Strikeforce Miami Preview (Now With More Tecmo Bowl)

There should be no lack of excitement when Strikeforce Miami takes place from the BankAtlantic Center this Saturday. You have good guys, villains, MMA debuts and championship belts at stake. Here’s our preview along with our picks for the card.

Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis
This fight is for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis may have steamrolled his way through the challengers of Dream, but Nick Diaz is not about to be knocked out by a head kick. Diaz is at the top of his game and will get Zaromskis to the ground. As soon as that happens it’s uh-oh time for “The Whitemare”. Pick: Rollin’ with Diaz

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Marloes Coenen
Another title fight, this one for the Strikeforce Women’s Championship. Marloes Coenen isn’t new to this. She’s in her 10th year as a professional MMA fighter. She quickly submitted Roxanne Modafferi in Chicago and has 12 subs in her 17 wins. If she can get Cyborg to the ground she could submit her. Cyborg’s lone loss came when she was subbed. But while Coenen is the more skilled fighter, the strength and power of Cyborg will likely be too much. Pick: Cyborg by TKO

Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef
Melvin Manhoef may be all the rage for some fans, but beating fat Mark Hunt and an old Sakuraba doesn’t do much for me. Lawler’s bane has been getting caught in subs. He won’t have to worry about that at all against Manhoef. Lawler will dictate where this fight goes. If he restrains himself from getting in a sloppy brawl and gets Manhoef thinking about takedowns, Lawler will knock him out. Pick: Lawler the Brawler

Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims
I suppose Wes Sims is “a name” considering his recent appearance on TUF and his days in the UFC. But Sims is MMA 1.0. Lashley is a massive beast that is a decorated college wrestler. Think Roy Nelson and Kimbo. That’s how this will go. Lashley will get top position and pound him out. Yay. Pick: Lashley by smotherage

Herschel Walker vs. Greg Nagy
Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of Greg Nagy. Me neither. I’ll pick Walker because he was awesome in Tecmo Bowl. That might not make sense, but neither does a 47-year old man making his MMA debut. You wanna fight about it? Pick: Guy that was in Tecmo Bowl