WKR Staff Picks Strikeforce in Miami

Nick Diaz (20-7) vs. Marius Zarmoskis (13-3)

Zach Krantz: This is a horrible match up for Zaromskis and not the best opportunity to showcase his skill set.  Diaz has a significant advantage on the floor and his long reach/slap jab will do a good job of keep Marius at a distance.  However, I except Diaz to try and out strike a striker which will be his downfall in the Main Event Upset.  Diaz's lack of power will not finish the fight and if he does not take the fight to the mat expect a Zaromskis victory via TKO 

Spencer Kyte: People talk about Nick Diaz like he's one of the top welterweights in the world, and to me, that is far from true. He's tough, he's got solid all-around skills, but he's not been facing the kind of competition that makes you a top 10 welterweight. Zaromskis isn't either, necessarily, but he's been finishing opponents in dominating fashion. I'll take "The Whitemare" for the upset... T/KO Round 2

Nick Becker: As long as Diaz can avoid walking right into a Zaromskis high kick, he should be able to take this one with ease. Diaz by TKO Round 2. 

Chris Shanks: Diaz second round submission. Not that I want that to happen, the Diaz brothers are dicks.

Zak Woods: Nick Diaz will be able to smother Marius with his jab and eventually finish the fight on the ground similar to what happened in the Scott Smith fight. Diaz via submission Round 3.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Miami

Champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (8-1) vs. Marloes Coenen (17-3)

Zach Krantz: This is a not a reference to her physical attractiveness, but Santos is a like a dude.  She appears to be so much more physically gifted than her competitors that I do not see her losing the fight.  Coenen is slicker on the mat, but I do not see the fight going down there.  When a sport is at their beginning such as WMMA is, there is usually a larger gap between the talent levels of the competitors.  Expect the usual as the stronger more dangerous Santos will win via TKO in round 1. 

Nick Becker: Coenen should consider it a moral victory if she makes it past the second round. Cyborg via TKO Round 3.  

Spencer Kyte: Until further notice, I'm always picking Cyborg. Coenen has a strong ground game and is a great fighter in her own right, but Cyborg is too big, too strong and too much like an actual cyborg to get beaten. Cyborg via T/KO Round 1.

Chris Shanks: Cyborg, first round TKO.

Zak Woods: "Cyborg" is in fact a cyborg and will take care of Marloes Coenen like she is Derek Reese. Cyborg via TKO Round 1.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Miami

Don't forget to check out our Pro's Picks at MMA Moneyline.

Robbie Lawler (16-5) vs. Melvin Manhoef (24-6-1)

Zach Krantz: Not a good match up for Robbie.  They are almost identical fighters except Manhoef is a little more versatile and has more experience.  I like Robbie and it is unfortunate how his tenure is being handled by Strikeforce, but we will see a win for Melvin on Saturday.  Expect a decision, just kidding, I got Manhoef via KO in Round 2. 

Nick Becker: This is should be one of the most brutal slugfests we've seen in a long time. I have a bit more confidence in Manhoef's chin than Lawler's - but who knows what'll happen. The only thing I'm expecting is to be thoroughly entertained. Manhoef by KO Round 1.

Spencer Kyte: Somebody is gonna get KTFO'd in this one and my money is on Robbie Lawler. While he should just walk out and use all his energy getting this fight to the ground, he's sure to stand-and-trade for a little, and that's all the time Manhoef needs to connect with one of those bombs he's always throwing. T/KO R1

Chris Shanks: Robbie Lawler 1st round TKO ground and pound.

Zak Woods: Please god tell me that Robbie isn't dumb enough to plan on turning this into a slugfest. If this fight were an 18th century naval battle Lawler simply has smaller cannons than Manhoef and deciding to trade broadsides seems to be the definition of stupidity. While I really hope Lawler is smarter than that --I definitely think he has a better chance of winning then most are giving him-- I am still going with Manhoef via split decison.

