Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields Preview

Strikeforce returns this Saturday night with their second fight card on Showtime and the main televised card is full of solid, exciting matchups.

Main Card

Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields - When ProElite (and EliteXC) folded, I think many MMA fans, including myself, were hoping that both Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler would find their way to the UFC.

Shields is a top 10 welterweight and truly has fought and defeated every other top welterweight he can outside of the UFC.

While it would be nice to see Shields test himself against the likes of Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck, and Georges St. Pierre, Shields has taken the hand dealt to him and decided to test his luck at a higher weightclass.

Since leaving the UFC in 2004 after suffering three losses, Robbie Lawler really seems to have found himself again and is enjoying success at middleweight. Lawler’s sole defeat since leaving the UFC came against Jason Miller in 2006, with Robbie winning fight straight fights since then.

This matchup truly is a contrast in two fighting styles. Lawler holds the clear advantage in the striking game and will be a much larger fighter than Shields come fight time. Jake Shields holds a huge, definitive advantage over Lawler in the grappling game.

This fight truly will be a battle of wills and an interesting fight to see who can outwit who. If Lawler can avoid an early submission and avoid some early takedowns, he can do serious damage on the feet.

If he does get taken down but can roll and end up in a dominant ground-and-pound position, he should be able to use his size and strength to hold Shields down. Shields will be looking to do what he does best and take Lawler to the mat and work his BJJ game.

Personally, while my head tells me Jake Shields should win this fight easily on the ground, I think Lawler’s bulk will be a big factor and “Ruthless” will come out on top.

Winner: Robbie Lawler

Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers - Brett Rogers remains undefeated at 9-0 in his MMA career, but has not looked all that overwhelming in his last few fights. Rogers has also never fought another heavyweight the same caliber as Andrei Arlovski.

One has to wonder what Arlovski’s mindset will be coming into this fight, considering his devastating loss to Fedor Emelianenko in his last fight and his recent flirtation with a pro boxing career.

When push comes to shove, Arlovski still is one of the best heavyweights in the game today and shouldn’t have much trouble with Rogers. Andrei will be quicker on his feet and will have better striking technique than Rogers. Should the fight hit the ground, Arlovski again holds the clear advantage. This fight is Arlovski’s to win or give away in embarrassing fasion.

Winner: Andrei Arlovski

Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith - Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith is a very interesting matchup.

Smith, as his nickname “Hands of Steel” implies, is a striker with a very weak ground game. Smith is exciting to watch because he is one fighter who is truly never out of a fight, no matter what kind of beating he seems to be taking.

Nick Diaz, in my book, is one of the top welterweights in the game today. Diaz, in reality, has not lost since his fight against Sean Sherk at UFC 59. Sure he has a technical loss to KJ Noons in Pro Elite, but that loss was by doctor stoppage due to cuts, not because of Diaz being defeated.

Diaz’s ground game is hands down better than Smiths, and if Diaz wants to end the fight at any time, he can simply take the fight to the mat and submit Smith. But, as we’ve seen recently with Nick Diaz, he most likely will be content to stand and strike with Smith and pepper him with his nagging jab and deceivingly powerful hook.

While Smith’s striking power is solid, his standup defense isn’t that great, and Diaz should be able to use his quick, well-placed striking to frustrate Smith throughout the fight.

Winner: Nick Diaz

Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs - If you enjoy standup brawls with two big power-punchers, then you will love the Baroni vs. Riggs matchup. Both guys have solid power and somewhat mediocre records over their careers.

I don’t really anticipate this fight hitting the ground at all, and as a result this fight truly could go either way. The fighter that comes in sloppy and with weaker defenses will most likely end the fight laying on his back with the ref standing over him.

In my eyes, Baroni has better striking and quicker hands, and if he can avoid any type of takedowns Riggs my try, he should win this fight via TKO.

Winner: Phil Baroni

Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead - For those who have followed Kevin Randleman’s MMA career, you know what kind of “fired up” fighter “The Monster” is. Well, Randleman has never been as fired up as he is now for this new opportunity in Strikeforce.

Randleman’s career has suffered numerous setbacks the past few years with issues ranging from life-threatening health issues, to extremely severe cases of staph infection, to personal and family issues. Randleman has only fought once since 2006 as a result, and time away from competitive competition will be his biggest struggle in this fight.

Mike Whitehead is an excellent fighter, and other than a recent loss to Renato Sobral in Affliction, Whitehead has not lost since early 2006 when he fought Keith Jardine at UFC 57.

Randleman’s wresting has always been his strength and you have to expect him to use it in this fight as well. However, Randleman’s weakness has been his submission defense, and more than half of Mike Whitehead’s victories have come via submission.

The smart money in this fight would realistically be on Mike Whitehead, but my gut is telling me this fight will be the start of a decent run for “The Monster.”

Winner: Kevin Randleman