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Will Gegard Mousasi regain the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title in an expected bout against the winner of "King Mo" vs. Lorenz Larkin? Why or why not?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Mousasi will chew up Lorenz Larkin, but he'd be looking at a rinse and repeat versus Mo Lawal. As we all knew going into his fight with Ovince St-Preux, Mousasi is very capable of dominating overmatched inexperienced fighters who can't get him to the ground. But I didn't see anything on Saturday night, or since Mousasi lost to Lawal in 2010 to indicate that Mousasi's takedown defense has improved by leaps and bounds. Lorenz Larkin, like OSP, is a tantalizing prospect. But since he made the mistake of signing with Strikeforce, he's either going to dominate overwhelmed opponents that can't hang with him, or he's going to be pushed into the spotlight against an opponent he has no chance against. In a just world, Larkin (and OSP for that matter) would be fighting on undercards of UFC shows against similarly talented fighters. Instead Larkin and OSP are stuck dominating guys who have no business in the cage with them (Gian Villante, Joe Cason, etc) and as a result they get nothing more than a paycheck and a 'W', or they get overwhelmed by a Gegard Mousasi or a Mo Lawal, and they get nothing but a paycheck, a 'L', and a beating.
And here I thought I wouldn't be able to continually rip on Strikeforce in 2012 and beyond.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Mousasi gets the belt back, but only if he implements his gameplan and fights to his potential. The last time he fought King Mo he laid on his back for the whole fight. I know King Mo had something to do with that, but Mousasi looked listless and disinterested in the last fight. If he comes to win, I think he can beat either guy.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Gegard Mousasi should win against either King Mo vs. Lorenz Larkin. He is one of the most well rounded fighters in the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight division. He matches up well against either fighter, and if he utilizes the strength of his striking game, he should definitely win.
ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
No. I see King Mo winning the rematch with his wrestling abilities, the same skills that gave him the edge in his first bout with Mousasi.
ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Assuming "King Mo" gets past Larkin, I don't see Mousasi getting the belt anytime soon. "King Mo" has already defeated Mousasi and while it looks as if Mousasi has sort of peaked, "King Mo" continues to get better and better with each fight. Expect Mousasi to be highly disappointed in a supposed rematch against "King Mo."
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