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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
STRIKEFORCE: MELENDEZ VS. MASVIDAL
DECEMBER 17, 2011
LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIF.
-The Super Six finals in boxing goes a bit overtime into the beginning of the Strikeforce timeslot for tonight.
-After ten minutes of over run from the boxing broadcast, the Strikeforce broadcast is now a go, opening with a video package highlighting the two Champions defending their belts tonight.
-Ranallo runs down the card as they come back to the arena. Word is Strikeforce may be airing some prelims tonight if there's time. Ranallo then brings in Frank Shamrock (who still hasn't gotten out of those braces), and he breaks down the two fighters in the night's main event. Pat Miletich is the third man on the broadcast team tonight, and he breaks down the Women's Featherweight Championship bout.
-Strikeforce pushing the social networking aspect of viewing the event with plugs to follow along on their Facebook and Twitter feeds.
FIGHT ONE: K.J. NOONS VS. BILLY EVANGELISTA (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Noons came forward and landed a couple of inside leg kicks to start things off. Noons shot in and exploded with a takedown, but Evangelista worked his way back up. Evangelista then took the center and walked Noons down into a clinch on the cage. Noons landed a knee to the body. Evangelista landed a few short strikes. He grabbed for a single leg and took Noons down. He went for a guillotine but lost it. Standing again, Evangelista came in and initiated the clinch again. He landed a good knee and attempted to take Noons down again, but Noons held it off well on the cage. Noons landed a hard inside leg kick. He checked a return from Evangelista. Noons landed a hard knee to the body, but Evangelista grabbed a clinch and landed a few knees of his own and a few strikes. Evangelista landed a good left hook. He got in close again and they traded strikes. Noons landed a few good leg kicks again. Noons missed an uppercut but grazed a straight right as he continued the flurry. Evangelista clinched again and landed a knee before going for a single leg. He landed a knee to the bead with a headlock and they traded strikes to the end of the frame.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Evangelista. Good clinch work and more strikes landed give Evangelista the edge in the first round.
ROUND TWO: Noons landed a couple of early leg kicks again. Evangelista pressed in and landed one as well. Noons continued to throw the leg kick and then landed a big punch on Evangelista. He missed a spinning right kick and then landed a few punches in a row. Noons landed a body punch and Evangelista countered to the head. Noons circled the cage as Evangelista walked him down. Evangelista smiled as he got hit and shook his head. Noons hit him again and he reacted the same. Evangelista landed a good punch. Noons missed a punch and Evangelista connected. Evangelista continued to press in and held off a takedown. Evangelista landed a knee before they separated. Noons landed an uppercut. Evangelista continued smiling. Evangelista missed a few punches in combination. He pressed in and ate a knee as he came in for a takedown. Noons held it off but then ate a hook as he escaped. Noons connected on a jab. Noons missed an uppercut again and ate a knee in the clinch. Evangelista landed a few strikes against the cage before releasing. Noons pressed in for a takedown and was stuffed as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Noons. He had a higher output that round even though Evangelista pressed him for much of the frame.
ROUND THREE: Evangelista pressed in and landed a left. He landed a good short combination. Evangelista landed the right. Noons connected on an uppercut. Noons landed a hook. Evangelista connected but Noons countered again. Noons landed a jab. Noons landed a head kick but Evangelista took it. Noons missed a spinning back fist. Evangelista shot in but got stuffed on the cage. Noons landed a couple of leg kicks. Noons landed a hard jab. Noon landed the uppercut and a follow up. Noons landed a few more jabs. Noons landed a few as he got pressed to the cage. Evangelista landed a body shot. Evangelista was chasing but Noons was avoiding damage. Evangelista grabbed the clinch again but Noons got free. Noon shot in then and Evangelist caught him in a standing guillotine. Noons escaped and got to his feet. He landed an uppercut and a right hook but he's very tired now. Noons pressed in with pawing jabs. Evangelista said something to Noons in the cage. They swung wildly at each other. Noons landed another hrd left hook. Evangelista landed a hard short elbow in close. Noons pressed in and missed a few punches as the fight ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Noons. Evangelista connected at times there, but Noons was connecting a lot more and hitting the harder strikes that round.
WINNER: Noons via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
STAR RATING: (**) Sloppy fight at times, and Evangelista was far too happy to walk in and take punches and smile than actually trying to win the fight, but it was fun for what it was.
