill takes the center of the cage and misses with a Superman punch. Trevino flashes a kick but misses. The two dance around as the crowd shouts for Hill. The pair clinches, and Hill earns the trip, falling into Trevino's half-guard. Trevino sweeps, and Hill is forced to settle into guard. Trevino postures up, and Hill rolls. Trevino tries for a guillotine, releases it, them tries again. Hill stands, slides out of the choke, and gains back position as the two fall to the floor. Hill can't secure the choke, but he switches over to mount. Trevino pushes his legs up, trying to push Hill off. Hill drops a few right hands, though Trevino drops back and falls for an ankle lock. Hill resists, but Trevino slides into side control position, quickly grasping the head. Trevino sits up with the choke in place, and Hill is forced to tap. Alex Trevino def. Isiah Hill via submission (side choke) - Round 1, 3:56.

 

ZAK BUCIA VS. JAMES TERRY

 

Round 1 - Referee "Big" John McCarthy starts the action. Terry opens with a stiff right hand. Bucia circles, but has yet to fire a return. Bucia misses with a high kick that flies over Terry's head. Lot of feints, and the crowd is a bit restless. Terry lands a stiff jab and charges in. Bucia backs up but eats a huge right high kick that echoes through the arena. Bucia is flat on his back, and Terry pounces. A flurry of punches follow on the ground, and McCarthy rushes in to award the fight to the hometown kid. James Terry def. Zak Bucia via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:23.

 

Crowd beginning to fill in. Still just 25-30 percent full, but arena starting to get a bit more of a buzz. The big finish in the Terry vs. Bucia fight definitely had fans stirring, and the replat received as loud of a reaction as the original finish.

 

DAVID DOUGLAS VS. JUSTIN WILCOX

 

Round 1 - Douglas rushes forward, but Wilcox takes him to the floor. Douglas stands up and drop Wilcox with two right hands, the second a nasty uppercut. Referee Herb Dean watches close, but lets the fight continue. Wilcox grabs Douglas and they crash tot he floor. Douglas works form guard, briefly looks for an armbar, but Wilcox stands. Douglas chases him with right hands they miss. Wilcox answers with one of his own. Douglas throws another wild right, and Terry ducks down and pushes the fight to the floor again. Douglas tries for guard, but Wilcox moves out to side control. Halfway through an action-packed opening round. Wilcox swiftly passes to mount. Douglas tries to roll, but Wilcox has a steady base. Wilcox postires a bit, but mainly riding the position. Douglas tries again to roll, no dice. Action a bit slow on the floor, but Wilcox doing enough on top to stay in the position. Dean looks at the clock, and the pair scrambles. Wilcox rides the position out to end the round, but the opening barrage earns Douglas the round on the MMAjunkie.com card, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Douglas tries again with the uppercut, but Terry dodges and immediately shoots. Douglas forced to pull guard, and we're back to where we finished round one. Terry stands briefly and passes out to stand control. Seconds later, its full mount. Terry postures and punches. Douglas answers from the bottom, but not with the same power. Not super action-packed, but Terry earning points by holding position and delivering a few short blows. Halfway through the round. Douglas comfortable just defending the blows, not in real trouble, but certainly not mounting any offense. Crowd calling for the stand-up, but Dean allows the moderate action to continue. Terry looks to roll out for an armbar, relents, and passes to side control. Douglas regains half-guard, then guard. Crowd not pleased at the slow pace, but definitely one-sided. MMAjunkie.com sees it for Wilcox, 10-9.

 

Round 3 - Douglas opens with a low kick. Terry answers with a high kick, then a straight right. The pair trading briefly on the feet, but Terry shoots in, earning both a takedown and a chorus of boos. Terry moves quickly to mount. Douglas rolls, exposing his back, but Terry passes on the choke in favor of ground and pound. Douglas rolls back to his back, and Terry continues the assault. Dean watching as the blood begins to trickle from Douglas' cheek. Terry slows on the attack, and Douglas again rolls to his belly. Terry can't get the choke, and he continues the moderate assault. Douglas tries to sit up and roll out, and Wilcox finally is able to squeeze an arm underneath the chin. Wilcox squeezes the rear-naked choke, and Douglas taps. Justin Wilcox def. David Douglas via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 3, 3:16.

