Strikeforce Nick Diaz-K.J. Noons: Diaz Avenges Loss To Noons With Decision Win

"Don’t be scared homey." Nick Diaz was far from scared on Saturday night. For five rounds, he stood toe to toe with professional Boxer turned MMA fighter, K.J. Noons.

In the end, vengeance proved to be sweet for the older Diaz brother as he took the unanimous decision and kept his throne intact.

Throughout the bout, Diaz remained patient and used his reach to work Noons on the outside. Noons seemed impatient in his pursuit of the knockout. Instead of setting up his offense, he lunged wildly from the outside with random straights and uppercuts.

Diaz was methodical in his approach as he took apart Noon’s sloppy posture and Boxing defense. In the first round, Diaz dropped Noons with a right hand that setup the domino effect. Noons tried to rally in the second round, but he was outgunned by the better striker.

During the bout, Diaz attempted a few takedowns, but was shrugged off by an aggravated Noons. While Noons didn’t appreciate the idea of being taken down, Diaz reminded everyone that this isn’t Boxing.

"No offense or disrespect, but I beat this guy on the ground or standing up. It’s Mixed Martial Arts out here, and it’s hard not to go for a takedown. I can beat this guy in a Boxing match, but I’ll also make him tap on the ground. I just want to display my skills," Diaz said.

When asked about a third bout with Noons, Diaz had no qualms about finishing this feud out in a rubber match.

"It’s whatever. We can do it," Diaz said.

Noons also seemed content with fighting Diaz again.

"Whatever the fans want to see. I’ll either do it again or work my way back up. He beat me fair and square," Noons said.

With Paul Daley busy with Scott Smith in December, Strikeforce could opt for an immediate rematch. It was a gritty war that left both fighters bloodied and battered afterwards. Judging by the crowd’s response, MMA fans shouldn't have any problem seeing these two go at it again.


Thomson Secures Rubber Match with Melendez

The number one contender’s bout between Josh Thomson and Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante didn’t come without controversy. It was a close fight that warranted a close decision. While two judges scored the bout 29-28 for Thomson, one judge obviously saw a completely different fight and gave Thomson all three rounds (30-27).

"There’s no way I won this fight 30-27. The judges need a clinic to learn how to judge these fights," Thomson said during his post-fight interview.

On most scorecards, the entire bout was decided by the first round. JZ landed a hard right hand early out that dropped the former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion. A staggering Thomson desperately sought a takedown and found himself in a full on guillotine choke from JZ’s guard.

Despite his hardest efforts, JZ couldn’t finish the gutsy Thomson. Thomson soon after escaped the hold entirely and started to work some ground and pound. Towards the end of the round, he passed JZ’s guard and cinched up a tight arm triangle, but the sound of the bell saved the Brazilian.

The second round saw a much more sluggish battle. It easily tipped in Thomson’s favor after he secured a takedown and demonstrated great top control. JZ struggled to scramble free from underneath as he ate punches from various positions.

JZ came back strong in the third stanza. He took Thomson down twice and rode out the majority of the round from top position. It wasn’t an offensive clinic by the Dream vet, but it seemed to be enough to earn him the round. While on his back, Thomson smiled and posed at the TV monitor.

It was all he could do. Despite maintaining an active guard, Thomson couldn’t put forth enough offense to stifle JZ’s top game.

"I felt like (expletive) tonight. I left it in the judges’ hands, and that’s not something I like to do," Thomson said. "You come out with the W, and that’s all you can do."

Thomson will most likely move on and challenge Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce Lightweight Title in an anticipated rubber match of their ongoing rivalry. Thomson left Melendez with some parting words.

"Knock, Knock Melendez. I’m knocking on the door. I want my title back."


Coenen Claims Gold

Marloes Coenen defeated unbeaten women’s champion Sarah Kaufman on Saturday night via third round submission to become the new Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion.

The bout started out in Coenen’s favor with her getting the best of the exchanges. Kaufman had a lot of trouble finding her range against the lengthier Coenen. It was a tough first round for the champion as she was peppered on the outside by Coenen’s strong kicks and punches.

The second round played out a tad more in Kaufman’s favor. She did a better job of closing the distance and setting up her offense. The clinch game became a huge factor as Kaufman pressed Coenen into the fence and grinded out insignificant damage with short strikes.

Kaufman ended the round raining down punches from Coenen’s guard after reversing an incredible Judo throw attempt.

In the third round, Coenen was successful on a takedown attempt but found herself reversed again by the 25-year-old Canadian. From top, Kaufman picked up where she left off in the second round. She blasted Coenen with straight punches and hammerfists. Out of nowhere, Coenen secured a lingering arm and locked up an armbar, which forced the champion to tap at 1:59 of the third round.

After the stoppage, Kaufman was upset at Coenen for not releasing the hold soon enough when the ref stepped in. Coenen apologized afterwards.

"I would like to apologize to Sarah. I really didn’t know. Normally in training, I know when to let go. The referee was a little late." Coenen stated.

After her bout at Ultimate Glory 12 against Lena Buytendijk, Coenen will prepare to defend her Welterweight Title against number one contender, Meisha Tate. When asked if she had a message for Tate, Coenen simply said, "Let’s get it on."


Woodley Steam Rolls Galvao

In the main card opener, undefeated prospect Tyrone Woodley made quick work of BJJ standout Andre Galvao.

Galvao had no answer for Woodley’s power as he was battered on the feet. Woodley, a two-time All American wrestler at the University of Missouri, had no problems defending Galvao’s half-hearted takedown attempts.

After a series of one-sided exchanges, Woodley dropped Galvao with a straight and followed with a couple of uppercuts.

When Galvao recovered and tried to claim guard, Woodley backed out and refused to take the bait. It was a pitiful sight to see the dominated Galvao butt scoot around the cage desperately inviting Woodley into his guard.

Back on the feet, another telegraphed takedown finally spelled the end for Galvao. Woodley stunned him coming in and finished with some light ground and pound before the ref stepped in at 1:48 of the first round.

Despite coming off the Strikeforce Challengers series, Woodley already feels he’s ready for a title shot. With the thin Strikeforce Welterweight division, he could be right.

"They’re coming to my hometown in St. Louis. Let me turn it out in my hometown. I think it’s obvious where I fit. I think I should be up next (title shot)," Woodley said.

(Originally Published at SportsHaze.com - Follow me on Twitter at SportsHaze_MMA)