Strikeforce - Hendo and Coenen Reign

Strikeforce - Henderson v. Feijao proved an entertaining event with a miraculous come-back victory by Marloes Coenen for the women's 135 pound title. In addition, MMA pioneer Dan Henderson proved he still has big time power with a dramatic knockout of Brazilian powerhouse Rafael "Feijao" Calvancante.

Dan Henderson is a legend of the sport on mixed martial arts, beginning his career in 1997 following an extensive amateur wrestling career. Henderson has competed and won belts in the UFC, Rings, Pride and now Strikeforce. His decorated career has seen him notch victories over Renzo Gracie, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Vitor Belfort, Rich Franklin and Michael Bisping.

On Saturday night, Henderson looked to be giving up plenty of size the Feijao, who had taken the Strikeforce belt with a win over King Mo. In the first round, Feijao and Henderson traded punched before Henderson was dinged with a solid punch. In danger, Henderson bounced back with a takedown and cruised for the remainder of the round.

In the second, Henderson seemed to get the better of the grappling game, working the clinch to perfection. He was again able to get Calvancante to the ground, using technical Greco Roman wrestling. In the third round, Henderson turned the lights out on Feijao throwing a right hand glancing off his chin. Henderson pounced and punched it out.


In the women's title fight, ADCC 3rd place finisher and 22 fight veteran Marloes Coenen might not have known quite what was in store for her entering her fight with 5'4" military veteran Liz Carmouche.

Carmouche, using endless movement, came out like a firecracker against the champ. Following a very close first round, Carmouche's takedowns found their mark as she got Coenen to the ground. Working to full mount, Carmouche brought a relentless ground and pound attack, punishing Coenen.

The third round was more of the same, as Carmouche again landed a takedown directly to side mount, transitioning to full mount and raining down punches. Coenen again was unable to buck Carmouche, as she punished Coenen until the bell.

In the fourth, Coenen was ready for another takedown attempt from Carmouche. As Carmouche brought her to the ground, Coenen set up a triangle that got tighter and tighter, forcing Carmouche to tap at 1:29 of the 4th round.


In other action, special forces combat veteran Tim Kennedy notched a submission win over powerful Dutch striker Melvin Manhoef. Manhoef landed some nasty leg kicks early and defended the first three Kennedy takedown attempts, but one was all Kennedy needed. After getting his takedown, Kennedy took mount, Manhoef rolled, and the rear naked choke was secured.

Here are the full results:

MAIN CARD

Dan Henderson def Rafael Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) R3, 0:50
Marloes Coenen def Liz Carmouche via sub (triangle) R4, 1:29
Tim Kennedy def Melvin Manhoef via sub (RNC) R1, 3:41
Jorge Masvidal def Billy Evangelista via unanimous dec

PRELIMINARY CARD

Roger Bowling def Josh Thornburg via unanimous dec
Jorge Gurgel def Billy Vaughan via sub (guillotine) R1, 0:44
Jason Freeman def Jason Riley via sub (strikes) R1, 1:52
Brian Rogers def Ian Rammel via TKO (strikes) R1, 4:23
Mitch Whitesel def Marc Cofer via sub (guillotine) R1, 3:55
John Kuhner def J.P. Felty via sub (triangle) R2, 4:31

Strikeforce Miami Review

Strikeforce Miami was a great card of stunning comebacks, KO's and fights. Former football player Herschel Walker made a successful mixed martial arts debut, looking jacked up for the fight. However, American brawler Robbie Lawler and the Dutch powerhouse kickboxer Melvin Manhoef were to highlight of the card.

Starting off the night was a bout against talented wrestler Bobby Lashley fighting UFC veteran Wes Sims. After numerous opponents fell through, Wes Sims picked up the fight on less than 10 days notice. The fight ended predictibly, as Lashley was able to get around Wes Sims' ninja moves and pro wrestling "test of strength request" for a takedown. From there, a barrage of ground and pound ended Sims night at 2:06 in the first round.

Robbie Lawler pulled off the biggest come from behind win of the young 2010 MMA season in a stunning punch heard round the world. Melvin Manhoef came out like a wild animal, smashing Lawler's legs with devastating leg kicks that whipped around like a baseball bat.

As Manhoef began to land some combinations and punches, it looked as if Lawler's night was about to be over. Then after Manhoef again whacked Lawler's leg, Lawler came back with a right hand with tremendous power that floored Manhoef. Lawler laid down one more punch before the ref intervened.

Herschel Walker came into his MMA debut against Greg Nagy (1-1) with 6+ months of real MMA training at American Kickboxing Academy, but looked in great shape. Walker won the fight by getting Nagy to the ground and pounding him out. While Walker's footwork and striking looked like a guy making his debut, he showed great heart and conditioning. It is unclear whether Walker will fight again as he said it was up to his trainers.

(Herschel Walker pictured)

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos retained her women's 145 pound belt in a dominating TKO of Marloes Coenen. While Coenen was tough and tried every trick in the book, she lacked the strength to get Cyborg to the ground. While on the ground, Coenen had to work off her back, going for arm-bar attempts.

yborg was able to get the better of the action standing throughout the bout, though Coenen snuck in a couple nice shots landing one to Cyborg's jaw. In the third round, Coenen was hit with too much punishment while grounded and the ref called the fight. Expect Cyborg to fight Erin Toughill next. We could see Coenen go to a 135 pound tournament.