FIGHT TWO: OVINCE ST-PREUX VS. GEGARD MOUSASI (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Mousasi came to the center and St-Preux circled on the outside. St-Preux threw a body kick that Mousasi caught but then let go. Mousasi landed a couple of leg kicks. He blocked a high kick and kept the pressure on. Mousasi threw a kick high but it didn't land flush. He kept walking St-Preux down and kept his back on the cage. He landed a couple of punches in a short flurry. Mousasi landed another hard leg kick and then got in with a jab. He landed a hard left. Mousasi caught a kick from St-Preux and he took him down into half guard. Mousasi landed a hard elbow. St-Preux regained guard. Mousasi stood and landed some good punches. St-Preux landed an upkick, but Mousasi took side control. He landed a few good punches. He caught him in the crucifix but St-Preux powered out. Mousasi stayed on him and brought him back down into half guard again. Mousasi grabbed for a kimura and rolled through, but he lost it and St-Preux powered into Mousasi's half guard. Mousasi then swept St-Preux. He landed a few big strikes on the ground. He got the crucifix again and landed a series of punches to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Mousasi. St-Preux did nothing in that round and Mousasi controlled every aspect of the round.
ROUND TWO: St-Preux shot in early, but Mousasi then tripped him and took him down into guard. He postured up and passed to half guard. He landed a few punches. He got in with a couple of elbows as well. Mousasi continued to work from half guard. They were stood up after a little inaction. St-Preux threw a high kick, but Mousasi caught it and shot in. He tried to drag St-Preux down, but wound up on his back. Mousasi gave up side control. St-Preux couldn't do much with the position, though, and Mousasi escaped to his feet. St-Preux shot in but Mousasi sprawled as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mousasi. Not as dominant, and St-Preux briefly had a good position, but another round in for Mousasi.
ROUND THREE: Mousasi again took the center and pressed in. St-Preux jumped in with a kick and clinched. Mousasi turned him around on the cage, and then took him down. St-Preux gave up his back and stood up. St-Preux turned Mousasi around, grabbed for a single leg, and managed a takedown into side control. He landed a punch. The crowd booed as he didn't do much. St-Preux went for mount, and Mousasi escaped. St-Preux stayed on it and got back to mount, but now for long. Mousasi escaped, grabbed a double leg and drove St-Preux across the cage to score a takedown. St-Preux gave up his back. He stood up. Mousasi tried to trip him but landed on his back, but he scrambled and wound up on top again. Mousasi continued to work as the ref again told him to work to improve position. St-Preux escaped. Mousasi wound up on his back and ate a punch. St-Preux stood up and ate an up kick. Mousasi tried to escape himself. St-Preux tried to set up a D'Arce choke but time wore out in the fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 St-Preux. Close round, could be 10-10, can see 10-9 Mousasi, but St-Preux had the best position with the mount in the round and had some decent grappling and striking there.
WINNER: Mousasi via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
STAR RATING: (**-) This was one fighter taking a giant leap up in competition and not being ready for it. St-Preux was out of his element all fight, and it was a mostly one-sided bout for Mousasi despite dropping the last round.
ROUND ONE: Cyborg dropped Yamanaka immediately, but Yamanaka grabbed for a leg. She got to her feet, but Cyborg rushed in at her again and blasted her on the cage. Yamanaka dropped for a second time and the ref jumped in a little quick. Still, had it continued she was very likely getting dropped with another one of those flurries, and there's nothing wrong with the stoppage.
WINNER: "Cyborg" via TKO at :16 of the first round
STAR RATING: (*+) It wasn't really much of a fight. It was Cyborg rushing in quick and completely overwhelming an overmatched opponent. There just isn't anyone for her to fight right now in this weight class.
-Mauro Ranallo asked "Cyborg" about Ronda Rousey, and she said she thinks Rousey talks too much and said "anytime, anywhere."
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FOUR: GILBERT MELENDEZ VS. JORGE MASVIDAL (LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
ROUND ONE: Both fighters circled each other early in a tentative start. Melendez threw some jabs to test the range but Masvidal was out of reach. Melendez connected on a right. He got through with another two punch combination. Masvidal landed a leg kick but ate a couple more punches. Melendez circled around. Masvidal dropped his arms and he ate a right from Melendez. Masvidal threw a high kick but it was blocked. Melendez faked a nice tap and threw an overhand right. They traded strikes in a nice little flurry. Melendez landed a left. Masvidal tripped Melendez with a foot kick, but Melendez popped up. Masvidal landed a hard leg kick. Melendez landed a body punch. Melendez caught a kick from Masvidal and grabbed a standing guillotine. He landed a knee and Masvidal put a hand on the ground. Melendez waited for Masvidal to get his hand off the ground and he landed two more knees. Masvidal broke loose and came forward. Melendez landed a combination. Masvidal connected, but Melendez countered. Masvidal threw a high kick as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Melendez. He controlled that round, landed some very nice strikes and avoided much of Masvidal's attack.