 

New Strikeforce signing Matt Lindland, heavyweight Brett Rogers and female prospect Miesha Tate taking pictures with the fans between fights. Floor and lower level filling quickly.

 

MIKE COOK VS. SCOTT LIGHTY

 

Round 1 - Lighty opens with a few jabs to keep Cook at bay. The two trade, and Lighty gets the best shots. Cook answers with a low kick, then his hands. Cook cutting off the cage and lands a few punches. A quick clinch, then they separate. Lighty drops Cook with a grazing high kick, then a right hand. Cook returns to his feet, but he looks a bit wobbly. Light lands another high kick. Lighty lands to the body with a kick, then a right hand to the ribs. Cook doubles over in pain, shaking his head "No" as Lighty rushes in. A right hand lands to the head, and referee "Big" John McCarthy gets between the two before Lighy can inflict any more damage. Scott Lighty def. Mike Cook via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:05.

 

UFC welterweights Anthony Johnson and Josh Kosheck are causing a stir as they make their way through the crowd, and "Rumble" has pulled up a chair next to press row. Lower level nearly full, and there's a healthy buzz. Upper level still a bit sparse. Bas Rutten now signing several autographs, as his Royce Gracie. EA Sports featured heavily during the break, and Strikeforce has just the Jay Hieron vs. Jesse Taylor fight left to air in the 30 minutes remaining before the event goes live on Showtime.

 

JAY HIERON VS. JESSE TAYLOR

 

Round 1 - The two switch corners before starting action in brief comical moment. Referee Herb Dean gets the action started. Taylor shoots in, but Hieron shucks him off. Hieron feinting jabs. Taylor fakes a right hand, then clinches. It's deep, but Hieron sprawls and Taylor is forced to settle for guard. Hieron moves out to half guard, but there's little offense from the top. Taylor gains guard as the crowd boos. Taylor's nose bleeding, and he looks to escape briefly, but he's held down. Halfway through the round, and the action is slow. Hieron throws a few short punches, and Taylor looks to sit up. Hieron has a guillotine momentarily, but he lets it go. Taylor sits up with his back to the cage. Hieron passes out to half-guard, dumping Taylor back to the floor when he tries to wiggle free. Taylor scrambles, and Hieron controls the head. Taylor falls back to guard. With 30 seconds remaining, the action is finally restarted. Taylor tries a high kick and a sloppy takedown as time expires. Slow, but MMAjunkie.com sees it for Hieron, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Both fake jabs. Taylor shoots in, and Hieron avoids, catching Taylor with a right hand before grabbing a headlock. Taylor falls back and Hieron winds up in guard, releasing the head. Taylor rolls, but Hieron stays on the back. Hieron tries to kick in a rear-naked choke, but taylor keeps his chin tucked. Taylor rolls, and Hieron has a head-and-arm choke that appears to be tight. Taylor stays patient, and Hieron senses he won;t finish and releases. A brief scramble, and Taylor settles to his back with Heiron in his guard. Taylor trying to stay active from his back, but Dean calls for the restart halfway through the round. Taylor dives in twice with overhand rights that turn into shots, but Hieron avoids and sneaks in an uppercut. Taylor again falls to his back, and Hieron simply piles on top. Taylor tries to walk up the cage, but Hieron dumps him back down. Another restart with less than a minute. taylor flashes a high kick, then shoots in. Hieron's sprawl is extremely effective tonight, and Taylor is breathing hard. It's another round for Hieron, 10-9, but the crows isn't feeling the action.

 

Round 3 - Taylor throws a right hand. Hieron answers. Taylor still looking for the takedown that won't come. Taylor bouncing, though his mouth is wide open. Taylor shoots again. Hieron sprawls, controls the head in north-south, but backs away. Tayor finally cores the double-leg he's been seeking. Hieron pulls guard, working the butterfly. Taylor spins left, working to half-mount. Hieron was is arms tight, then releases and scrambles back to his feet. Taylor misses with a right, though Hieron scores one. Taylor moves in again, but he falls to his back. Hieron comfortable on top, but Dean watching close with a minute remaining. Crowd calls for action, and Dean puts it back on the feet. Taylor throws a lead kick, and Hieron bobbing and weaving a bit. Taylor narrowly misses with a homerun right, and Hieron keeps his distance as time winds down. Crowd boos, but Hieron should have the sweep, 30-27. Jay Hieron def. Jesse Taylor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

 

 

[Drooke]

MIKE KYLE VS. FABRICIO WERDUM

 

Round 1 - Kyle shadowboxing fiercely in the ring as Werdum slowly strolls to the cage in full gi.

