Strikeforce Middleweight Tourney: Eight Fighters Who Would Make It Big

With Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shield's departure to the UFC, Strikeforce has decided to put Tim Kennedy vs. Ronaldo De Souza for the vacant title. This is an excellent matchup between two fighters on very good streaks with great skillsets and never say die attitudes. To determine it's first #1 contender, Strikeforce has decided to put it's deepest divison on display with a tournament. With the exclusion of Cung Le and Dan Henderson, who've said they want no part in the tourney, the field begins to look a bit stranger. But with talent exchanges, a huge field is still available.  Here's my picks for an 8 man field.

Nick Diaz

Strikeforce's welterweight champion took two catchweight bouts at around 180 pounds and looked terrific in both. With the welterweight division being not to deep, Diaz would be a great addition with his unique blend of boxing and jiu-jitsu, and world class trash talk.

Jason "Mayhem" Miller

Former contender Mayhem Miller takes a spot in the tourney with his savvy grappling and involvement in the Nashville Brawl. While I'm not a fan of rewarding such behavior, a first round match up between Miller and Diaz would be fireworks. Or place them on opposite sides and hope they make it to the finals.

Kazushi Sakuraba

As part of the Dream talent exchange, bring over the legend, Sakuraba. A touch draw for anyone due to his incredible ground skills and ability to take massive punishment.

Robbie Lawler

Big banger Robbie Lawler is never in a dull fight with his explosive one punch ability. He's willing to stand and trade with anyone in the business.

Melvin Manhoef

Another big striker, his go for broke striking means he's a danger for anyone he gets in the cage with. Two fighters so far would be rematches, but you know Sakuraba would be looking for redemption and Manhoef would want to prove the Lawler fight was just a fluke.

Hector Lombard

Being Bellator's Middleweight Champion means his entry in the tournament would be a long shot at best, but Lombard would be a heavy favorite with his world class Judo and heavy hands.

Matt Lindland

No tournament is complete without a world class grinder. Lindland could put anyone he fights on their back. While some competitors would be fine with that, others panic, leaving them open to big shots from the top-control specialist.

Paulo Filho

Wildly inconsistent Filho could look to add another American title to his resume. With great black belt jiu-jitsu, when his head is on straight, he's a terror for anyone in the cage.

Reservists

Two fighters that would be good to have in case of injury or visa issues would be Joey Villasenor and Karl Amoussou. Both have strong striking and well rounded skillsets that could cause problems for anyone.