Strikeforce Tate vs Rousey: Preview

Main Event

Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship

Ronda Rousey vs Miesha Tate  

   4-0 Record 12-2

 25 Age 25

  146 Weight 135

   5'6 Height 5'6
66.5" Reach 66"

   -310 Odds +260

Common Opponents: none

How They Got Here: Tate is coming of her title winning fight over Marloes Coenen who she submitted at Strikefore: Fedor vs Henderson and overall has won 6 fights in a row.  Rousey one of the rising stars in female mma has won all 4 of her pro bouts by arm bar submission with her latest victim being Julia Budd.

What To Expect: It could be a possibility that this fight will be decided in the standup with Tate the wrestler and Rousey the judo and submission expert their ground games could cancel each others out.  Tate's experience in big fights as well as in different situations and positions could give her an advantage but at the same time Rousey's pure explosiveness could, like all of Rousey's past opponents be too much for Tate to handle.  No matter the outcome of this fight though we should most likely see one of them in an uncomfortable  and foreign territory.

My Prediction: Tate by TKO 3rd Round

Josh Thomson vs KJ Noons

18-4 Record 11-4

33 Age 29

154 Weight 156

5'10 Height 5'10

71" Reach 70"

-150 Odds +120

Common Opponents: none

How They Got Here: Thomson is returning to action since his decision loss to Tatsuya Kawajiri at the 2010 Fields Dynamite show.  Noons snapped a 2 fight losing streak when he defeated Billy Evanelista by decision at Strikeforce: Melendez vs Masvidal.

What To Expect: Thomson is the more well rounded of the 2 fighters and if he can avoid Noons game of striking with a high work rate he should be able to get through this one and possibly earn another shot at champion Gilbert Melendez.

My Prediction: Thomson by Decision

Paul Daley vs Kazuo Misaki

29-11-2 Record 24-11-2
29 Age 35

170 Weight 185

  5'9 Height 5'10

74.5" Reach N/A

-300 Odds +230

Common Opponents:
Jake Shields
Daley lost by Submission 2nd Round at Elite XC 10/4/08
Misaki fought to a draw at Pancrase Hybrid 10 11/30/03

How They Got Here: Daley is making his Strikeforce return after falling to Tyron Woodley in his last fight with the organization.  Daley was able to rack up 2 wins outside of Strikeforce over Jordan Radev and Luigi Fiorvanti.  Misaki does have experience in Strikeforce as he has a win over Joe Riggs in 2008, more recently Misaki has won 2 fights in a row.

What To Expect: Daley wants to get back into the vacant Welterweight title picture and will be looking for the KO to make a good impression.  Misaki though is a tough customer to finish and could very well weather Daley's early attack and look for a submission later in the fight.

My Prediction: Daley by TKO 1st Round

Ronaldo Souza vs Bristol Marunde

14-3 Record 15-6

32 Age 29

185 Weight 185

6'0 Height 6'1

 74" Reach N/A

 -620 Odds +450

Common Opponents: none

How They Got Here: Souza is looking to get back into the win column and title contention as he is coming off his title championship loss to Luke Rockhold at Strikeforce: HWGP.  Marunde is making his Strikeforce debut stepping in for Derek Brunson on short notice on a 3 fight win streak with the latest victory coming over former UFC fighter Jay Silva.

What To Expect: Marunde, the late replacement could be in deep water and in over his head against the Jiu Jitsu expert who should be able to get the fight down to the ground, in his world and get a submission.

My Prediction: Souza by Submission 1st Round

Scott Smith vs Lumumba Sayers

17-9 Record 5-2

  32 Age 33

 171 Weight 185

  6'0 Height 6'0

    70" Reach 74.5"

   +130 Odds -160

Common Opponents: none

How They Got Here: Smith has come across tough times as of late losing his last 3 fights, the most recent being a decision loss to Tarec Saffiedine at Strikeforce: Fedor vs Henderson  Sayers is coming off his slight upset over Antwain Britt who he knocked out at Strikeforce Challengers 20.

What To Expect: Smith is never one to back down for a brawl which may entertain the fans but hasn't down well for his record as of late.  Sayers should oblige in engaging in a stand up battle and should be able to land on Smith with his reach advantage.

My Prediction: Sayers by TKO 1st Round


Prelims
Sarah Kaufman vs Alexis Davis
My Prediction: Kaufman by Decision

Roger Bowling vs Brandon Saling
My Prediction: Bowling by TKO 2nd Round

Ryan Couture vs Conor Heun
My Prediction: Couture by Decision

Caros Fodor vs Pat Healy
My Prediction: Fodor by Decision

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