Nick Diaz – Paul Daley: Strikeforce Predictions
Compiled by Sean Farrell
Strikeforce will be holding its first event under the Zuffa LLC. This Saturday night and they are showing it by having a stacked fight card on Showtime. This Saturday night there will be two title fights and a slew of Japan’s best MMA fighters showcasing their skills, and another surprise in store, the return of “the Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine to the cage. Strikeforce will not disappoint any fight fan this weekend and this is MUST SEE TV! Our well educated RSR MMA team has compiled our predictions for this Saturday night and hope all will be watching with us.
Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley for the Strikeforce WW Title
Ben Bieker
Nick Diaz is not a stupid fighter and while he does have the ability to stand with Daley he does not have to. He proved his durable stand up game in his last fight, but finished it with his ground game. Look for him to do that again with a second round submission.
Kevin Nelson
Daley has very good standup but so does Diaz. I feel most people will tell you that Daley has the better standup but they would be wrong. Although Daley has more power he tends to load up on shots instead of setting up his punches with a jab. Diaz is well rounded and I believe will ko Daley.
Sean Farrell
Although Nick Diaz isn’t one of my favorite fighters he is one of the best. Giving the credit where it’s due, I expect Diaz to trade early with Daley. But, eventually Diaz will get him to the ground, pulling out a slick submission from his HIGHLY underrated jiu-jitsu game for the win.
Kawajiri vs. Melendez
Ben Bieker
Kawajiri’s biggest strength is his ground game, but what will happen when he is faced with a fighter who can beat him their? He will lose plain and simple. Look for Melendez to wear on Kawajiri until he finishes it with ground and pound late in the fourth.
Kevin Nelson
Melendez has not fought in a year and should have some ring rust. Kawajiri has not been training in a cage and it should hinder his performance. These two are evenly Matched with their striking and ground game. I give Kawajiri the edge in the standup and Melendez the slight edge on the ground. The first time these two faced each other Melendez won a decision over Kawajiri but 5 years later both men are not the same fighters. I expect Kawajiri to win a decision over Melendez and upset the champion.
Sean Farrell
I expect the cage to give Kawajiri fits and for Melendez to capitalize on this using his wrestling and wall and stall tactics to fluster Kawajiri. It’s hard for me to go against Kawajiri but Melendez should eke out a controversial decision.
Aoki vs. Beerbohm
Ben Bieker
Shinya Aoki although having a string of bad luck is a great fighter. Lyle on the other hand is still off his way and coming off a loss. A step up in competition is not good when coming off a loss which will make it back-to-back losses. Aoki takes a decision or a late fight submission.
Kevin Nelson
This is an intriguing fight that involves a once promising contender in Beerbohm and a fading Japanese superstar Shinya Aoki. Make no mistake about it if Beerbohm takes Aoki to the ground he will lose. Aoki has only one tool that is work off his back, but it is a terrific tool. His standup is horrible and his wrestling is subpar. I still feel Aoki will pull out a submission as he has too much experience for Beerbohm. I personally feel Beerbohm is overrated.
Sean Farrell
I feel Aoki has had a rough string of bad luck and this fight may end that streak. Aoki gets his hands on Beerbohm while on the ground the fight is over there are no questions asked. Aoki is the most dangerous grappler in the world off his back and Beerbohm should take this fight to the ground eventually and become another highlight for the Tobikan Judan.
Mousasi vs. Jardine
Ben Bieker
Mousasi may not always fight the toughest competition or may have been scared away with his loss to King Mo. I don’t think he can’t win this fight, but i do not know his motivation too. I will go against the grain here and call for Jardine to work out a tough decision win.
Kevin Nelson
This is a fight Jardine is taking on short notice. Jardine has won a couple of fights since losing to Trevor Prangley while Mousasi remains a mystery as we are not quite sure how good he is yet. One of the problems that were exposed in his bout with King Mo was his lack of takedown defense. Jardine trains with Jackson MMA and has underrated wrestling. His standup is awkward and his chin is questionable but I see Jardine keeping this fight on the ground as he wins a decision over Mousasi.
Sean Farrell
Mousasi is a stud he is an elite fighter at 205 and won’t be given that credit until he starts doing those things in the UFC. Mousasi is going to get that chance against former UFC light heavyweight title contender Keith Jardine and will capitalize. Jardine brings a granite chin and unorthodox striking to the fight, however Mousasi is an elite kickboxer and boxer as well as a black belt in judo making him lethal on the ground. I expect Mousasi to win this fight by submission and continue to prove he is ELITE.