Nick Diaz – Paul Daley: Strikeforce Shocking Results
By Ben Bieker
Nick Diaz (25-7-0-1 #9 Welterweight) def. Paul “Semtex” Daley (27-10-2 #8 Welterweight) by TKO at 4:57 of Round 1
Nick’s ego almost got the best of him in this fight. He did use his cocky style of boxing where he tries to lure his opponent into strike. In this fight, he lured his opponent in but almost got more than he bargained for. Dropped on more than one occasion it looked as if Daley would almost pull off the upset, but it didn’t happen. Diaz is smarter than that and has too big of an ego to lose that way. He eventually beat Paul at his own game by taking him out with strikes. I like Diaz because he is a true character in the sport of MMA, but he would have had an easier time if he just took the fight to the ground. He likes to beat fighters in their own area, but that can get dangerous. I doubt Diaz strives to be the best in the world because that is not what is important to him, but he could be if he just used better game plans.
Next for Nick Diaz: He needs one are of his game tested. He has fought world class strikers and knocked them out and fought top ground fighters and hung, but he needs to see if h gained takedown defense. If he challenges GSP one day he will need to be ready and without a good takedown defense he will be slaughtered. Tyron Woodley is 6-0 in Strikeforce; that warrants a title shot in my book.
Next for Paul Daley: James Terry has had two decent knockouts in a row. I want to see these two hook it up to really test each other’s chins.
Co-Main Event:
Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (19-2-0 #2 Lightweight) def. Tatsuya “Crusher” Kawajiri (27-7-2 #8 Lightweight) by TKO at 3:14 of round 1
Like most fights on this card it is hard to say much because they all ended so quick. I knew this fight was going to go in Melendez’s favor; I just did not know it would be so quick. I guess that is what happens when you are 21 fighting a 27 year old and you have about five years to grow. You get better. Now, Melendez is at the top of his game, while Tatsuya has started to slip. Gilbert posed the question, after his dominating performance, if people wanted the Strikeforce and UFC titles unified. At this point I don’t know if it is possible, but if it is make it happen.
Next for Gilbert Melendez: He wants the winner of the Grey Maynard and Frankie Edgar fight. If that cannot happen then let him fight Justin Wilcox. A five fight win streak and he poses some interesting threats to Melendez.
Next for Tatsuya Kawajiri: K.J. Noons needs an opponent to return the Lightweight rankings again. Kawajiri is as good as any top shelf fighter at 155.
Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi (30-3-2) and Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine (17-9-2) draw
Fans were split on the decision, but ti was the right call. Jardine definitely won the first and the second round was close. Jardine secured 4 takedowns in the first, and Mousasi’s punches seemed to swing wild, but never really land on Jardine’s head. People are calling for a rematch, but Jardine wants to drop to 185 so let him. If he would have had a full training camp he most likely would have won since much of the loss came due to fatigue.
Next for Gegard Mousasi: Supposed to fight for the title if he won, but he didn’t. Supposed to fight mike Kyle, but he didn’t. Well, let’s fulfill one of those things by Mike Kyle being his next opponent.
Next for Keith Jardine: 185 and a shot at Robbie Lawler would show how ell his chin could hold at the new weight.
Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki (27-5-0-1 #6 Lightweight) def. Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (15-2-0) by submission at 1:33 of round 1
Can call a fight much easier than this. Aoki dominated just as he should. Lyle stated that 155 or 145 could be a good match. After this fight I do not believe that Lyle is a good match at 155. If he can drop down another weight class then it is definitely advantageous for him to drop down another 10 pounds. There is not a 145 division in Strikeforce, but they could always start one.
Next for Shinya Aoki: Pat Healy gave Lyle his first loss, while Shinya gave him his second. Why not let the two fighters decide who beat him better.
Next for Lyle Beerbohm: He needs to drop and work on his ground game to get better.