Herschel Walker (0-0) vs. Greg Nagy (1-1)

Zach Krantz: I have no problem with Herschel Walker getting into MMA.  He is a professional athlete who wants to test himself.  My resentment is toward Strikeforce who is putting a freak show to showcase a green fighter and draw attention to their event.  It bothers me that his fight is what is getting the attention, but that is not on Walker.  In the end we know what this is, Walker via TKO in round 1. 

Nick Becker: If Walker doesn't come away with the victory, I'll be shocked. Walker via TKO Round 1.

Spencer Kyte: I think this will be prettier than people think. Walker is a tremendous athlete and has been practicing various martial arts for years, so chances are we'll get more than an ugly win in the former Heisman winner's debut. That said, don't expect any flying armbars or omoplatas. T/KO Round 2.

Chris Shanks: Herchel Walker second round TKO - Strikeforce have picked someone that Walker can be so that they can continue to plug him as a star.

Zak Woods: Hand picked can opponent for Herschel should mean an easy victory but it will be interesting to see what happens if Nagy gets to the later rounds. Walker via TKO Round 1.

Bobby Lashley (4-0) vs. Wes Sims (22-12-1)

Zach Krantz: I have heard comparison between this fight and the Kimbo/Petruzelli fight.  I get that Sims is an ex UFC fighter going against a green marketing tool.  However, Bobby Lashley is not Kimbo Slice.  He is an excellent athlete and has a solid wrestling pedigree.  Plus Wes Sims was out of shape for TUF 10, how is he going to be ready in two weeks.  Has he really been training since the show?  Expect Lashley to take an easy TKO victory in Round 1. 

Nick Becker: Lashley will look to overwhelm Sims and end it early as he'll dominate him with some brutal ground-and-pound. Sims will "Hulk-Up" and land some solid right hands and the big boot. Lashley goes down and Sims will then hit the Leg Drop. The referee will ‘accidentally' get knocked unconscious and then Zak Jensen will run in with a steel chair. Jensen will nail Sims with a chair-shot and knock him out. Lashley by TKO Round 1.

Chris Shanks: Lashley first round TKO - Sims has not improved on or since TUF 10 and doesn't take fighting seriously

Spencer Kyte: Sims was wrestled to the ground and submitted by Justin Wren. Bobby Lashley is bigger and stronger than Justin Wren, and also a better wrestler. Do the math - anything first round smashing for the former WWE superstar.

Zak Woods: If Sims appearance on TUF 10 is any indication of what he will do at Strikeforce: Miami the guy is a complete and total shell of himself. While I may be betting on him as part of an insane parlay Bobby Lashley still runs through him like a warm knife through butter. Lashley via TKO Round 1.

Jay Hieron (18-4) vs. Joe Riggs (32-10)

Zach Krantz: Yes, yes we know Hieron is getting screwed.  Thankfully we can see this fight online.  If we actually talk about the fight we can discuss how Jay is a top 20 welterweight and Riggs looked bad in his win against Baroni.  Hieron is supposedly next in line (with a victory) for a title shot, so expect him to blow it.  We got ourselves a Unanimous Decision by Hieron.

Spencer Kyte: The last time Joe Riggs fought a "name" opponent, he went the distance with Phil Baroni. Let me repeat that: he went the distance with Phil "My Gas Tank is Good for 3 Minutes Max" Baroni. Now he faces the NYBA's former teammate and close friend, who happens to be riding a six-fight winning streak and is hungry for the title shot Strikeforce promised him when he signed his contract. Hieron, TKO Round 2.

Nick Becker: Riggs has always been a very inconsistent fighter and Hieron certainly has a lot more tools and ways to win than ‘Diesel'. Count on ‘The Thoroughbred' making an emphatic statement that he deserves the first crack at the Diaz/Zaromskis winner. Hieron via KO Round 2.     

Zak Woods: Hieron via unanimous decision.