 

I wish that fight had lasted longer. Werdum showed great balance when Kyle caught his kick. After hopping on one foot repeatedly he was able to up kick after kyle dropped his leg. Good Stuff!

 

Electric crowd as the fighters are introduced. Referee Yuji Shimada gets the action underway. The two stand toe to toe, with Kyle narrowly missing. Werdum tries to clinch, but Kyle backs him away. Kyle catches a leg, but he's unable to capitalize. Werdum clinches and works to the floor, but it's Kyle who nearly has an armbar. Werdum spins out of the hold and pulls guard. Werdum grabs hold of Kyle's neck, locking in the guillotine choke. Kyle tries to work free briefly, but Werdum's right arm squeezes tight and forces the tap. Fabricio Werdum def. Mike Kyle via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 1:24.

 

 

CHAMP GILBERT MELENDEZ VS. MITSUHIRO ISHIDA

 

Round 1 - Melendez receives a huge ovation. Referee Herb Dean gets the action started, and Ishida keeps his distance. Ishida lands a low kick, then misses with a shot. Melendez holding the center of the cafe with Ishida circling left at a distance. Ishida closes briefly, but Melendez tosses him away. Ishida misses with a right hand and Melendez counters.Not much action two minutes in, but Melendez lands a three-punch combo. Patient fight, Melendez score a counter. Ishida looks to move in, and Melendez scores. Ishida shoots in, relentless in his takedown. Melendez resists, but eventually relents. Ishida briefly moves to the back, but Melendez rolls free and earns his own takedown. Less than a minute remains, and Ishida works to his knees, grabbing hold of Melendez's head briefly. Melendez can't work free, but he should have edged out the round, 10-9.

 

After the round Herschel Walker was interview about his love for the sport.  He stated he has trained MMA for the past 8 years and if Coker and the fans were interested he would get in the cage.

 

Round 2 - Melendez again takes the center. Ishida circling on the outside. Melendez closes the distance, pushing Ishida to the cage and landing a few knees inside. Melendez lands a nice elbow. Ishida drops, but he scrambles away. Both score in a brief exchange of hands. Halfway through the round. Melendez again closes the distance and unleashes a flurry. Ishida drops for a leg, but Melendez holds him at bay and lands a few left hands. Ishida waits to make his move free, but Melendez is ready and dumps him to the floor. Ishida immediately scrambles back to a knee. Melendez holds him on the floor and lands two knees to the body of his kneeling foe. Ishida stands and Melendez tags him with a flurry. The crowd erupts. Ishida misses a high kick, slips and eats a few punches as time expires. Clear round for Melendez, 10-9.

 

Round 3 - Melendez avenges his loss with some GnP

Round 3 - Chants of "Gilbett" as the third frame opens in familiar fashion. Melendez lands a few right hands. Ishida scores wirth a low kick, and Melendez shoots in unsuccessfully. Melendez tries a left that Ishida blocks. Ishida still circling, though Melendez catches with one stiff jab, then another, then a third. Ishida drops in again for a takedown, but Melendez sprawl and punishes him with a series of punches on the floor. Dean watches closely, but Ishida keeps the attack at bay from his back. Melendez keeps control, eventually working to Ishida's back when he rolls. Two rear-naked chokes won't stick, but a flurry of 12 blows to the head as Ishida simply turtles up force Dean to step in.

 

Mousasi is 24 and has 28 pro fights under his belt. Holy Cow Mousasi looks like he could take a nap at the fighter instructions.

 

Mousasi by MURDER!!!!!! He never broke a sweat...I'm a Huge Fan!

 

CHAMP RENATO "BABALU" SOBRAL VS. GEGARD MOUSASI

 

Round 1 - Referee "Big" John McCarthy gets the action started. Quick touch of gloves. The pair trade low kicks. Sobral lands a right hand to the gut. Mousasi throws a right kick to the body, but Soral catches it. The pair hits the canvas, and Mousasi is in top position. He works from side control, and looks briefly for a leg. Sobral tries to work from underneath, but the cage hampers him in one direction. Mousasi unleashes a flurry of punches, and McCarthy looks closely. The punishment continues to rain down, and Sobral goes limp. Impressive win for Mousasi.

