Strikeforce arrives in Miami tonight with a packed card at the Bell Atlantic Center in Sunrise, FL.  Prelminary bouts begin at 7:30pm, with the televised card airing on Showtime at 10pm EST.   Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis will square off for the vacant welterweight title while Christiane “Cyborg” Santos will make her first defense of the women’s featherweight title against Marloes Coenen.  Also featured on the card are the Strikeforce debuts of former NFL running back and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker and former WWE pro wrestler Bobby Lashley.

Benchwarmers United will bring you the play-by-play call of the action throughout the evening:

Preliminary Results:

• John Kelly def. Sabah Homasi via rear naked choke submission at 2:48 of Round 2.
• Hayder Hassan def. Ryan Keenan via knockout at 2:42 of Round 2
• Pablo Alfonso def. Marcos da Matta via arm bar submission at 1:47 of Round 1
• David Gomez def. Craig Oxley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Joe Ray def. John Clark via technical knockout at 3:14 of Round 1

Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs

Round 1

The fighters come out cautious feeling each other out. Hieron attacks first, lunging for body which he misses badly. Hieron follows the missed body shot with a weak front kick. Hieron nails Riggs with a solid right. Riggs appears shaken but is able to compose himself. Hieron launches head kicked that Riggs blocks. Riggs lunges with a Superman punch and misses, Hieron counters with a head kick that misses. The fighter toss jabs at each other. Hieron lands an inside leg kick and follows with a combination. Hieron lands kick to midsection. Another inside leg kick for Hieron. Riggs attempts another Superman punch and misses. Hieron follows with a takedown as the bells sounds.

Hieron easily takes Round 1, 10-9

Round 2

The fighters come out cautious again to start the round.  Hieron attacks first with a right, followed a combination that Riggs ducks away from.  Hieron throws a head kick and follows through with a takedown.  Hieron gets inside Riggs’ guard and lands a flurry of shots to the ribs.  Hieron goes for the head and misses, then returns back to the ribs.  Hieron continues to work the ribs, but doesn’t appear to be hurting Riggs.  Hieron now mixes in a few shots to the head, as Riggs is unable to get out from underneath.  Riggs is able to gain wrist control and halts the Hieron assault.  Hieron goes back to the ribs and Riggs midsection is beginning to turn purple from the barrage of shots he’s taken.  Hieron postures up and lands a big shot to the head.  Riggs scrambles and gets back to his feet.  Hieron lands a nasty knee to the body as the round closes.

Another clear and dominating round for Hieron, 10-9.

Round 3

The fighters touch gloves in the center to start the round.  Riggs strikes first, landing a hard right hook. The fighters scramble to the mat and Hieron gets the advantage position.  Riggs is bleeding heavily from the left eye now.  The blood is clearly affecting Riggs.  Hieron is doing little and the ref stands them up.  Hieron nails Riggs as he charges in, flooring the him.  Hieron scrambles for an advantage position and gets it on the mat.  Hieron begins working the ribs again as Riggs tries to work his way back to his feet along the cage wall.  Riggs attempts a kimura, but doesn’t have the position or leverage to hit it.  The ref stands the fighters up with 10 seconds lift, but there is not enought time for Riggs to pull out a miracle.

Another round to Hieron, 10-9

Official Result:  Hieron by unanimous decision 29-28, 30-27, 30-27

Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims

Round 1

Sims has a huge reach advantage over Lashley, as he towers over Lashley with his 6′8″ frame.  Sims looks like he took the fight on short notice, looking very soft in the belly.  Sims comes out as comedian asking for a pro wresting test of strength.  Lashley lunges for a shot due to the reach disadvantage.  Sims attempts knee but Lashley gets double leg takedown.  Sims is in full guard and Lashley pounds on the side of his head.  Lashley postures up and lands a couple of hard shots to Sims head.  Sims scrambles to his base position, Lashley takes his back and lands a shot or two.  Sims collapses from his base and is flat on mat. Lashley lands a glancing shot and the referee jumps in to stop the action.  A very premature stoppage.  Sims is very upset and arguing with the ref that he was not hurt.

Official Result:  Lashley by technical knockout at 2:06


Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef

Round 1

The fighters meet at center and begin feeling each other out in preparation for a stand up war.  Manhoef lands a front kick to the midsection.  Lawler lands a left head kick.  Manhoef lands a roundhouse kick to the ribs.  Lower leg kick by Lawler, Manhoef responds with the same.  Manhoef lands a combo and follow with flying front kick.  Another combo and kick to midsection again.  Manhoef lands some harsh lower leg kicks that appear to be bothering Lawler.  Manhoef lands a flurry of shots.  More lower leg kick by Manhoef and Lawler is limping.  Another combination by Manhoef.  Manhoef look to land another lower leg kich and Lawler connects with a vicious overhand right counter that knocks Manhoef out cold.  A stunning knockout as Lawler limps around the ring in celebration.  Manhoef is still down on the canvas being attended to by doctors.  Manhoef is finally up and alert.

Official Result:  Lawler by knockout at 3:33 of Round 1

Herschel Walker vs. Greg Nagy

Round 1

Walker looks in great physical shape.  Walker sticks a stiff lab jab to start the action followed by a leg kick.  Walker calls on Nagy to fight him.  Nagy attempts a takedown but Walker defends and gets a front headlock.  Walker circles around and scoops an ankle.  Walker gets a half mount and begins to tee off on Nagy.  Walker exposes his leg and presses his knee to Nagy’s chest.  Walker begins landing shots to the head.  Nagy goes for a heel hook but Walker rolls through.   Walker takes front headlock again.  Walker is now in side control and is landing to the head.  Walker now has a crucifix, pinning Nagy’s arm to mat as he lands lefts to the head.  The round comes to an end.

