MMA Recap

"Strikeforce: Miami" Recap And Results

by Ben Anoa'i - 01-31-2010

Strikeforce kicked off their first show of the year at the Bank Atlantic Center in Miami Florida Saturday night. The televised portion of the event included Herschel Walker making his pro mma debut, Christine "Cyborg" Santos defending her women's title for the first time against Marloes Coenen and welterweights Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis fought for the vacant belt.

In a first for Strikeforce, a preliminary match was aired, albeit on EASports.com.  While there were issues with the stream, it was a good attempt to air a highly publicized fight between Jay Hieron and Joe Riggs.  The first round, Riggs kept pawing with his jab, but was unable to land any sort of combination.  Hieron on the other hand landed multiple shots including a spinning back kick.  The second round, Hieron controlled Riggs on the ground landing some big shots to Rigg's mid-section.  Both fighters cut each other in the third round, and Riggs stunned Hieron late in the round, but was unable to finish the fight.  In the end, the judges awarded Hieron the unanimous decision.

In the first televised bout, Bobby Lashley made his Strikeforce debut against former "Ultimate Fighter" contestant Wes Simms.  Lashley's first two opponents fell through and Simms took the fight on short notice.  Simms seemed to get the better of the first exchange, but Lashley quickly scored a double leg takedown and landed several big blows from the top.  Simms attempted a submission, but ended up giving up his back.  Lashley landed several shots with one forcing Simms to go completely flat and referee Troy Waugh to stop it.

Melvin Manhoef made his US debut against veteran Robbie Lawler.  Manhoef dominated the stand up from the opening moments.  He punished Lawler with brutal leg kicks and body shots that sent the former champ reeling.  Manhoef smelled blood and went in for the finish, but Lawler saw his opening and landed a big right hand flush on the chin of the Dutch kick boxer that sent him to the canvas.  Lawler followed the big right with a left hook and an extra right to knock Manhoef out cold.

Forty-seven year old Herschel Walker made his mixed martial arts debut against Greg Nagy.  After a slow start, Walker scored a takedown and landed strikes from the top.  Nagy attempted a couple of submissions but could not put the former NFL player in any danger.  Walker continued to impress the announcers through out the second and third round with little details of his game.  In the third round, Walker got Nagy's back and landed multiple shots before the referee stopped it.

Cristiane "Cybor" Santos defended her women's lightweight championship belt against the highly experienced Marloes Coenen.  Both fighters came out with big shots before working their clinch game.  Santos scored multiple take downs through out the fight punishing Coenen with shot after shot.  Coenen landed a big right that didn't faze Santos at all which was probably the turning point.  In the third round, Santos landed shots with ease and forced the referee stoppage.

In the main event of the night, Nick Diaz faced DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight belt.  Zaromskis came out with a flying jump kick that did not seem to surprise Diaz.  Both fighters began to slug it out in the middle of the cage before Diaz would clinch up and land several knees to Zaromskis' right knee.  After freeing himself of the position, both fighters began to throw blow after blow without attempting any defensive.  Diaz began to utilize his reach advantage, landing punch after punch.  With less than thirty seconds remaining, Diaz landed a big right hand that put Zaroskis down and crowned Diaz the new Strikeforce welterweight champion.

Quick Results:
    •    Micahel Byrnes def. David Zitnik via majority decision (29-29, 30-27, 30-27)*
    •    Nick Diaz def. Marius Zaromskis via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 4:38
    •    Champ Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos def. Marloes Coenen via TKO (strikes) - Round 3, 3:40
    •    Herschel Walker def. Greg Nagy via TKO (strikes) - Round 3, 2:17
    •    Robbie Lawler def. Melvin Manhoef via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 3:33
    •    Bobby Lashley def. Wes Sims via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:06
    •    Jay Hieron def. Joe Riggs via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
    •    Joe Ray def. John Clarke via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:14
    •    David Gomez def. Craig Oxley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    •    Pablo Alfonso def. Marcos DaMatta via submission (armbar) - Round 1, 1:47
    •    Hayder Hassan def. Ryan Keenan via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 2:42
    •    John Kelly def. Sabah Homasi via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 2:48

*Byrnes and Zitnik were originally scheduled to fight on the preliminary card, but due to time constraints fought after the main event between Diaz and Zaromskis.

 

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