Strikeforce - Shields and Rogers

Despite the announcing crew declaring Jake Shields and Brett Rogers major underdogs who would be knocked out quite easy, the opposite proved true at Saturday's Strikeforce event.

Five fights made the broadcast, starting off with decision victories for Mike Whitehead and Joe Riggs. Riggs broke both hands in his fight with Phil Baroni. Whitehead outpointed Kevin Randleman and ate a big shot in the third, but worked through it.

Nick Diaz def Scott Smith via Sub (Rear-Naked Choke) R3, 1:41- Diaz played with Smith throughout the bout, landing strikes from all angles. In the third, Diaz was able to utilize his ground game and get the choke.

Brett Rogers def Andrei Arlovski via TKO (Punches) R1, 0:22- Brett Rogers came out to answer the step up in competition, fighting to get his family a new house. The big bruiser, pushing 262 pounds, struck Arlovski square in the face, and didn't stop, punishing Arlovski as his eyes rolled back and Big John McCarthy stepped in.

Jake Shields def Robbie Lawler via Sub (Guillotine) R1, 2:02- Jake Shields made a resounding splash at 182 pounds. He landed some kicks while taking punches from Robbie Lawler. Shields attempted a takedown, but was denied. At that point Gus Johnson and Mauro Ranallo(announcers) gave the fight to Lawler. However, as Lawler fought off another takedown with an underhook, Shields sunk in a tight guillotine choke and ended the fight.


(Jake Shields pictured, non-title fight against Lawler)

Mike Whitehead def Kevin Randleman via Dec (Unanimous)
Joe Riggs def Phil Baroni via Dec (Unanimous)
Jesse Finney def Josh Bumgarner via sub (keylock) R1, 1:55
Mike Kyle def Rafael Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) R2, 4:05
Booker DeRousse def James Wade via TKO (strikes) R1, 4:06
Lucas Lopes def Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (illegal knee) R1, 3:26
Pat Benson def Dave Cochran via sub (triangle choke) R1, 2:18
Tyron Woodley def Salvoder Woods via sub (north-south choke) R1, 4:20

Affliction - Banned

AFFLICTION - BANNED

Below is a rumored all-star card for the inaugural Affliction show. Affliction has a whopping seven current top twenty heavyweights according to MMA Blaster rankings. Almost every fighter on the card has fought on the main stage in the UFC, Pride, IFL or BoDog. The show will air on pay per view, and reportedly have a big music act as well. Megadeth has been mentioned as a possibility.



Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) vs. Tim Sylvia (24-4)- Finally we get to see number one heavyweight Fedor fight a legit heavyweight threat in former UFC Champ Tim Sylvia. Sylvia lost his UFC heavyweight crown to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81. Fedor beat massive Hong Man Choi in his last fight. Sylvia will try to use his 6'8" frame and reach advantage to box with Fedor. Sylvia was 9-4 in the UFC.


Josh Barnett (20-5) vs. Pedro Rizzo (16-7)- Former UFC heavyweight champs Josh Barnet and Pedro Rizzo are squaring off against each other in this rematch. Rizzo has a KO victory over Josh at UFC 30, and last won against Jeff Monson in last September's Art of War 3 show. Below is a gif from Barnett v. Yoshida. Barnett has beat Monson and Yoshida after a very close split decision loss to Big Nog.


Ben Rothwell (29-5) vs. Andrei Arlovski (12-5)- IFL heavyweight sensation Ben Rothwell (29-5) should be in action against former UFC HW Champ Andrei Arlovski (13-5). The heavy-handed Rothwell last won a unanimous decision over Ricco Rodriguez in September. Rothwell is on a 13 fight win streak. Arlovski is on a three fight win streak against heavyweights Marcio Cruz, Fabricio Werdum, and Jake O'Brien. This will be Arlovski's first fight outside the UFC since May of 2000.

