Strikeforce returns with their first card of 2012 this Saturday night, and it's actually a pretty good card. A lot of people take issue with Keith Jardine getting a middleweight title shot in his first fight in the division (see Miesha Tate, it DOES happen sometimes), and that's understandable, but there's a lot of other stuff going on. Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov is going to be a slugfest, King Mo vs. Lorenz Larkin should be excellent, and Tyron Woodley vs. Jordan Mein matches up two of the best welterweight prospects in any organization. Strikeforce is still going to be a heck of a lot of fun, people! Here's the current card:
Luke Rockhold (8-1) vs. Keith Jardine (17-9-2) [MW Title]
PRELIMINARY CARD
Nah-Shon Burrell vs. James Terry
Trevor Smith vs. Gian Villante
Ricky Legere vs. Christopher Spang
1 recs | 56 comments
This card looks like the template for how future Strikeforce cards are going to be like especially with all the prospects on the card. I’m fine with it, and there are many prospects here that are worth looking out for.
chrisbboy82 - January 3, 2012
I'm really rooting for Larkin here
but I think he’s going to be so focused on stopping the takedown that it will allow Mo to throw his hands.
Rob Young - January 3, 2012
Oh and who else thinks Jardine will miss weight?
Rob Young - January 3, 2012
wow, jardine looks terrible at 185
(protip – set the horizontal and vertical reduction the same)
some schmuck in texas - January 3, 2012
It’s SF’s official picture, exactly like that.
Tim Burke - January 3, 2012
WAU
I have no words.
some schmuck in texas - January 3, 2012
Helluva a lot of fun is right. Smart putting Rockhold and Amagov on the same card against known fighters like Lawler and Jardine, it sets up the next fight nicely. Nice to see some logical booking.
memitim - January 3, 2012 via mobile
If Woodley gets through Mein, who would he possibly have to challenge for the title? And what happened to Kazuo Misaki after he signed to Strikeforce?
Baby Wads - January 3, 2012
Both Woodley and Mein’s camps have been told they’ll get a title shot if they win the bout.
As for Misaki, I could be wrong, but I believe he was in the car accident along with Riki Fukuda. I know he was training at Tiger Muay Thai late last year though, so I’m not sure what his status is.
Tim Burke - January 3, 2012
What I meant to ask was if he was given a shot at the vacant title, which other WW’s do they have with enough legitimacy to challenge Woodley for it? Also that’s sad news about Misaki. Strikeforce could use more recognizable names like him.
Baby Wads - January 3, 2012
Jason High might be the only real option, unless they bring someone in from the UFC.
Tim Burke - January 3, 2012
That could be a decent match up, especially if they promote it in Missouri
Robert V-U - January 3, 2012
I think they are just banking on Jardine dropping down to get the shot after losing to Rockhold.
Jeffigatame - January 3, 2012
Maybe Woodley should just be named Strikeforce WW champ. Marquardt and Askren would be good opponents but SF has nobody.
Bolshevik - January 3, 2012
Maybe a Saffiedine rematch?
After seeing the Daley fight I think he might be a three round fighter.
discoandherpes - January 4, 2012
And Dana White criticised Strikforce for putting on one-sided fights.
Now Zuffa are doing the exact same thing. These look like a bunch of squash fights to me. But as you say, that can be a heck of a lot of fun.
Bill P. - January 3, 2012
Really? I think everything’s pretty competitive except the Stinson/Saffiedine fight.
Tim Burke - January 3, 2012
Larkin's super fun to watch
but I don’t give him a shot at stopping Mo before he’s on his back for the rest of the round
some schmuck in texas - January 3, 2012
Just take a look at these odds:
Luke Rockhold -450
Keith Jardine +350
Robbie Lawler -215
Adlan Amagov +175
Muhammed Lawal -455
Lorenz Larkin +305
Tyron Woodley -450
Jordan Mein +300
Tarec Saffiedine -300
Tyler Stinson +230
Bill P. - January 3, 2012
Some nice action on Larkin and Mein there.
memitim - January 3, 2012 via mobile
yeah, Mein and Larkin looking like good bets
Robert V-U - January 3, 2012
Mein at +300 is hilarious. I’m all over that.
