Strikeforce Evolution Preview

Dana White has taken a few jabs at Showtime and then Srikeforce which comes as no surprise to anyone who has ever heard the name Dana White.  As one would expect most of his comments sound bitter or are business statement more than fact.  However, one comment he made appears to be true and while it may be a hindrance for the California based company it is a bonus for fans.  White proposed that Strikeforce had too many fighters and not enough shows.  While Strikeforce may eventually run in problems meeting contractual obligations it means that for now their fight cards are stacked.  The partnership with Dream has really been a nice bonus for American fans as well.  Saturday night is no different as Strikeforce Evolution is a solid card from top to bottom.  At least the main card, because who the shit is Juan Nunez?

Fight Previews After the Jump:

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Evolution

Cung Le (6-0) vs. Scott Smith (16-6): This will most likely be the most exciting fight on the card.  A good amount of the hard core MMA fans have a problem with both fighters as neither has displayed any type of ground game.  Cung Le has put his MMA career on the backburner to star co-star have roles in blockbuster b-list movies Pandorum.  Smith is a true bralwer and fun to watch, but he is one dimensional and not technical at that one dimension.  In the end, Cung Le is a more polished fighter and Scott Smith thinks he earns points for getting hit in the face.  I will be rooting for Smith as you would be hard pressed to find a fighter with more fight in them than Smith, but in the end this Cung's fight to lose and I do not see how that can happen.

Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson (16-2) vs. Interim LW Champion Gilbert Melendez (16-2): The most intriguing fight on the card with the most well rounded and probably talented fighters we will see at Strikeforce Evolution.  This is also a showcase opportunity for both fighters.  The lightweight division (as a whole) is considered the weakest in the UFC and both these men are considered top lightweights in the world.  This is a rematch of their June 2008 fight were Thomson took the belt from Melendez via a unanimous decision.  Despite only being a year and a half ago Melendez showed further improved wrestling when he beat Mitsuhiro Ishida in August to avenge the other loss on his record.  This could play a factor as he wasted a lot of energy trying to take Thomson down in the first fight.  Thomson is also coming off a year plus layoff due to a lingering ankle injury.  However, despite all that I feel that Thomson is the more well rounded fighter.  Fight rust may prove to be a concern or Melendez may have surpassed Thomson, but only a year ago Thomson was the MUCH better man the night they fought.  Even if Melendez can get Thomson down I feel Thomson is better on the mat.  Melendez best chance is get close and do some damage, but if Thomson ankle can take it my guess is he uses kicks to keep Melendez back.  Expect Thomson to walk away after unifying the Lightweight belt.

Ronaldo de Souza (10-2) vs. Matt Lindland (21-6): Souza is a BJJ master and potentially the best submission fighter in MMA, I said potentially people, relax.  Lindland is a Silver Medal winner in wrestling and a UFC legend.  While Lindland might not be the man he was eight years ago in the Olympics or the fighter from five years ago who fought in the UFC, but he is still a legitimate MMA competitor.  People maybe guessing Matt after the disurbing Belfort loss, but this is not a Don Frye situation in front of us.  His wrestling base is still strong and he is 10-3 in his last 13.  Those three loses are to Rampage, Belfort, and a guy by the name of Fedor.  Souza, while a top middleweight lost to his toughest competition, Mousasi.  Lindland has been submitted before and does not really have the striking or one punch power to end this on the feet.  Expect the fight to eventually hit the mat and Souza to lock in the submission.

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (5-0) vs. Mike Whitehead (24-7): Lawal's pre-fight theatrics and personality made him a top draw overseas, but do not let that misguide you about his talent.  It is definitely there and he is a real prospect, not just fluff.  Whitehead is solid fighter and veteran, but he is outmatched here.  The fight is perfect for Lawal in that he should win, but it is against a solid fighter where a win will help legitimize his record.  Whitehead has above average striking, but not the KO power to finish King Mo and despite loopy punches King Mo has the power to end it with one punch.  Lawal is also an amazing (not overstatement) wrestler with amazing takedowns.  Based off Whitehead's fight against Randleman he will not have the takedown defense or cardio to win this fight.  Expect Lawal to get the takedown and finish with some dominating ground and pound.

Antwain Britt vs. Scott Lighty: With the Lawler fight off the card I am not sure if Strikeforce is going to bump any prelim fights up to the main card, but if they do it will be the Britt/Lighty fight.  Lighty might not be at Tyrone Woodley level, but he is a solid prospect within Strikeforce.  Britt was a member of The Ultimate Fighter who had to leave due to an injury he recieved after winning his entry fight.  Britt has solid power and I was actually on hand to watch him KO Antonio Mendes in 8 seconds.  However, two of his losses come via submission and his ground game has been suspect.  Britt will be a nice edition to Strikeforce and provide them with some exciting fights, but Lighty is the more legitimate prospect which will show on Saturday.  Expect Lighty to take the fight to the ground and walk away with the W.