The Great Alexis Arguello

R.I.P to Arguello, the orgullo of Nicaragua.

Strikeforce on Showtime

Strikeforce Weigh-in Results:
Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields
Look for Shields to control the ground game better and t=for that to be the difference as he takes a hard-earned decision. Shields W3 Lawler

Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith
Diaz too versatile for hard-nosed Smith. Diaz Sub2 Smith

Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers
Arlovski has the more polished hands but Rogers may have the better beard, and that will be the difference. Rogers KO2 Arlovski

Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead
Randleman's comeback continues with a decision win against former TUF participant. Randleman W3 Whitehead

Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs
Baroni edges out Rigs in a battle of shopworn warriors. Baroni W3 Riggs

Now that Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva hold the light heavyweight and middleweight titles respectively there are clamors of a viable opponent for the both, seemingly indestructible opponents. Now, both have stated that they will never fight each though the business of the fight game has a way of changing things. But until that time who else is there to bring a serious challenge to either?

That man may very well be Gegard Mousasi.

Mousasi, who has been having wild success in Japan's DREAM organization, has solid ground skills and excellent striking skills. He has been submitted only two times yet he has no fear of fighting any style. He has recently said he will be moving up in weight so Silva may not be in his immediate sights.

Which bring us to the very hard to beat, the "Pernell Whitaker of MMA" with heavier hands, Street Fighter's Ryu come-to-life, Machida. Machida is only exciting when he is on the offensive. However, like Whitaker, he loves to make you miss then, and only then, will he look to exact punishment for the audacity of attempting a strike and missing. Rashad Evans found out the hard way that if you dance with the devil he will bedazzle you. If you come at him too aggressively, he will strike like a rattle snake. So what makes Mousasi's chances any better than Evans, as well rounded an MMA fighter as they come?

Mousasi cherishes a challenge. He has a solid chin and excellent power. He does not rely on wrestling and brings the fight with educated hands and strong leg kicks. His motive is to bring the pain systematically. He does not wait for his opponent. Boxers who tried the dancing game with Whitaker always lost. Those who simply bore in with punches always lost. It took a fighter with power, skill and will, even at a late age (Felix Trinidad) to best Whitaker.

Luckily for Machida, Mousasi is only a few years younger in experience and in age. Mousasi has the right moxy needed for a patient striker like Machida. Whether or not he will be able to implement it in a fight is something 15 others have failed to do against Machida. Hopefully, MMA fans will not have to wait for the dirty business that has so eroded boxing in order to find that out in spite of rival promoters/organizations.

The founder of Tapout's last interview.

Quinton Jackson vs. Keith Jardine
Look for Jackson to get a 2nd round stoppage over tough Jardine, whose camp association would normally guarantee a victory.

Matt Hamill vs. Mark Munoz
Hamill needs a win after his last loss. Hamill W3 Munoz

Pete Sell vs. Matt Brown
Sell W3 Brown

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Shane Carwin
Carwin faces tough step up ... and passes. Carwin KO2 Gonzaga

Brandon Vera vs. Michael Patt
Vera Sub2 Patt

------------------------------------

Joel Julio vs. James Kirkland

Julio has gone rounds before whereas Kirkland usually blasts out his opponents. Look for Kirkland to survive and win via late round ko.

Former Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman will be the latest washed-up boxer to try MMA

Source:
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Former-Boxing-Champ-Rahman-Headed-to-MMA-16349

Not to sound cruel, but just as former football greats who could never recover from injury try their hand at boxing, it seems that a pattern of former top boxers who have reached the pinnacle of the ring are now trying to find some solace inside a cage.

While Rahman, who has still not said anything about fighting in MMA himself, will not be the latest to make the transition, he will be the most decorated.

Now don't get it twisted, this is not an all-time great in his prime going into a whole new arena. This is a fighter who struggled mightily against a former genuine bad ass fighter in James Toney who seems to train in the same bar as Tank Abbott (in all fairness to Mr. Abbott, he has never tested positive for steroids).

Shannon Briggs, a linear heavyweight who made a brief but successful transition into K-1, eventually got back his senses and went back to finish ruining a once burgeoning career.

Ray Mercer, who has lapsed his prime, was a former Olympic gold medalist who thought he was going to go toe to toe with the aforementioned Slice, but was out maneuvered and choked out by the glass-jawed, heavy handed bearded man in less than half a round.

Yes, there are other former heavy-waits, such as Franks Botha (K-1) and Butterbean (give this guy credit: he'll fight anyone, anywhere, any style) but neither had the same success they had in the ring.

So what are Rahman's chances?

Slim to none, but then again, read some of the past "Funny Money Only" picks.

Let's see: a 37-yr. old former hw champ with absolutely zero grappling skills and already on the down slide of a fairly successful boxing career going up against fighters who are used to using legs and limbs to get victory. Hmmm?

While Rahman will forever possess the proverbial "puncher's chance" moonlighters of the cage must remember that there is no "submission chance." That is a technique that can take years to master. And considering Rahman's laid back style and the fact that he has looked lethargic in his last few fights, it's easy to see him being beaten by Kimbo much the same way as Mercer.

Unless Rahman can commit to a consistent sprawl game and a sick stamina game, it's hard to see him beating anybody unless he taps their jaws and they go down. And in MMA, that is still no sure victory.

A busy weekend for fans of boxing and MMA. Choose wisely, but most of all, enjoy the fights!



Look for Pavlik to win by KO6 in a fight that should be on ESNP2.


Jennings is an unknown who has a respectable record to rival Cotto's. Unfortunately his list of opponents does not yet compare to Cotto. Cotto KO8 Jennings.

UFC 95


Diego Sanchez W3 Joe Stevenson
This is a must-win fight for Sanchez

Nate Marquardt Sub2 Wilson Gouveia
Marquardt is hungry to get back to the top of the rankings

Chael Sonnen W3 Demian Maia
Look for Maia to get first "L" on record

Paulo Thiago Sub2 Josh Koscheck
Look for Thiago to make spectacular UFC debut