ROUND TWO: Melendez missed a big left hook to begin the round. Masvidal landed a jab. Melendez landed a three punch combo to the body and head. Masvidal landed a left. Melendez caught a kick and landed a nice right. He backed up Masvidal to the cage and landed a left hook. Masvidal got his back off the cage and Melendez circled. He blocked a high kick from Masvidal. Melendez walked Masvidal down and landed a leg kick. He landed a short flurry and again Masvidal dropped his hands. Melendez landed a leg kick again. Melendez with a jab. Melendez landed a hard leg kick and added one to the body on the cage. Masvidal landed a left. Melendez landed a big right to the body. Masvidal landed a left to the body and jumped in with a knee but got sent back. Melendez faked a takedown and landed a right. Melendez connected on a jab. Melendez landed a right. Melendez slowed the output a bit and circled on the outside. The round ended as they squared off.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Melendez. He's ahead through two, and doing a good job of controlling the pace and location of the fight thus far.
ROUND THREE: Masvidal came across the cage to start the round but Mlenedez circled and landed the first strikes of the round. Melendez shot but Masvidal held it off. They traded strikes. Masvidal pressed in but ate a two punch combo. Masvidal landed a jab. He threw a flying knee that connected, but Melendez was alright. Melendez walked in and landed a combo. Masvidal landed a right. Melendez pressed in with strikes and landed a few on the cage. Masvidal landed a coupe. Melendez pressed in again with another flurry but Masvidal blocked a few. Melendez landed a left. Masvidal landed a good body shot and a few strikes in combination. Masvidal connected on a left but ate a few punches. Melendez landed a few more and pressed Masvidal to the cage again, but Masvidal circled away. Masvidal threw a left kick high but it was blocked. Melendez pressed in with another combination on the cage. A lot of the punches aren't getting through, but Melendez continues to connect. Masvidal missed a spinning back kick as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Melendez. Masvidal got in some more damage than he had in the first two rounds, but Melendez continues to press the pace and continues to land more strikes overall.
ROUND FOUR: Melendez took the center to start the first of the Championship rounds. He landed a few jabs. He connected on a short combo. He pressed in with another short combo. Melendez landed a right. Melendez continued to find a home for his two punch combo. Masvidal landed a left but ate a counter. Melendez landed a left. He connected again. Masvidal dropped his arms again. Masvidal finally got in with a left. Melendez turned him around on the cage and landed a body kick and a couple of punches. They traded punches in the center. And again. Melendez with another quick combo. Masvidal landed the left but got countered again. Masvidal landed a jab. Melendez with another short combo. He landed another few strikes. Melendez with a combo, Masvidal with a short one of his own. Masvidal threw a knee but it didn't land flush. They traded punches as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Melendez. Masvidal is doing damage to Melendez's face, but he's not following up at all when he's landing and he's not able to find any consistency in this fight right now.
ROUND FIVE: Masvidal landed a good left to start things. Melendez came back with a short flurry. Melendez engaged with another short combo. Masvidal landed a hard uppercut. Masvidal landed a jab. He went for the knee again but it didn't land. Melendez connected on a few punches. He landed a right to the jaw. Melendez landed a nice combo. Masvidal connected on a short flurry. Masvidal landed a nice three punches in succession. Melendez landed another flurry. Masvidal landed the jab again, but ate three in return. Story of the fight right there. Masvidal landed a right, ate a flurry. Melendez landed a body shot. Melendez landed another combo. Melendez landed another right and a few jabs. Masvidal missed the knee again and ate another big right. Melendez with another flurry. Melendez landed the jab again. Masvidal's head snapped back on another punch. Melendez landed a nice flurry. Masvidal came forward with a flurry but ate a bunch more punches again. Melendez continued to throw. Masvidal shot in for a single leg with 15 seconds left, but Melendez popped up and the fight ended in the clinch.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Melendez. Clean sweep for the Champ. Melendez simply kept pouring on the offense while Masvidal did not in this one. Hard to win a fight landing one punch while six are coming your way.
WINNER: Melendez via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
STAR RATING: (**-) That just wasn't a good fight overall. Melendez had no desire to do any more than keep the pressure on and throw strikes, rinse and repeat, and Masvidal didn't kick into another gear until the final minute of a 25 minute fight. Masvidal could have done a lot more, but failed to, and Melendez skirted by against a fighter he was supposed to beat. It was a fight he needed to win, and he did, but there just wasn't much to the fight even though it went all 25 minutes.
-That's a wrap for Strikeforce in 2011. Thanks as always for joining us tonight; stick with us this week and next as we turn our attention to the final UFC event of 2011 with the massive UFC heavyweight bout between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem at UFC 140.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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