Info and Predictions for Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey

Tonight, Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey airs live on Showtime, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. Eastern standard time. The prelims will be aired on Showtime Extreme, if you care to get your extra fix of fights.

The main event sees two of the more popular names in women's MMA, Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey, square off for the women's bantamweight title.

We also will see several UFC vets fight, as well as prospects and the son of a legend.

Roger Bowling vs. Brandon Saling

In the first bout of the night, we see welterweights Roger Bowling and Brandon Saling square off.

Saling is a 13-fight veteran, holding a record of 8-5. He has finished all eight of his victories by knockout or submission, which is a testament to his all around skills. He will also be the hometown favorite, as he trains with Jorge Gurgel in Ohio.

Bowling has a 10-2 record and has fought some stiff competition. After dropping his rubber match with Bobby Voelker, Bowling came back in his latest bout to defeat Jerron Peoples by knockout. Like Saling, Bowling trains out of Ohio and will have a strong fanbase.

Prediction: Bowling def. Saling via TKO

Ryan Couture vs. Conor Huen

We move on to the lightweight division, where Ryan Couture, son of Randy Couture, takes on a tough opponent in Conor Huen.

Couture is young in his career, as he is just 3-1. Following his first career loss at the hands of Matt Ricehouse, Couture came back with decision victory over Maka Watson. He faces his toughest opponent to date when he steps into the cage with Huen.

Huen holds a 9-4 record and is a savvy submission expert. His ground game can give people fits, which he will likely use in this match as well. He looks to build momentum from his latest bout, which saw him defeat Magno Almeida.

Prediction: Huen def. Couture via decision

Caros Fodor vs. Pat Healy

In our next tilt of the night, we match up long-time veteran lightweight Pat Healy and hot prospect Caros Fodor.

Pat Healy has experienced a nice career resurgence, winning his last three bouts in Strikeforce where he was usually the underdog.

He owns decisions over Lyle Beerbohm and Eric Wisely, as well as a submission over highly touted Maximo Blanco. Don't sleep on Healy because he is dangerous and always comes to fight.

Fodor is also coming into this fight with a head of steam. The AMC Pankration representative is 7-1, but has beaten all five of his Strikeforce opponents. He disposed of Justin Wilcox in 13 seconds in his latest fight, knocking Wilcox out in the blink of an eye.

Prediction: Fodor def. Healy via decision

Sarah Kaufman vs. Alexis Davis

In the final preliminary fight, female bantamweights Sarah Kaufman and Alexis Davis are set to decide the top contender in the division.

Kaufman is upset that she is being pushed aside for tonight's title fight, and looks to take it out on Davis. Kaufman is extremely skilled, holding a 14-1 record with 10 knockouts.

She has defeated the likes of Liz Carmouche, her opponent Alexis Davis and current champ Miesha Tate. A win tonight will definitely earn her a title shot.

Davis, a fellow Canadian, is 11-4 in her career and is on a three-fight winning streak. Despite already having a loss to Kaufman, it was in her pro debut in 2007. Since then, she has improved, beating notables Amanda Nunes and Julie Kedzie.

Prediction: Kaufman def. Davis via TKO

Scott Smith vs. Lumumba Sayers

To the main card we head, as middleweights Scott Smith and Lumumba Sayers square off.

Returning to middleweight after an unsuccessful stint at welterweight is Smith. This fight is probably do or die for Smith, who is riding a three-fight losing streak. Smith is always dangerous, possessing crippling power in his hands. He has defeated notables Cung Le, Benji Radach and Terry Martin by knockout.

Coming off a huge win in his latest bout, Lumumba Sayers looks to continue winning. Sayers headlined a Strikeforce Challengers card in his last fight, finishing opponent Antwain Britt quickly with a knockout. Sayers looks to send Smith packing in this fight.

Prediction: Smith def. Sayers via TKO

Ronaldo Souza vs. Bristol Marunde

In the next bout of the night, middleweight Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza goes to battle against late replacement Bristol Marunde.

Marunde is a late replacement, filling in for Derek Brunson, who failed an eye exam. Marunde is 15-6 in his career, spending time in promotions such as IFL, M-1 and Superior Cage Combat. He has gotten past opponents Jay Silva and Shane Primm in recent bouts.

Souza, on the other hand, is looking to rebound since dropping his championship in his latest bout with Luke Rockhold. Souza is a dangerous submission artist, forcing 11 taps in his 14 victories. He will undoubtedly look to bring this fight to the mat as soon as he can.

Prediction: Souza def. Marunde via submission

Paul Daley vs. Kazuo Misaki

We then go to an intriguing welterweight match up, as Paul Daley stands opposite of Kazuo Misaki.

Daley is on a two-fight winning streak, outside of Strikeforce, putting away the likes of Luigi Fiorvanti and Jordan Radev. It's weird to think that it was just under a year ago that Daley was challenging Nick Diaz to the championship. A win here would get Daley one step closer to the Strikeforce championship belt.

Misaski is a long time veteran, as he is 24-11-2 (1 NC). The 2006 PRIDE Grand Prix champion is also on a two-fight winning streak, showing off his knockout power in both bouts. Matching Misaski with Daley is sure to bring fireworks.

Prediction: Daley def. Misaki via knockout

KJ Noons vs. Josh Thomson

In the co-main event of the evening, KJ Noons and Josh Thomson will meet in an interesting lightweight affair.

Noons looks to build off his latest win, which ended a two fight losing streak for the Hawaiian-born slugger. Noons is a great striker, who has knocked out such opponents as Jorge Gurgel, Yves Edwards and James Edson Berto. He will most definitely look to keep this fight on the feet and batter Thomson with his hands.

Josh Thomson recently snapped a two-fight winning streak, tasting defeat at the hands of Tatsuya Kawajiri on New Year's Eve.

Thomson has finished 13 of his career 18 victories, which includes finishes of Pat Healy, Adam Lynn and Duane Ludwig. Thomson will most likely look to get Noons down, as that is his shining weakness.

Prediction: Noons def. Thomson via decision

Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey

In the main event of the evening, Ronda Rousey will look to be taking gold off the waist of Miesha Tate.

The champion, Tate, is 12-2 in her career. She has not lost since 2009, where she was bested by Sarah Kaufman. She is on a six-fight winning streak, which includes wins over Zoila Gurgel, Hitomi Akano and Marloes Coenen. With her solid wrestling base, she has been able to control her opponents.

The challenger, Rousey, is young in her MMA career, as the Olympic judo player 4-0 in her career. None of Rousey's fights have broken the minute mark, putting away all her opponents by armbar in the first round. In her latest bout, she disfigured Julia Budd's arm with her patented armbar.

Prediction: It is tough to choose for me. I will not change horses, though, and stick with Tate defeating Rousey by decision.

Fight Night Bonuses

I know Strikeforce does not typically have the "fight night" bonuses that the UFC has, but here's my picks on how they would go.

Fight of the Night: Daley vs. Misaki

Knockout of the Night: Paul Daley

Submission of the Night: Ronaldo Souza