Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz Live Results and Commentary

[SinCitysmallGUY]

Brent Brookhouse taking over here.  The main card is about to start.

Gus Johnson talking about Strikeforce's big main events of the past and I have to say, on standard def this picture looks really crisp.

Gina is shown as Mauro says she may be the most popular fighter in the sport male or female.  Tito is shown and booed.  Nice reaction for Arlovski.  Alistair Overeem is shown to no reaction.  A few other fighters are shown finishing up with Cung Le who gets a really good reaction.  Pat Miletich is shown in the booth now so there's your broadcast team.

The place is packed according to Mike Rome who is in the arena and there was a 10 bell salute for Mask.

As a reminder in Strikeforce there are no elbows on the ground.

Brett Rogers vs. Abongo Humphries - Round 1 -Humphries is way small for a heavyweight at 5'11".  Humphries is spinning and kicking but they were fairly pointless.  High kick from Humphries is blocked.  Left hook from Rogers is answered by a low kick.  Clinch by Humphries now and Rivers with great takedown defense for a man his size keeping balance on one leg.  Solid combo from Rogers looks like it hurt Humphries but Abongo with a body shot in return.  Three punch combo now by Brett capped off with a right hand to the jaw.  Flurry of uppercuts from Rogers.  Low kick trips Rogers and he stands right back up.  Huge knee to the chin from Rogers but Humphries is fine. Right hand by Rogers and Humphries' legs are wobbly.  Two knees to the head and Rogers is warned for grabbing the hair.  Another warning for grabbing seconds later.  Bretr is so big compared to Abongo.  Right hand lands flush and now Rogers is having a point taken away for grabbing the hair.  I'm sorry but dreads shouldn't be allowed in the cage when you're holding the head you are holding on and it can happen naturally.  Uppercuts from Rogers to end the round.  9-9 on my card due to the taking of a point.  Round 2 - Humphries spins after feinting with a low kick and now Rogers charges in.  Single leg attempt by Humphries but Rogers defends well.  Solid punches landing for Brett now.  Flurry of huge shots from Rogers and Humphries is showing a GREAT chin.  Two HUGE knees right to the chin now and Humphries is just taking it.  Finally Rogers pours it on and Humphries finally collapses and the fight is over.  Brett Rogers wins by TKO, round 2.

Christiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. Hitomi Akano - Huge reception for Gina as she is shown at ringside and Gus says her and Cyborg would be one of the biggest fights of the year. Round 1 - Cyborg is all over her with huge punches.  Akano survives going for a takedown but suffers a German suplex by Santos.  Akano goes for an armbar but can't finish but does get full guard.  Cyborg with the ground and pound now.  Cyborg stands up and drops bombs and then makes Akano stand back up.  Takedown by Cyborg after some more punches and they stand back up.  Low kick and then a left hook from Cyborg and the round ends.  10-8 Cyborg on my card.  Round 2 - Akano is trying to get a takedown but she isn't stron enough and it involves eating a lot of shots.  Akano is exhausted and can't finish a double leg.  NOt much to call here except Cyborg doing whatever the hell she wants.  Flying armbar attempt by Akano but she just ends up getting guard. Akano is going for a high guard but she is just not able to deal with Santos' strength.  Now it's Cyborg landing big shots against the cage.  The round ends and it's commendable that Akano is still in there but she is exhausted.  10-9 Cyborg.  Round 3 - Cyborg with big shots after a failed leg lock attempt.  Now Akano is hurt.  Cyborg drops her and it's all over.  Christiane "Cyborg" Santos wins by TKO, round 3.  After the fight Cyborg says she missed weight because of a "girl problem" and Gus Johnson accepts the apology for all the fans...whatever.

Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach - Round 1 - Stiff jabs from Radach and now an overhand right.  Smith charges with a kick to the body.  Smith is looking for a single right hand or high kick while Radach looks more versatile.  Low kick from Smith now.  Right hand from Radach counters a low kick from Smith. Right hand from Smith.  Smith is bleeding from the mouth.  Left hook, right hand land for Radach.  Smith hurts Benji. and Radach fires back and drops Smith.  Now Smith is covering against the cage.  Right hand by Radach.  Left hook now and Smith's legs are ready to go.  Radach shoots and gets a double leg.  Working punches to the body now.  Huge right hand ground and pound from Radach and the round ends.  10-9 Radach, it was even and the takedown/GNP stole it.  Round 2 -  Tito shown to huge boos between rounds.  Radach looks for a takedown early but can't finish.  They clinch against the cage with no action and separate.  Jabs from Radach are landing solid.  Right hand from Smith glances off Radach's cheek.  Right hand counter by Smith.  Radach remains more dynamic with his hands.  Huge right and Smith is hurt.  He's dropped by a follow up right.  Now Radach with a guillotine but he can't finish.  Smith is bleeding badly.  Smith has huge heart but he is getting beat up this fight.  They separate from the clinch now.  Left hook from Radach and he isn't forcing anything to happen. The crowd keeps booing whenever they slow down but this is an action fight.  10-9 Radach, he could have finished striking...the guillotine attempt was dumb.  Round 3  - Right hand from Smith so Radach shoots for a double and Smith goes for a guillotine and is slammed by Radach.  Mauro calls it a "slamma jamma"  Milletich is by far the best guy in the booth tonight.  Radach is bleeding from the eye.  They're stood back up now.  Smith is swinging for the fences.Right hand lands.  Jab hurts Radach.  Smith gets buzzed by a right hand and backs off for a few moments.  Right hand from Smith and Radach goes down.  It's over!  Oh my!  Scott Smith wins by KO, round 3.  Wow, Smith has so much heart and he's just NEVER out of it.

OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE 14,409

Gilbert Melendez vs. Rodrigo Damm - Round 1 - Damm circling to the left (into Gilbert's power) and gets caught with a right hand.  To the ground they go with Melendez on top.  Damm working for an omoplata but can't lock it.  Melendez with a night right hand.  Damm is trying to work off his back but Gilbert passes to half with some big punches.  It's been a lot more of the same with Melendez landing big punches from on top.  Now shots to the ribs of Damm.  Damm had a chance to lock up a triangle as the round ends but the buzzer sounds.  10-9 Melendez Round 2 - Takedown from Melendez is stopped.  Right hand from Gil and then another stuffed shot.  Damm looks tired and there is a long way to go.  Melendez with some nice punches standing.  Right hand drops Damm and he is out.  Melendez with a few more punches and it's over.  Gilbert Melendez wins by KO, round 2.

Revised official attendance: 15, 211

[SinCitysmallGUY]

Nick Diaz vs. Frank Shamrock - Round 1 - Low kick from Diaz.  Frank is jabbing.  Diaz catches a kick and puts Shamrock down.  Pass to side control and Diaz goes for a keylock and Shamrock stands right back up.  Frank is working in and out but the length of Diaz is giving him some trouble.  Body kick by Shamrock.  Jab lands for Diaz.  He sticks his chin out and Frank lands a right hand to it.  Low kick by Diaz.  Shamrock with a body kick again and gets taken down.  Diaz into side control.  Pass to full mount.  Diaz is throwing but isn't getting caught with anything meaningful.  10-9 Diaz.  Round 2 - Right hand from Diaz and Frank can't figure out the reach of Diaz.  Diaz is talking and talking which Mauro says makes him tremendous for the sport.  Flurry of punches lands for Diaz now.  Diaz is walking him down with punches and it honestly looks like Frank has no answer.  Right hand lands for Shamrock now.  Diaz is just landing whatever he wants at this point flurrying with Frank's back to the cage.  Punches and elbows landing for Diaz.  Shamrock drops and is eating shots now and the fight is over.  Nick Diaz wins by TKO, round 2.

[gracie bjj]

thanks for the fight breakdowns sincity, i was pulling for frank but diaz pulled it off in impressive fashion. frank took to much of a break from the sport imo, i think if they would have met back in 98 frank would of had a much better showing. i think both shamrocks need to stick to teaching and stay out of the cage, they had thier days in the sun and they both had very successful careers imo but that was 10+ years ago. im huge shamrock fans from the 90,s and still respect them alot and im not disrespecting them by no means, but im sure most will agree with me about them both hanging up thier speedos and just train fighters or do commentating work.

[LatsMcGee]

Frank seems like a smart guy,  I bet he finds himself one or two more big money fights and than walks away with his dignity.

[SinCitysmallGUY]

I was glad to see Nick win. Now I just want to see if he can pass the drug test. If I was the Athletic Commision I would be drawing blood with his latest comment about how he can pass any test and still smoke just days before a fight. Or pull a hair folacle test on him and take it from the pits! Dude would be fucked then for running his mouth to much..


Glad to see Nick get the win though, we all know he has a chance at a promising career as to where Shammy is almost done.

[tommywishbone]

Shamrock is cool cat IMO. He bought us all lunch Friday afternoon, at a little BBQ place down the street from the HP Pavillion. I was hoping he had an answer for Diaz... unfortunately Diaz is just too young, too strong and too hungry.

Real nice write-up Sin City.