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We are less than 24 hours away from the biggest event in the history of southern California based promotion Strikeforce, as they make their network television debut tomorrow night with Fedor Emelianenko's organizational debut against undefeated Brett Rogers in the night's main event. There are four fights on the main card, and all should provide varying levels of competitiveness and entertainment. Suffice it to say, this should be a very enjoyable event, and I will be live and in person to report on the fights tomorrow night. Now, onto some thoughts and fight picks!
Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva: Despite a quick victory over natural light heavyweight Mike Kyle in his Strikeforce debut in August, Werdum still has some questions surrounding him after the knockout loss he suffered at the hands of Junior Dos Santos last year. He is a good heavyweight fighter, but I'm surprised he's listed as such a favorite on the books against "Bigfoot." Silva's not going to be an easy fight for him, and I suspect we've got a very good heavyweight fight on our hands here tomorrow night. I think "Bigfoot" provides a very stiff test and I think he'll take the slight upset via unanimous decision.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou: We've seen this fight play out before, and this could very well be a carbon copy of the last few fights Sokoudjou has fought against guys without the surnames Sapp and Nortje. In fact, I envision it being much like the Luiz Cane bout in his last UFC appearance. Sokoudjou, if he survives the first round against Mousasi, won't stand a chance once the fight moves past five minutes, and Mousasi picks up another impressive victory in Strikeforce with a second round TKO.
Jake Shields vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller: This Middleweight Title bout pits two fighters extremely tough to finish. Both have great ground games, with Shields taking a slight nod with better grappling overall, and comparable striking games, with Miller getting a slight edge in that department. This will either be an amazing back and forth fight or a possible boring stalemate. I'm hoping for the former, but no matter what this one likely ends with Jake Shields' hand raised in victory with a unanimous decision victory.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers: I'm throwing logic out the window with this prediction. Rogers is the underdog for a reason, and Fedor is considered the best fighter in the world for a reason. By all rights Fedor should win this fight 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 out of 10 times, because no one's been able to beat him and until someone does he will be given that respect time and time again. With all of that said, I've become a very big Brett Rogers fan in the last six months, both in meeting the man and talking to people in his camp up here in Minnesota. He's coming into this fight, this life changing fight, in the best shape of his career, prepared more than he's ever been, and I'm pulling with the heart and not the head in taking him to upset the #1 heavyweight in the world. I'm taking Brett Rogers via late first round TKO after he connects with a few of his massive punches and takes out "The Last Emporer."
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