Strikeforce: Diaz and Cyborg Fight in Championship Bouts

Location: Sunrise, Fla
Venue: BankAtlantic Center
Broadcast: Showtime

Main Event: Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis (for vacant Welterweight title)

Co-Main Event: Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos(Champion) vs. Marloes Coenen (for Featherweight title)

Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs

Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef

Bobby Lashley vs. TBA

Herschel Walker vs. TBA

Former professional wrestling superstar turned professional fighter Bobby Lashley and former NFL legend Herschel Walker are set to make their debuts for Strikeforce. The organization has yet to determine their opponents at this time. As soon as I learn of their opponents I will update this fight card.

Lashley currently trains out of the famed American Top Team and holds a record of 4-0 with his most recent win coming via submission(punches) over Bob Sapp back at FFI-Ultimate Chaos last June.

Walker is training out of the American Kickboxing Academy which features notable fighters such as Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and Mike Swick to name a few. Walker has zero professional fights and will make his professional fighting debut on this card against a opponent still yet to be named. It is believed that Walker will compete in the heavyweight division for Strikeforce.

Main Event: Nick Diaz makes his return to competition to square off against Dream champion Marius Zaromskis for the Strikeforce Welterweight title. Zaromskis is riding a five fight win streak that included the Dream Welterweight championship. Diaz returns off a submission victory over Scott Smith and tko over Frank Shamrock as well riding a five fight win streak himself. Both fighters are well rounded with Diaz having fought the bigger name fighters but Zaromskis will be far from a pushover as he has 10 TKOs to his credit.

Co-Main Event: Marloes Coenen steps into action against the No. 1 female fighter in the world when she takes on Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos for Santos's championship. Santos's fierce Muay Thai and ever improving ground game has her looking somewhat invicible especially considering how she dispatched of Gina Carano. Marloes Coenen has just the opposite style of Cyborg, Coenen brings in a 17-3 record featuring 12 submissions. Furthermore, Coenen trains at the Golden Glory Gym which features such fighters as Alistair Overeem, Semmy Schilt, and Stefan Leko. On paper, this sizes up to be the traditional striker vs grappler matchup and it's hard to bet against Cyborg at this point in her career.

Jay Hieron steps in against Joe Riggs as both men look to claim their stake as the No. 1 contender to the welterweight championship. Hieron steps back into action after a impressive and successful first fight with Strikeforce and equally impressive run for the now defunct Affliction. Riggs returns to Strikeforce riding a four fight win streak. Both fighters bring in a well rounded game with Riggs having the edge in striking and Hieron having the edge in wrestling. Riggs is 32-10 and Hieron brings in an 18-4 record into the contest.

Melvin Manhoef makes his debut for Strikeforce facing off against former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler in what is sure to be an exciting standup contest. Manhoef is fresh off the heels of a very impressive TKO victory over Kazuo Misaki on the K1-Dynamite New Years card. Lawler on the other hand returns after losing to current Strikeforce champion Jake Shields back on June 6 of last year. However, both fighters most recent losses have came via submission and both fighters are going to be looking to keep the fight upright which should provide fireworks for all viewing the event.

Predictions: 

Diaz via submission—Round Two

Santos via TKO—Round Two

Hieron via Decision—Round Three

Manhoef via KO—Round One

Once Strikeforce officials complete this card I'll give further predictions for the Lashley and Walker contests.