Dan Henderson – Rafael Cavalcante: Strikeforce Shocking Results
By Kevin Nelson
In Columbus , Ohio Dan Henderson, 26-7, uncorked his famous right hand and scored a devastating KO over Rafael Feijao Cavalcante, 10-3, in the 3rd round to claim the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title. The first round began with Feijao hurting Henderson going in for the finish only to be taken down.
The second was a Henderson round in which he took Feijao down repeatedly. In the 3rd the H-Bomb was landed and that was all she wrote as the highlight reel KO’s Henderson has amassed just added another collection to the already impressive footage.
The Strikeforce Light heavyweight title has now changed hands from Bobby Southworth, Babalu, Mousasi, King Mo, Feijao and now Henderson. Every time, the title has been a title that has been lost in the first defense.
Henderson plans on changing that.
Other notable wins was the Strikeforce woman’s welterweight champion Marloes Coenen, 19-4, defeating Liz Carmouche, 5-1, by fourth round triangle choke in a bout Coenen was losing badly. Carmouche was beating her throughout the fight and looked to be pulling off an upset when Coenen secured the triangle choke and the victory.
Tim Kennedy defeated Melvin Manhoef by submission at 3:41 of the first round. In lightweight action Jorge Masvidal, 21-6, out boxed the undefeated Billy Evangelista, 11-1, to secure a decision win over the previously undefeated Evangelista.
Strikeforce aftermath
With the win Dan Henderson will next defend his title against the Mike Kyle/Gegard Mousasi winner which takes place in April. Marloes Coenen will defend her title most likely against Miesha Tate next. Jorge Masvidal might face the winner of the Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuyai Kawajira bout in April.
The middleweight division is in a bit of a mess in Strikeforce right now as there are no clear cut contenders for Ronald Jacare Souza as Tim Kennedy, Robbie Lawler and Luke Rockhold are pretty much the remaining contenders with Jacare having already faced Miller twice and beaten Kennedy and Lawler. Strikeforce needs to bring in some new talent in its welterweight and middleweight division.
While the woman’s welterweight division is providing some interesting contenders with the emergence of Liz Carmouche, Sarah Kaufman and Miesha Tate.