Strikeforce's first major show since the acquisition of EliteXC's assets will be taking place this weekend at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The event will have plenty of battles that both hardcore and casual fans can equally enjoy with it all culminating into a main event catchweight battle between former UFC and EliteXC heavy-handed striker "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler and EliteXC veteran grappler Jake Shields. It should be a true grappler vs. striker matchup that is as intriguing as they come outside of the UFC.
Another solid main card catchweight matchup will feature former UFC, PRIDE, and EliteXC fighter Nick Diaz taking on another former UFC fighter in the heavy-handed Scott Smith. Diaz is currently riding a four-fight win streak that includes a destructive victory over Strikeforce's bread winner Frank Shamrock back on April 11th. Smith is equally riding a wave of success with two big wins via knockout over Terry Martin and Benji Radach.
Stylistically, both fighters offer different advantages in the cage. Diaz is your prototypical well-rounded fighter. He has great submission skills, phenomenal defensive jiu-jitsu, unreal conditioning, solid boxing skills on the feet and smothering control on the ground.
Smith isn't a ground expert, but he's proven to have the heart of a lion when it comes to fighting. Smith's heart allowed him to persevere through injury to give him just enough time to knockout Pete Sell at the Ultimate Fighter Finale 4. Smith can't win on heart alone however, so he's employed some heavy-handed striking, a solid chin, and a vision for the knockout into his skillset that has continued to deliver big wins.
