2010: The Year of the Powerbomb

Here are the main card results from Watchkalibrun.com. The gif is from Middle Easy the pic is from MMA Fighting.

Main Event

* Shane Del Rosario def. Lolohea Mahe via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:48

* Sarah Kaufman def. Roxanne Modafferi via knockout (slam) – Round 3, 4:45. Sarah Kaufman retains Strikeforce 135lbs. Women’s title.

* Bobby Voelker def. Cory Devela via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).

* Mike Kyle def. Ron “Abongo” Humphrey via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:2.

* Caros Fodor def. Thomas Diagne via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

I could have gone 5-0 if I had the guts to go with my head over my heart in the championship bout. Alas my enjoyment of both fighters made that too difficult to deal with. That being said the bar has been set for female fight of the year with Kaufmans first title defense against Roxy Modaferri. It was a tug of war from the opening frame but as the fight wore on it was Kaufmans athleticism that won her the fight.

Most of the fight was spent jockeying for position in the clinch with Roxy threatening with trips and takedowns, one of which she got in the first round. In the second Sarah go to show of her combo punching in a few stand up skirmishes where she clearly had the upper hand. In the third both fighters spent time on their backs. When the challenger Modaferri was in top position she had a hard time advancing or landing strikes against the champion who did her best to not take damage and kept her at bay.

When the tables were turned Kaufman was wary of the threats inherent in the guard of Modaferri and while defending what looked to be the beginning of an submission (probably an armbar). Sarah Kaufman made good on her word to make a statement for being put on bigger cards by hoisting Modaferri off her back and slamming her unconscious. A finish so dramatic that I would venture it and the Zoila Frausto smashing of Rosi Sexton will both be up for knockout of the year.

The rest of the event was entertaining with only one decision in the Fodor vs Diagne fight at the beginning of the main card. An unexpectedly good night of fights from a sleeper of a card that was a gem for anybody who watched it.

Going to have to rattle this one off quick fast in a hurry. The event starts in less than 10 minutes so this will be main card only

THOMAS DIAGNE VS. CAROS FODOR – Going with the guy whose name is similar to one of the best fighters in the sport. Variable assessment/style match up breakdown be damned.

CORY DEVELA VS. BOBBY VOELKER – Voelker via Clobbering Time

ABONGO HUMPHREY VS. MIKE KYLE – Humphrey is in for a long hard night, he is a good fighter but Kyle is way bigger, more experienced and if he doesn’t gas takes this easy.

Strikeforce Female Welterweight Championship

CHAMP SARAH KAUFMAN VS. ROXANNE MODAFFERI – This is going to be an amazing fight. As a huge fan of both fighters I am seriously conflicted. My head says Kaufmans rock solid boxing fundamentals will keep the fight where she wants it and if it does go to the ground her purple belt bjj will keep her out of trouble. My heart has to go to Roxy’s indomitable fighting spirit and grit, she may not be on Sarah’s level in the striking department but she can hold her own.

This fight as I see it will come down to who is the better athlete and has the better cardio. With that said I CAN’T PICK AGAINST EITHER FIGHTER. I am hoping for a competitive display of mixed martial arts, that is all.

SHANE DEL ROSARIO VS. LOLOHEA MAHE – Size disadvantage aside Del Rosario takes this easy, especially if Mahe doesn’t knock his head off and is dragged into the second frame. Expect either a tko or sub from Shane.

Good news from MMA Junkie,

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Strikeforce Challengers 9 could feature recently crowned Strikeforce women’s welterweight champion Sarah Kaufman (11-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) against fellow 135-pounder Roxanne Modafferi (15-5 MMA, 0-1 SF).

And before anyone freaks out over being 0-1 in the organization, lets put it in perspective.

Modafferi, meanwhile, would fight for Strikeforce for the second time. Serving as a late replacement for Erin Toughill, the Japanese-based American moved up a weight class and ultimately suffered a first-round submission loss to notable Marloes Coenen.

Since that loss, Modafferi scored a submission win over Molly Helsel at a King of the Cage event, and on May 21, she edged female standout Tara LaRosa (18-1 at the time) via split decision in a heavily praised “Moosin: God of Martial Arts” pay-per-view bout. Modafferi has now won eight of her past nine fights.

It will suck for me personally being a fan of both fighters, but this fight has to happen. Roxy has been performing like a woman possesed and is a more than worthy challenger for Kaufmans title. But with a little over a month to prepare and this being Roxy’s 3rd fight of the year. I can’t help but wonder if this fight isn’t coming off a bit rushed.