Strikeforce: Gina Carano vs Cristiane Santos Picks

August 10th, 2009admin

MAIN CARD

• Gina Carano vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (for Strikeforce women’s 145-pound title)
• Nick Diaz vs. Jay Hieron (for first-ever Strikforce welterweight title)
• Champ Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi (for Strikeforce light heavyweight title)
• Champ Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida (for Strikeforce interim lightweight title)

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)

• Mike Kyle vs. Fabricio Werdum
• Mike Cook vs. Scott Lighty
• David “Tarzan” Douglas vs. Justin Wilcox
• Zak Bucia vs. James Terry
• Isaiah Hill vs. Alex Trevino

I forgot to post my WEC Bowles vs Torres picks, so I’ll post the strikeforce picks earlier than normal.  Though it never crossed my mind that Bowles would defeat Torres.  Not sure what the min odds it would have taken for me to take Bowles.

I can’t wait for this inaugural women’s title match, Gina “Conviction” Carano vs Cristianne “Cyborg” Santos.  I would have to put Gina as a nice favourite in this one.  Even though Cyborg is a tough cookie, Carano’s standup is unmatched, and I really believe this should sttay up on their feet.  The bigger question is if they will make weight or not. 

Nick Diaz vs Jay Hieron won’t even be close, Diaz will demolish Hieron.  Edit: Now that Diaz would rather get high than wear championship gold, Jesse Taylor vs Jay Hieron will be a much closer match.  At even money I would probably go with size over experience.  Taylor for the decision victory.

Though Babalu has looked much improved lately, this should be a no contest as well.  Gegard IMO might be in the top 10 P$P fighters in the world and just dominates Renato’s skills in every area.

I really hate boring fighters and Ishida is easily in the top 10 boring fighters list.  Hopefully Melendez is very hungry for revenge and just punishes him.  I would take Melendez here as well.

You can bet on Strikeforce fights here

Strikeforce: Lawler vs Shields Picks

June 4th, 2009admin

The next strikeforce event is happening this Saturday June 6 in St. Louis. The main card featuring Ruthless Robbie Lawler vs Jake Shields should be a good one. Striker vs Grappler.

MAIN CARD
* Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields
* Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers
* Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith
* Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs
* Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead

So how do you choose the winner of a striker vs grappler matchup? Lawler has decent wrestling but Shields is awful standing up. Lawler has knockout power, but Shields is a Gracie blackbelt. I think i’m going to have to go with Shields at -105 for this one. His last match he showed how bad his standup was, so I’m sure he’s going to try and get this fight grounded as soon as possible.

Brett Rogers at +300 is too good not to take here IMO. Arlovski has a very suspect jaw, and Rogers has huge power. I don’t think he will even have to hit him with a power shot, just a clean one to get the KO. Easiest pick of the night even though he’s a pretty big underdog.

Nick Diaz should win this bought very easily, and the -400 shows it. Hands down the more technical boxer, and will just pick away at Smith. He doesn’t get into heavy tradeoffs, and thats usually where Smith excels at.

Phil Baroni and Joe Riggs is basically a pickem. Neither have a good record vs quality opponents, and are pretty much just for show. I would go for Riggs at -120 but its pretty much a coin flip.

Kevin Randleman vs Mike Whitehead is another coinflip. Randleman hasn’t fought in a while, and Whitehead I just don’t think he’s very good. Look for Randleman to be a bit more hungrier, and end up finishing with a nice KO. Randleman at -115.

Here is the rest of the preliminary card

PRELIMINARY CARD
* Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle*
* Josh Bumgarner vs. Jesse Finney
* Tyron Woodley vs. Sal Woods
* Lucas Lopes vs. Scott Ventimiglia
* Pat Benson vs. Dave Cochran
* Booker DeRousse vs. James Wade

Strikeforce is on at 10pm est June 6 only on Showtime.

You can bet on Strikeforce fights at most of these sportsbooks (5Dimes, BetCris, Bodog, BetUS, Sportsbook)