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Nick Diaz (C) def. Paul Daley TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:57
Strikeforce Welterweight Championship -
Champ Gilbert Melendez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:14
Strikeforce Lightweight Championship -
Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine – majority draw (29-27 Mousasi, 28-28, 28-28)
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Shinya Aoki def. Lyle Beerbohm- submission (neck crank) – Round 1, 1:33
Britain’s Paul Daley Came up short last night in his bid for the Strikeforce Welterweight title against champion Nick Diaz. The fight, although only lasting one round was one of the most exciting single rounds in mma history with both fighters gaining the upper hand at various points.
Daley dropped Diaz at one point but Diaz solid chin allowed him to take the blow, drop to the floor and use his superior guard to recover from a shot which, as seen in previous Daley fights, usually means the end for the Britons opponents. Diaz did however largely have the better of the stand up in the fight with Daley even forced to shoot in for a take down at one point as Diaz peppered him with shots. In the end Diaz clipped Daley with a right hook, sending him to the floor where upon Diaz finished him with strikes with 3 seconds remaining on the clock. The result means Diaz has now defended his title 3 times since October and has won 10 straight fights since leaving the UFC.
Nick’s fellow Cesar Gracie team mate Gilbert Melendez also had a brief appearance last night, also defending his Lightweight title in the first round against Tatsuya Kawajiri. “Crusher” Had been expected to use his stand up and immense power to test Melendez in a way his countryman Shinya Aoki had been unable to do when he had faced Melendez in April 2010. It didn’t work out that way however with Melendez battering Kawajiri from the get got before TKO’ing him on the ground.
How would the 2 Cesar Gracie guys do against the GSP’s and Frankie Edgars of the UFC? On last nights evidence, whilst they may be unsuccessful the fights would be a lock to be some of the most exciting we’ve seen.
Gegard Mousasi faced late replacement and UFC refugee Keith Jardine. The fight ended up as a draw despite Mousasi ending the fight looking much the same as he did when he started the build up (minus the flat cap) and Jardine looking a bloody mess. Mousasi was deducted a point in the first round for an illegal upick and it would seem that that was what has saved the Dean of Mean who was impressive in that he didn’t get KO’d on a major televised broadcast.
The card also featured the return to Strikeforce of Shinya Aoki. Aoki had of course come up short against Gilbert Melendez on his previous visit to the 6 sided cage but had won 3 straight mma bouts since then (we’ll ignore the mixed rules loss to Nagashima to spare his blushes). This time Aoki was to face Lyle Beerbohm who was looking to rebound from his first career loss. Aoki made quick work of the American though, forcing him to tap to a neck crank after taking Beerbohm back early on in the first round.