MMA News: Strikeforce Inks Kazuo Misaki as a Welterweight

Kazuo Misaki—one of the two men responsible for arguably the middleweight title affair that gave MMA a strong definition and a man who came within one inch of becoming Sengoku middleweight champion against Jorge Santiago—has just made a major career move.

After spending time in the Japanese circuit, Misaki will take his talent back Strikeforce, where he will look to make his mark as a welterweight in the hopes that it will be he that fills the void left by Nick Diaz, who vacated the Strikeforce welterweight championship title to take a UFC 137 date with UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

At this time, it is unknown if an opponent is in the works for Misaki, who has been on a two-fight tear ever since the dramatic thriller that was his rematch with Santiago.

The Strikeforce welterweight division has a definitely established threat in Misaki, who possesses a good striking game as well as a solid wrestling offense and a noticeably active submission offense.

For the Paul Daleys, the Tyron Woodleys and the Evangelista Santoses of the welterweight class, the tools Misaki brings could very easily bring forth some trouble, as Misaki is well-rounded enough to take the fight wherever he pleases.

The question is obviously based around whether or not Misaki can have the same success in "the Strikeforce division without a champion" as opposed to "the Strikeforce division ruled by Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza," but regardless of what may and may not be, there should be little question that whatever impact Misaki does make in Strikeforce will be nothing short of spectacular.

Then again, when has Misaki shot for anything less than spectacular?