(Cris Cyborg pictured)

Nick Diaz sucessfully won Strikeforce's WW belt as he TKO'd the red hot Marius Zaromskis. Zaromskis came out a little wild looking to hurt Diaz with a big kick. But, Diaz simply used his reach and counter-punched Zaromskis, wobbling him, then locking up a clinch.

Diaz next battered Zaromskis' right legs with knees while pressed up against the fence. After the seperated, Diaz was able to land an uppercut then a short left to put Zaromskis on his back. Shortly thereafter the bout was called and Diaz was awarded the 170 pound belt.

(Nick Diaz pictured)

FULL RESULTS

Nick Diaz def Marius Zaromskis via TKO (strikes) R1, 4:38
Cris "Cyborg" Santos def. Marloes Coenen via TKO (strikes) R3, 3:40
Herschel Walker def Greg Nagy via TKO (strikes) R3, 2:17
Robbie Lawler def Melvin Manhoef via KO (punch) R1, 3:33
Bobby Lashley def Wes Sims via TKO (strikes) R1, 2:06

PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS

Jay Hieron def Joe Riggs via unanimous dec
Joe Ray def John Clarke via TKO (strikes) R1, 3:14
David Gomez def Craig Oxley via unanimous dec
Pablo Alfonso def Marcos DaMatta via sub (armbar) R1, 1:47
Hayder Hassan def Ryan Keenan via TKO (strikes) R2, 2:42
John Kelly def Sabah Homasi via sub (RNC) R1, 2:48
Micahel Byrnes def David Zitnik via majority dec

Strikeforce Preview

Showtime will have Strikeforce: Miami live on this Saturday, January 31, 2010. The fights take place at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis- This fight is for the Strikeforce 170 pound title. The brawl places the Stockton California bad boy Nick Diaz (20-7) against Dream 170 pound champ Marius Zaromskis (13-3). Expect Diaz to engage Zaromskis strength, engaging the Zaromskis standing, even though his best strategy would be getting the fight to the ground.

Nick Diaz has been on a roll since he abandonded Elite XC's 160 pound division. The fighter has always been better at 170 and above with his unorthodox stand-up. Diaz has defeated Scott Smith, Robbie Lawler, Frank Shamrock and Josh Neer in his career. The BJJ black belt will have a distinct grappling advantage over Zaromskis.

(Nick Diaz gogoplata win over Takanori Gomi)

Marius Zaromskis has been on a tremendous roll as of late KO'ing his last three opponents via head kick. To take the Dream WW Grand Prix title, he defeated Seichi Ikemoto before using the head kick to take out Mach Sakarai and Jason High in the same night.

(Marius Zaromskis pictured)

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. Marloes Coenen- This fight will be for the women's 145 pound championship. Cyborg Santos is a beast with her punching and kicking power. Coenen is a decent striker in her own right, but her main advantage is her submission skills.

After losing her first bout, the Brazilian Cyborg (8-1) has won 8 straight, including 6 TKO's and 2 decisions. To win the 145 pound belt, she destroyed America's MMA sweetheart Gina Carano in brutal fashion. Cyborg also has victories over Shayna Baszler, Hitomi Akano and Vanessa Porto. Cyborg has been nearly impossible to take down during that stretch.

(Cyborg Santos pictured)

Marloes Coenen (17-3) is Holland's premier female fighter with 10 years experience, winning 12 of her fights via submission. In her last fight, Coenen flashed her stand-up skills knocking down Roxanne Modafferi before latching on the fight ending arm-bar. Coenen has wins over Yoko Takahashi, Yuuki Kondo and Megumi Yabushita while fighting primarily in Japan.

(Marloes Coenen pictured)

Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef- This fight should be an slugfest with two of the better brawlers in MMA. Melvin Manhoef (24-6) is an awesome K-1 kickboxer, knocking out Kazou Misaki in his last bout in K-1: Dynamite. Manhoef also has KO's over Mark Hunt, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Fabio Silva.

(Melvin Manhoef pictured)

Robbie Lawler (16-5) is a solid brawler in his own right with KO's over Scott Smith, Joey Villasenor, Frank Trigg and Ninja Rua. The bane of each fighter has been the ground game. Lawler may resort to attempting takedowns to get the fight to the ground.

(Robbie Lawler pictured)

Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims- This fight pits rising wrestler Bobby Lashley (5-0) against super tall UFC veteran Wes Sims. Lashley will probably get a quick takedown before administering punishment on the TUF 10 conestent. Wes Sims did not look good at weigh-ins taking the fight on 10 days notice.

Greg Nagy vs. Herschel Walker- This fight pits 47 year old 6th degree Tae Kwon Do blackbelt and former football superstar Hershel Walker (0-0) against the relative unknown Greg Nagy (1-1). Herschel looked absolutley jacked at weigh-ins.

EA SPORTS ONLINE FIGHT

Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs

UNDERCARD

Pablo Alfonso vs. Marcos da Matta
Michael Byrnes vs. David Zitnik
Sabah Homasi vs. John Kelly
David Gomez vs. Craig Oxley
Hayder Hassan vs. Ryan Keenan