Saturday's Strikeforce card in San Jose at the HP Pavilion had the buzz of a big time fighting event. The main event featuring local California product Nick Diaz and Brazilian Slugger Evangalista "Cyborg" Santos didn't disappoint, as both put on an entertaining first round highlighted by Cyborg leg chopping Diaz on numerous occasions, followed by Diaz staggering the Brazilian to end the round. The second was more of the same, as both fighters kept going forward and throwing punches. With about 40 seconds left in the second, Santos executed a takedown that would be his undoing. Diaz reversed position and locked in an armbar, causing the challenger to tap out with about 20 seconds left in the 2nd.
Next for Diaz : That (long delayed) fight with Jason "Mayhem Miller.
Next for Santos : to console his wife, Women's 145 lb. Champion Cristine "Cyborg" Santos, who showed her emotions, sobbing at ringside when her husband tapped. How anybody would let their wife sit by while they're getting their ass kicked is beyond me, but this is NOT your typical married couple!
In the other title fight, Black House team member Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza improved to 14-2 (with one no contest) after a successful defense of his Strikeforce Middleweight title against challenger ruthless Robbie Lawler. The first round saw Jacare pushing Lawler around early and securing a takedown trying for several submissions. After a mad scramble that featured Souza going for a standing Guillotine, Lawler escaped and landed a knee followed by several shots that had Souza on Dream Street. Lawler followed him to the floor and Souza was able to weather the storm by pulling Lawler in to his guard. After they were stood back up by Referee John McCarthy, Lawler attempted to put Jacare out again. But Souza got a takedown as the first round ended.
The second and third rounds featured more dominance by Souza on the ground after executing a takedown. He had several submission attempts that just never panned out, like an armbar and a heel lock. The only highlight Lawler had was the reversal and escape but that was towards the end of the second. Souza finally ended things with a rear naked choke at just 2 minutes of the 3rd round.
Next for Jacare : He seemed uninterested in a 3rd fight with "Mayhem" Miller in a post fight interview. Wonder if Gegard Mousasi is interested?
Next for Lawler : He needs to finish a fight and needs to work on his Jiu-Jitsu. If he wants to throw bombs, throw him in there with Cung Le and see what happens.
Herschel Walker improved to 2 wins in 2 fights against journeyman fighter Scott Carson. Herschel took a high leg kick to the face that seemed to bring out his "inner fighter" and he controlled the overwhelmed Carson with some powerful stand up and a suplex attempt before finishing him at 3:13 of round number one due to TKO.
Next for Carson : the unemployment line.
Next for Walker : Well, people insist he's nothing more than a "can crusher". Ok, he needs to fight somebody his "own age". Gotcha. You know what? Get Scott Coker to go sign Mark "The Hammer" Coleman. He's about the same age and is a "name" in the sport. Wonder what would happen if Walker were to beat Coleman. Dana White probably wouldn't say a word because there are guys on his roster Coleman's already beat!
In the first fight of the night, we also saw Roger Gracie improve to 4-0 with a first round rear naked choke of Trevor Prangley. Uneventful and hardly worth mentioning.
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