 

 

GINA CARANO VS. CRISTIANE "CYBORG" SANTOS

 

Round 1 - Round 1 - I've got a weird feeling that we are gonna see a reinactment of the chimp that got loose and tore that woman's face off

 

This fight is GREAT!!! A big adrenaline dump at the start and now it's a rumble.

 

Woot.....at the Bell the ref stopped the fight due to RAPE!!!

 

Big Holla for Chute Box....she is a mini Wandy

 

GINA CARANO VS. CRISTIANE "CYBORG" SANTOS

 

Round 1 - The crowd is deafening as the evening's main-event fighters are announced. It's a decidedly pro-Carano crowd. Referee Josh Rosenthal starts the action, and most of the crowd is on their feet. Chants of "Gina" greet the opening action. Santos moves in quickly, but Carano works in top position as the action hits the floor. Santos rolls out for an ankle lock, then takes the back as Carano scrambles away. Santos works ground and pound from the back, but Carano stands. Santos lands a flurry, but Carano answers and lands in top position again when the fight hits the ground. Carano delivers a few blow, but allows Santos to stand. Two minutes have asses. Carano works a jab, but eats a counter right. Santos catches a kick, pushes Carano to the cage and works to the back Carano misses when she drops for a leg, and she eats a few punches when she stands. Carano misses with a superman (woman) punch. Carano starts to work the jab again, though Santos pushes in and throws her to the floor. Santus delivers a few blows but allows her to stand. Santos walks through jabs to deliver punches, then moves to the clinch. Santos is warned for gouging the eye, then earns a trip takedown. Santos moves to side control and locks in a tight keylock, but Carano squirms free. Santos stands and delivers a series of hard rights. Rosenthal rushed in to stop the bout just as the horn sounds, but the decision has been made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MattM]

Thanks for the updates man.  Truth be told I'm mostly interested in how the Carano vs Cyborg fight plays out.  Probably about the only decent female MMA fight they will have anytime soon (well at least one they will promote).  Well the next few figths are decent too for seeing how some former stars and some up and coming talents are panning out these days.

 

JT Money and Babalu get a downgrade with the lose.  Yeah JT stepped in a little late, but he hasn't live up to his own hype yet.  I do like Mousasi the more I hear about him.

 

Werdum is back on with a win after his previous lose to Santos.

 

Cyborg is just a scary force.  I would relate the results to the Chimp ripping a womans face off Drooke.  She worked the best game plan she could have come out violently and get it done early before she tires and Carano can establish herself in the fight.  Guess we can go back to men fighting now since not to much else is worth marketing in the female department.

 

Enjoy while its still up CARANO vs. CYBORG - FIGHT VIDEO

[JakeandBreighton]

I don't understand why they fight 3-3 minute rounds normally, then 5-5 minute rounds in a title fight?

[MattM]

I think most of it just has to do with time constraints.  Even PPV have a certain timespan they are suppose to last.  If the organization wants to get a few good fights in before the main event they have to make sure those fights don't go to long if they go to decision.

[navy80]

GayGard Mousasi impressed me, he could compete with the UFC's best. 

 

Gina was able to mount Cyborg but couldnt stay on her.  Gina fought hard but Cyborg is a beast.  Nothing else to be said, I wouldnt want to fight Cyborg. 

[TripleB]

Isn't it 3 5 minute rds? The women have traditionally fought 3 minute rds, but I always thought the guys did 5 minute rds. TUF is 3 minutes.

[MattM]

Women usually had 3 minute rounds but they talked Strikeforce and the Athletic Commission into have the womens title fight set up for 5 5-minute rounds.  

 

Men usually have none title matches set at 3 5-minute rounds.  The mens title fights are usually 5 5-minute rounds.  

 

TUF fights within the show are just 2 rounds of I believe 5 minutes with a 3rd winner take all round if the judges have the score tied after the first 2 rounds.  Though they have adjusted in some seasons to have the semi-finals fights within the show also go a regular 3 5-minutes rounds.

[JakeandBreighton]

Thats all I was saying. IMHO, Gina looked good for the first 3+ minutes, then gassed. If they have been fighting 3 minute rounds all this time, thats a big adjustment to make for a title fight. She was most likely gonna lose anyway, but she was doiing ok for a while.