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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Strikeforce's 2011 campaign comes to a close on Saturday night with a Lightweight Championship bout between Gilbert Melendez and Jorge Masvidal, along with three other fights in the final event on the organization's current deal with Showtime. Emanating from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif., the four-fight card features some of Strikeforce's remaining top fighters in some entertaining matchups. Here's a brief look at what's coming to Showtime this Saturday night:
Gilbert Melendez vs. Jorge Masvidal (Lightweight Championship):
The Strikeforce Lightweight Champion knows what this fight can be to him. Off five straight wins and continually being placed into conversation as one of the top lightweight fighters in the world, Melendez knows that there is a contingent that expects him to choke in this spot. He's rolled through his last five opponents in increasingly impressive performances, and his striking has continued to come along to complement his already fantastic top game.
Masvidal has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career, but in his last two fights against Billy Evangelista and K.J. Noons, he's put forth two of his best performances ever. He's got a very good striking game himself, and his wrestling game may be adept enough to keep up with Melendez.
He's going to give the reigning champ a fight here on Saturday night, as he's a game opponent for anyone, but Melendez is the better and more established fighter overall. Melendez will be out to make a statement in this one, and if he can connect as he did against Takaya in his last fight, and keep that killer instinct if he gets Masvidal in trouble, this is his fight to lose. Melendez by TKO in the second round.
Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. Hiroko Yamanaka (Women's Featherweight Championship:
"Cyborg" finally returns to the cage after 18 months out of action, taking on 12-1 Japanese fighter Hiroko Yamanaka. Strikeforce has struggled to find credible opponents for "Cyborg," as outside of herself and Gina Carano, many of the top women fighters in the sport compete in a lower weight class, and many of her past opponents have indeed competed in lighter classes.
Though Yamanaka has only lost once and brings an eight fight winning streak into this event, she simply hasn't faced anyone like "Cyborg" before in her career, because there isn't another female fighter like "Cyborg" in the game right now.
The concern for the champ right now is the really long layoff, but she wasn't out because of injury, and should be in great shape in her return. Yamanaka is tough, but this is clearly a fight "Cyborg" is, and should be, expected to win.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St-Preux (Light Heavyweight):
This is a huge step up in competition for the exciting Ovince St-Preux, entering the event on an eight-fight winning streak and looking to take out the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.
Mousasi returns to Strikeforce for just the second time since losing his title to Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, though he's picked up three wins in Japan in DREAM in the meantime. His sole appearance in Strikeforce came in April, when he went to a controversial draw with Keith Jardine in a fight most felt should have been his.
Mousasi is the much better striker, and a very dangerous submission specialist as well. However, St-Preux's wrestling game could give Mousasi similar problems to what he faced against Lawal if he stays relentless on it. That said, St-Preux isn't as decorated a wrestler, and Mousasi's takedown defense has to have gotten better since that fight. St-Preux is a ton of fun to watch, but this fight may be too big of a leap from the level he's been facing in his career thus far. Mousasi by submission in the second round.
K.J. Noons vs. Billy Evangelista (Lightweight):
Both Noons and Evangelista enter this bout looking to rebound from losses to Masvidal this year. Evangelista dropped a decision to Masvidal in March, and then Masvidal earned his shot on this card against Melendez by beating Noons in June.
Evangelista is a decent striker with a good wrestling game, but Noons has enough of a ground game to keep the fight where he likes to be: standing. Noons' boxing is very good, and a level above what Evangelista will bring into the fight, and even though Evangelista just suffered his first loss in March, Noons should be expected to hand him a second. Noons by decision.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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