Strikeforce Columbus Results: Power Ranking the Strikeforce Champions
With Strikeforce: Feijao vs Henderson in the record books, it's time for us to take a look at the champions in the company. Specifically, we are going to power rank the current Strikeforce champions.
Let's be honest, some people are champions that either aren't very good or their division is really weak, or possibly some combination of both. With that in mind, this power ranking will show who is the best of the best.
Where does Dan Henderson rank after his big win over Rafael Feijao? Did Marloes Coenen move up in the rankings after her come-from-behind victory over Liz Carmouche?
Read on to find out the answers to these questions and many more.
7. Women's Middleweight Champion: Cris Cyborg
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Strikeforce Record: 4-0, 4 (T)KO's
This ranking is more of a product of Strikeforce and their inability to find a fight for Cyborg. She hasn't fought in over eight months, and there is no fight waiting in the pipeline.
No wonder she is talking to WWE about a possible deal. Even though the divas division sucks, at least she would be working.
6. Heavyweight Champion: Alistair Overeem
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Strikeforce Record: 3-0, 1 KO, 1 Submission
Alistair Overeem, like Cris Cyborg, is a product of not fighting for the company enough. He holds three titles for three different organizations, which is impressive. But it loses some of its luster when you realize that he has only defended the Strikeforce belt once in three years and that was against Brett Rogers, who is not a championship-caliber fighter.
Overeem can move way up this list if he wins the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, or even if he defeats Fabricio Werdum in the first round.
5. Women's Welterweight Champion: Marloes Coenen
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Strikeforce Record: 3-1, 3 Submissions
Marloes Coenen did her best Anderson Silva impression in defeating Liz Carmouche, who took the fight on just two weeks notice.
While Coenen was full of praise for her opponent, she is still the welterweight champion. Next up for her will be a fight against Miesha Tate, who was supposed to fight Coenen at this past event but was injured in training.
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4. Men's Welterweight Champion: Nick Diaz
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Strikeforce Record: 5-0, 2 (T)KO's, 2 Submissions
Nick Diaz is a great fighter, one of the best welterweight fighters in the world. The problem is he hasn't really been challenged since winning the welterweight title. That's not entirely his fault because the Strikeforce welterweight title isn't the deepest in the world.
Next up for Diaz will be a fight against Paul Daley in April.
3. Light Heavyweight Champion: Dan Henderson
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Strikeforce Record: 2-1, 2 (T)KO's
Dan Henderson, at 40 years old, continues to defy logic and expectations. He added another chapter to the already legendary book in his career when he knocked out Rafael Feijao.
Don't get too high on Henderson winning this title though, as the last three guys that have held the title (Mousasi, King Mo and Feijao) all lost in their first title defense.
2. Men's Middleweight Champion: Jacare Souza
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Strikeforce Record: 4-0, two Submissions
Jacare Souza has been impressive in his time with Strikeforce. He has a perfect record (4-0) and has beaten the top two fighters in the Strikeforce middleweight division, Robbie Lawler and Tim Kennedy.
There is no match set for Souza yet, but listening to Kennedy after his win over Melvin Manhoef, he thinks it should be Souza. Most fans and analysts would likely agree.
1. Lightweight Champion: Gilbert Melendez
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Strikeforce Record: 8-1, 3 (T)KO's, one Submission
Gilbert Melendez is the best of the Strikeforce best. He has won four-straight championship fights, with wins over high caliber fighters like Shinya Aoki and Josh Thomson.
Melendez will defend the Strikeforce lightweight title against Tatsuya Kawajiri at the April 9th show.
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