Matt Lindland (20-5) vs. Fabio Nascimento (19-5)- On the same note we finally get to see UFC/IFL/Bodog veteran Matt Lindland fight again. The former UFC middleweight contender has been on the shelf since his loss to Fedor at heavyweight last April. Lindland has been making a successful run at a state Representative spot in Oregon.

Renato "Babalu" Sobral (29-7) vs. Mike Whitehead (20-5)- Mike Whitehead is on an eleven fight win streak in the IFL and regional fight promotions. He is facing released UFC fighter Babalu Sobral. Sobral won his first match outside the UFC against Rodney Faverus (24-15). Babalu was booted from the UFC following the infamous David Heath choke incident.

Vitor Belfort (16-8) v. Terry Martin (17-4)- Another interesting fight is between Terry Martin and Vitor Belfort. Martin has won a boxing match and his last MMA match. Former UFC Champ Belfort won twice last year in Cage Rage, but hasn't fought this year. Vitor won the LHW Belt from Randy Couture at UFC 46.

Paul Buentello (23-10) vs. Aleksander Emelianenko (13-3)- Alistair Overeem recently defeated Buentello for the Strikeforce heavyweight title. Fedor's brother, Aleks, is coming off a victories over Silvao Santos, Dan Bobish, Jessie Gibson and Eric Pele.

UNDERCARD
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (13-3) v. *Edwin Dewees (38-12)
Mark Hominick (15-8) vs. Savant Young (9-7)
JJ Ambrose (9-1) vs. Mike Pyle (15-5)

+Some fights will air on FSN before the ppv broadcast.
++Check out the Inside MMA show for more information.
+++The UFC will run an Ultimate Fight Night to cut away at the debut show.

New Team Event - Josh Barnett, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Gokor Chivichyan Coaches

Anaylsis by the Blaster

Apparently another mixed martial arts promotion from Vegas is starting a new event using a team format, ala IFL, called Ring of Fire. They have three very recognizable names in Shamrock, Gracie and Barnett, but Gokor is probably only recognizable to hardcore fans of judo and sambo, as well as Armenians. I don't think they will be fighting, but a Gracie v. Shamrock fight would be nostalgic.

Since the promotion's first event is in the Philippines, I have doubts that we in the US and Europe will get to see much of the action. I am guessing the best way to catch these fights will be the internet. Ken Shamrock is apparently still a coach for the IFL season, don't worry about him jumping ship.

The teams:

Team Gracie - Cleber Luciano (1-2), Jorge Patino (20-10), Daniel Serafian (?), John Marsh (7-6) and Katrine Alendal (0-1).

Team Barnett - Koji Oishi (15-7), Yuki Kondo (47-20), Renato “Babalu” Sobral (28-7), Jeff Monson (23-7) and Ginele Marquez (5-7).

Team Gokar - Karen Darabedyan (2-0), August Wallen (2-1), Rodney Faverus (24-13, KO of Manhoef, w's over Riggs, Kongo, but 2-5 in last 7), Hakim Gouram(?) and Amanda Buckner (10-4).

Team Lion’s Den - Evan Dunham (4-0, small shows), Kyacey Uscola (13-10, 3 straightlosses), Mike Whitehead (19-5, 10 straight wins), Ricco Rodriguez (26-7) and Tonya Evinger (4-3).

Looking at the teams, from left to right for weight classes, it seems that Team Barnett is the clear favorite. Babalu, Monson, Oishi, and Kondo would make a killer IFL team on their own. Right behind I would put Shamrock's team. Teams Gokor and Gracie look to be a touch behind in terms of talent and experience, even though Buckner is probably the most talented of the women. Babalu v. Whitehead would be a good matchup as would Rodriguez v. Monson.

*Why use Ring of Fire? That is a pretty lame name to choose considering it is also the name of a promotion in Colorado, and a Johnny Cash song. Why not come up with something more unique? **The MMA Blaster is full of ideas**


Stock photo of Josh Barnett used incidentally to story.