Tim Burke - January 3, 2012
Would anyone mind giving some additional information on Amagov? I’ve never heard of him before. Interesting card, I suppose. How is Larkin’s takedown defense?
KyroJudo - January 3, 2012
Amagov is a solid striker who’s been working on his grappling lately. Here’s a sick KO of his, and his SF finish of Anthony Smith.
Tim Burke - January 3, 2012
Damn thats gonna be a good fight
rscott94 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
That spinning back kick KO is beautiful
Robert V-U - January 3, 2012
Amagov is a badass Chechen striker with Sambo and kickboxing skills. He and Robbie should slug it out and deliver an entertaining bout.
We haven’t really seen Larkin’s TDD tested yet but he looked good on the ground in his last fight against Rossborough and also against Villante. If he show solid TDD on Saturday his stock triples in my eyes.
memitim - January 3, 2012 via mobile
He completly shut down Gian Villante's TD's
after round.
And Villante was very good D-1 wrestler and football player.
TheFilt - January 3, 2012
But Villante was very tentative in his takedowns, as he should be coming off his last bout and Larkin’s speed and power. Mo will really test him. I hope he shows the same resolve and makes Mo pay for his shots.
memitim - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Where the fuck has Paul Daley been at?
rscott94 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
He's still listed on Strikeforce.com
But he has picked up a pair of wins in separate promotions since the Diaz fight.
Baby Wads - January 3, 2012
His last fight in SF was Tyron Woodley
rscott94 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
That fight totally slipped my mind for some reason.
Baby Wads - January 4, 2012
I'm rooting for Larkin
But I feel like he’ll lose.
Chris Groves - January 3, 2012
I google image searched "Jardine logo" and this came up
Earl Montclair - January 3, 2012
needs to be a tattoo
fuck no I’m not volunteering
some schmuck in texas - January 3, 2012
Matt
Roth
Bolshevik - January 3, 2012
Nailed it.
Earl Montclair - January 4, 2012
Black Flag and Justin Bieber?
Henry Rollins is rolling in his grave right now.
aaronb - January 3, 2012
isn't rollins alive ?
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012
That’s funny
phantom5691 - January 4, 2012
Chris Spang is fighting Ricky Legere Jr. on the undercard as well
Robert V-U - January 3, 2012
Does Jardine have a chance to win the fight ?
MMA214 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
No.
Chris Hall - January 3, 2012
It’s MMA so there is always a chance. Saying that though… I doubt it.
Empty Thoughts - January 3, 2012
King Mo vs. Lorenz Larkin is the most interesting fight to me but has the potential to be boring. This is a pretty good card; I definitely wouldn’t miss it.
Bolshevik - January 3, 2012
Miesha?
Are you sure you dont mean Marloes Coenen?
yellopanda - January 4, 2012
Miesha has been complaining about Ronda Rousey getting a potential shot in her first bout at 135.
Tim Burke - January 4, 2012
atleast there’s a showtime free preview for a week. I want to see Woodley and King Mo
Randy Marsh - January 4, 2012
Looks like the way fighters get title shots
Is the only aspect of Strikeforce that ended up being “business as usual.”
Rob Young - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Firm1 - January 4, 2012
why is king mo not in the UFC?
phantom5691 - January 4, 2012
because he signed with Strikeforce?
Shnak - January 4, 2012
because DW doesn't know who he is...
RECE ROCK - January 4, 2012
WAR
T-Wood
cmons - January 4, 2012 via mobile
T-Wood is going to lose
And in a perfect world, Jardine is a champ somewhere. King Mo vs Larkin is going to be SICK KIIIID!
NEW-HAMPSHIRE - January 4, 2012
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