Strikeforce: Houston Results
With two title fights, a former EliteXC champion and a former WWE superstar on the card, Strikeforce visited Houston, Texas last night. The main event featured “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal in his first title defence against Rafael Cavalcante. The co-main event starred Ronaldo Souza taking on Tim Kennedy for the vacant middleweight title.
Muhammed Lawal vs. Rafael Cavalcante
Lawal has looked fantastic and unbeatable since making his professional MMA debut in 2008. He beat Gegard Mousasi to win the Strikeforce belt and many wondered if there was anyone outside of the UFC who could beat him. Well they got the answers last night. For two rounds, Lawal was the faster and more productive of the two fighters, landing more shots than his Brazilian opponent. It looked like Cavalcante was slowing down further when suddenly he clipped the champ with a right hand that staggered him. Lawal then tried to shoot in for a takedown but “Feijao” stuffed it and delivered a knee in the clinch and then a right hook. Lawal found himself on his back. The champion made his way back up and then tried another takedown. Cavalcante pushed Lawal against the cage and unleashed some devestating elbow strikes until the referee called a halt to the bout. A great win for the new Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante.
Ronaldo Souza vs. Tim Kennedy
Fighting for the middleweight title which was left vacant by Jake Shields signing to the UFC, Souza and Kennedy put on a great fight. Souza, who is usually known for his ground game, showed great stand up abilities as managed to fire off some clean shots to Kennedy’s cranium. Kennedy hit Souza too and more times, but it was the Brazilians punches that seemed to get through. Kennedy, bloodied up, looked to win the forth round and then in the final seconds of the fight , found himself underfire from a wild combination. The fight went to the judges who in turn all gave Souza the win (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) and the belt.
Bobby Lashley vs. Chad Griggs
Lashley had (like Lawal) looked to be a dominating athlete, who used to incredible wrestling skills to put opponents on their back and then work a ground and pound offense. Well for the first time we saw the chinks in his armour as Lashley tasted defeat for the first time in his career. In the first round Lashley took down his opponent and continued to use strikes. Towards the end of the round though, the former WWE pro wrestler looked tired. Lashley managed to gain a mount position in the second round, but was unable to finish his opponent. The fight was restarted on their feet, where Lashley attempted a lay shoot. Griggs stuffed it and pushed his head down, before unleashing a barrage of punches. The bell went but Lashley was unable to continue and the fight was ended. A big win for Griggs and a big stumble for Lashley. Where as it didn’t make much sense before, a fight between Bobby Lashley and Dave Batista looks inviting.
Full Strikeforce: Houston Results
Rafael Cavalcante def. Muhammed Lawal via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:14 (Strikeforce lightweight title fight)
Ronaldo Souza def. Tim Kennedy via unanimous decision (Strikeforce middleweight title fight)
K.J. Noons def. Jorge Gurgel via KO (punches) – Round 2, 0:19
Chad Griggs def. Bobby Lashley via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 5:00
Daniel Cormier def. Jason Riley via submission (strikes) – Round 1, 1:02
Andre Galvao def. Jorge Patino via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:45
Vinicius Magalhaes def. Rocky Long via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Adam Schindler def. Keir Gooch via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:58
Reynaldo Trujillo def. Jose Santibanez via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:28
Chad Robichaux def. Humberto DeLeon via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Artenas Young def. Chad Cook via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