Clear round that goes to Walker, 10-9.

Round 2

Walker lands a leg kick and Nagy moves in for a clinch.  Walker locks up Nagy and takes him to the canvas.  Walker is on Nagy’s side raining down blows.  Walker now moves to Nagy’s back and flattens Nagy to the mat.  Nagy rolls to his back and Walker get a full mount, but is a little too high to land anything solid.  Nagy scrambles and Walker loses the mount.  Nagy stands up and Walker lands a knee to the head.  Walker has the front headlock again but is doing little with it.  Walker now circles around and gets Nagy’s back.   Walker is working for the choke but can’t get it.  Walker starts hammering blows to open up Nagy.  Walker is landing hammerfists to the back of the head and Nagy rolls to his back.  More shots to the head by Walker as the round comes to an end.

Pure dominating round by Walker, 10-8.

Round 3

Nagy comes out aggressive and lands two shots to Walker’s head.  They move to the cage wall and Walker gets the takedown.  Nagy goes for an arm bar, but Walker is able to defend.  Walker is again too high with the full mount and is unable to land anything damaging.  Nagy goes back to his stomach and Walker begins landing blows from Nagy’s back.  Nagy is told by ref to work and defend as Walker lands more blows.  The ref has seen enough and calls an end to the fight.

Official Result: Walker by technical knockout at 2:17 of Round 3


Christiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Marloes Coenen

Round 1

The ladies come out with a flurry, both attacking.  The fighter clinch.  Coenen backs out and lands a shot on Cyborg.  Takedown by Cyborg, but Coenen is in guard along the cage.  Cyborg steps up and lands a hard shot to the head.  Cyborg back to the mat, but stands up again and lands some big blows.   Cyborg pulls out again, lands a leg kick and pounces back on top.   Cyborg postures up and Coenen lands an upkick.  Refs stands them up.  Coenen lands a big right and Cyborg responds with a left hook.  The fighter exchange blows.  Cyborg continues to land the left hook.  Coenen grabs a clinch and pins Cyborg to the cage.   Foot stomp by Coenen.  Coenen lands a right elbow, followed by an uppercut backing away.  Coenen misses with a right and gets nailed with a counter from Santos as the bell sounds.

Solid round for both fighters, but Cyborg gets the round, 10-9.

Round 2

Cyborg lands a left hook which floors Coenen and rushes straight into an upkick which stops her cold.  Cybord postures over top and picks up Coenen for a slam.  Cyborg circles like a hyena and pounces Coenen again.  Coenen has a solid guard and ties up Cyborg.   Coenen is nullifying Cyborg and she finally pulls out to stand up.  Refs calls them to the center.   Left kick to the body by Cyborg.  Stiff jab by Cyborg, Coenen counters with right and Cyborg responds with another jab.  Coenen goes for takedown, but Cyborg defends and gets it.  Cyborg pulls off and Coenen looks for an upkick.  Cyborg lands leg kicks and pounces with a head punch.   Cyborg is over top Coenen along the cage as the round comes to an end.

Very strong round for Cyborg, 10-9.

Round 3

Cyborg’s cardio looks good as they open the round.  Coenen goes under but Cyborg fends her off.  Coenen doesn’t give up and drive Cyborg into the cage wall.  Cyborg circles off the cage and lands a flurry of punches and kicks.  Coenen goes for takedown and Cyborg overpowers her again.   Cyborg lands a few blows to the head.  Coenen is in solid guard position and is working her leg up for a triangle choke.  Cyborg steps up and slip, allowing Coenen to stand up.  Coenen lands a right hand bomb, but Cyborg is unphased.  Cyborg lands a few shots, as Coenen goes under again only to be denied the takedown again.  Cyborg is posturing up and landing blows at will.  Coenen balls herself up and is showing no defense.  The referee steps in and halts the fight.

Official Result:  Santos by technical knockout at 3:40 of Round 3


Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis

Round 1

The fighters stare each other down as they receive their instructions.   The fighters are exchanging big blows on each other.  Zaromskis lands a knee which slows Diaz and Diaz moves for a clinch.  Diaz is hammering knees to Zaromskis’ right leg.  Diaz keeps working that leg, hoping to take Zaromskis leg kicks out of the fight.  Zaromskis scrambles off the cage wall.  The fighters exchange with Diaz getting the better of the exchange, beating Zaromskis to the punch.  Zaromskis land a big left hook that floors Diaz.  Zaromskis pounces and lands a hammer fist.  Diaz is bleeding.  Diaz recovers and gets to his feet.  Diaz again beats Zaromskis to the punch and is landing sharp blows.  Big right by Diaz rocks Zaromskis.  A combination by Diaz.  Zaromskis is taking a boatload of shots.   Huge uppercut by Diaz and Zaromskis is hurt badly.  Diaz is unloading punches and Zaromskis is somehow still standing.   A right cross floors Zaromski, Diaz pounces and the referee halts the fight.  Diaz wins the welterweight title.

Official Result:  Diaz by technical knockout at 4:38