Herschel Walker did not too bad for a 47 year old man. Walker defeated Greg Nagy at 2:17 of the third round with a fight stoppage. While Walker did not look like a totally polished fighter, his performance was respectful.
Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner, showed unbelievable conditioning throughout the fight and had plenty in the gas tank when the fight was ended. Walker has always been a conditioning guru and did himself proud for a man of his age.His standup was stiff ,but he continued to take Nagy to the ground where he was the stronger fighter. Walker did have some opportunities for a submission but could not pull them off. Wallker is a sixth degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. You can see that he does possess some fighting skills that are worthy of the MMA game. I love the fact that he wanted to test and challenge himself in the great sport of MMA. MMA has soared in popularity and will continue to attract some of the best athletes in the world to get into the cage.
While you can say that Walker is not threat to any MMA title, I do think that his fight served as some intriguing excitement. You will always have some interest in a former elite athlete when he wants to get in the cage to fight. Walker made people tune into Showtime and did nothing but make the card more appealing to the MMA fan. I am not sure if he will fight again, but I am sure that people would tune in again if that happens. If Walker wants to test himself again that is more than alright with me. I remember how great a running back he was, he gives everything he has when challenged. That is the time of fighter I like to watch. Maybe we will see Herschel fight again. Anyway, Congratulations Herschel.
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
After numerous injuries, bout changes, last minute fight matchmaking and fan outcry about the televised main card, Strikeforce: Miami is finally here. You can bet Scott Coker and his team are happy this one in almost in the books and they can move forward towards their next event after the roller coaster they have been on for the last six weeks. The bright side after all of the craziness is that the fight is a can’t miss event in the middle of the two week NFL party leading up to the Super Bowl in South Florida.
Diaz Fights For Welterweight Title
The evening is highlighted by two championship bouts and two major name debuts. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos will defend her championship against contender Marloes Coenen and Nick Diaz and Strikeforce newcomer Marius Zaromskis will square off for the vacant welterweight championship that was vacated by Cung Le. Former NFL running back Herschel Walker and former WWE professional wrestler Bobby Lashley will make their debuts with Strikeforce on the undercard.
Here’s the breakdown of the night’s main fights:
Jay Hieron vs Joe Riggs
Hieron is the jilted former lover of Strikeforce. Signing a contract with the promotion with the understanding he’d fight for the welterweight title, his bout with Nick Diaz was canceled in August after Diaz was unable to obtain a fight license. Now he’s fighting on a Diaz undercard, his title shot given to another fighter, and to top it off his fight won’t be telecast on Showtime. Something tells me I wouldn’t want to be Scott Riggs on Saturday night.
Hieron (18-4) will look to apply his boxing and wrestling skills to his advantage against the journeyman Riggs (32-10). Making his return to Strikeforce, Riggs poses a solid matchup for Hieron to prove the hype that is surrounding him. Riggs, a former UFC vet, holds victories over Diaz, Kendall Grove and Phil Baroni and is no slouch, ending 29 of his 32 victories before the bell.
Expect Hieron to exact some damage and send a message that he’s next in line for the title shot that was rightfully his. The Hierson vs. Riggs fight will be available via free internet video stream live at EASportsMMA.com.
Herschel Walker vs. Greg Nagy
Former NFL running back and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker will make his MMA fighting debut versus Greg Nagy (1-1). Given the marketing dollars put behind Walker, you can expect that Nagy is a carefully chosen opponent that will make Walker look good. At age 47, Walker’s best days are way behind him and his body is worse for wear after the pounding he took in his NFL career. Expect a carnival show as Walker gets his first MMA victory.
Bobby Lashley vs Wes Sims
The former WWE’s pro wrestler’s debut had been up in the air as two fighters backed out on Lashley in recent weeks. Strikeforce was able to obtain a solid last minute replacement in securing former UFC vet and recent TUF 10 contestant, the resident comedian Wes Sims. Lashley (4-0) will make his Strikeforce debut and significantly step up his level of competition with the veteran Sims (22-12-1). After watching Sims get choked unconscious and having the cockiness slapped out of him by Justin Wren, expect Lashley to pound it out and dispatch of Sims with relative ease. It will be a solid stepping stone for Lashley as he becomes acclimated with the sport.
Robbie Lawler vs Melvin Manhoef
The likely fight of the night candidate for the event. Lawler (16-5) is coming of a bad loss to Jake Shields and hops back into the cage against the dangerous striker Manhoef (24-6-1). Both are finishers on their feet, with Lawler registering 13 stoppages in his 16 victories, while Manhoef has finshed 23 of his 24 victims with his strikes. You can bet the house that this fight will not end by submission. The key for Lawler is to get this fight to the canvas and take advantage of Manhoef’s weak defense. If Lawler keeps it on his feet, expect him to get rocked consistently by Manhoef’s shots.
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Marloes Coenen
The champ Santos returns to the cage to make her first defense of her belt after a brilliant and dominating performance that ended the reign of Strikeforce’s female face, Gina Carano. Cyborg (8-1) will be pushed a little more by the accomplished Coenen (17-3). Coenen will want to get this fight to the ground quickly and test Cyborg’s cardio by taking the fight deep. The Carano fight showed some weaknesses in Cyborg’s game on the ground and Coenen will look to exploit this and fend off the expected all-out assault Cyborg will deliver in the first period. If Coenen can take this fight past the 2nd round, her chances of victory increase dramatically. Don’t be surprise if Coenen pulls out an unexpected victory.
Nick Diaz vs Marius Zaromskis
Diaz (20-7) has been on a tear since his departure from the UFC, with only a doctor’s stoppage loss to K.J. Noons blemishing his record. Zaromskis (13-3) makes his USA and Strikeforce debut after winning the Dream 10 Welterweight Grand Prix with a vicious knockout of Jason High. For Diaz to pull out the victory, he will need to rely on his ground game as it appears that toe-to-toe, Zaromskis will eat him alive. Expect to see Diaz bring this fight to the mat and display the wide range of skills he has honed against top-level talent to hammer out a victory against the untested Zaromskis.
Strikeforce: Miami will air live on Showtime this Saturday night, with the main card beginning at 10pm EST.
