Nick Diaz and Cyborg Santos Dominate Strikeforce
Title Fights
Nick Diaz and Cyborg Santos Dominate Strikeforce
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Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims Wes Sims took on Bobby Lashley and got his melon pounded in a melee that left little room for him to display anything but an ability to turtle up and avoid getting TKO’d in the first minute. (The ref stopped it at two minutes six seconds.) Another standout in a recent influx of professional wrestlers to MMA, Lashley managed to look very good against a large and sometimes dangerous veteran who is an average gatekeeper. Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef H.I.T. Squad co-owner Robbie Lawler was getting crushed from all angles by Melvin Manhoef, who appeared to be aiming for a first-round knockout. The Dutch fighter, representing his Japanese employer DREAM, was landing leg kicks so hard that Lawler’s leg shot high into the air several times. In fact, Manhoef’s attacking onslaught looked to be wearing down the San Diego native until Lawler slotted through a powerful right hook that landed on the button, taking Manhoef’s legs out. Lawler followed with two more insurance shots before the referee stopped him from adding to the damage. Manhoef was glassy-eyed and frozen before coming to again, making it an impressive come-from-behind win after three minutes 33 seconds of a exciting first round.
Heisman Trophy winner, National Football League record holder, and all-around athletic phenomenon Herschel Walker, 47, took on unknown fighter Greg Nagy (or did Nagy take on Walker?) in a bout that went to two minutes 17 seconds of the third round. Despite his age and relative lack of experience, Walker proved that he is in excellent shape for his age and is capable of making the transition to full-contact fighting with the right preparation. American Kickboxing Academy mentor Bob Cook provided 12 weeks of training support that helped make the difference for Walker, and AKA guru Dave Camarillo cornered Walker on fight night. Cristiane Santos vs. Marloes Coenen Cristiane Santos took on Marloes Coenen for the Strikeforce Women’s Championship and dominated a very game opponent until three minutes 40 seconds of the third round when the referee stepped in to stop the action. Coenen has been known for her grappling and jiu-jitsu abilities, and it’s clear that she hoped to nullify Santos’ stand-up, but she was unable to either take her opponent down or do anything from the guard when the two hit the mat. The one-sided matchup showed Coenen to be capable of putting up a defense, but Santos was just overwhelmingly strong and prepared for anything. Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis The other DREAM representative on this card, Lithuanian KO artist Marius Zaromskis, was prepared to give Nick Diaz stiff competition for the welterweight title, and he did indeed catch Diaz with several hard shots. The Cesar Gracie black belt spent a good portion of the round in a clinch with Zaromskis landing knee shots to his right thigh. Diaz employed his striking skills and reach advantage to tag Zaromskis so many times and so hard that the referee had to stop the fight at four minutes 38 seconds. Diaz earned the vacant welterweight title in impressive fashion after his third Strikeforce appearance and his sixth consecutive MMA win. 
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