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03/26/08
Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le – Fight by Fight
Saturday California’s Strikeforce will pair up once again with Showtime’s Elite XC to bring us an action-packed card, featuring rising superstar Cung Le, former UFC champion and MMA legend Frank Shamrock, Strikeforce world lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, Drew Fickett, and Joey Villasenor.
The Legend vs. The Prodigy Frank Shamrock (24-8-1) vs. Cung Le (5-0) Frank Shamrock has been in the fight game a long time, making his pro debut against Bas Rutten in Pancrase in 1994. He built a name for himself defeating the likes of Rutten, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, and Vernon “Tiger” White. In the UFC, Shamrock defeated Kevin Jackson in Japan to claim the UFC light heavyweight title, and followed up with a career ending slam against Igor Zinoviev. Shamrock went on to defeat Jeremy Horn, John Lober, and Tito Ortiz. Following the Ortiz fight, Shamrock forfeited the UFC title due to “retirement”, but came back to defeat Elvis Sinosic in K-1. Shamrock then claimed the WEC light heavyweight championship when he defeated Bryan Pardoe in 2003. Three years passed before Shamrock fought again, facing Cesar Gracie in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist’s first MMA bout. Shamrock knocked out Gracie in only twenty-one seconds, but followed up with a loss via DQ against Renzo Gracie in 2007 (illegal knees to the back of the head on the ground). Most recently, Shamrock defeated Phil Baroni to claim Strikeforce’s middleweight title. Cung Le rose to prominence in martial arts in san shou kickboxing. Following a successful career in kickboxing, which included three wins in three fights in K-1, Le entered mixed martial arts. He won his debut against Mike Altman at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie, and has followed up with four more wins. In his biggest challenges, he stopped Jason Von Flue with a cut, and had third round stoppages over Tony Fryklund and Sam Morgan.
Predictions: Justin – Shamrock tries to strike with Le, but just can’t keep up with the younger, hungrier fighter. After defending takedowns and outstriking Shamrock, Le will end the fight by TKO in round three. Dave - Shamrock should have no problems controlling all aspects of this fight with Cung. Expect Frank to once again put on a show for the hometown fans and give Le his first professional loss. Frank by submission Round 2.
Josh Thomson: "I am sure that Frank thinks he is safer the closer he is to Cung. I also think deep down in his mind he remembers sparring with Cung years ago and so I'm sure he also remembers how many times he was dropped in those sparring sessions. If he goes into the clinch with Cung, that will be a mistake and he will get thrown to the ground. The bottom line is that the fight always starts on the feet and Cung is better than Frank in the standup game. I have to favor Frank for this fight as far as experience is concerned but I am going to have to take Cung to win this fight."
Bas Rutten: "This is a difficult one to call and it depends on how good Frank's striking is. Cung is going to try and keep some distance so that he can utilize his kicks. The other question is can Frank take this fight to the ground? Nobody knows Cung's real ground experience but I have the feeling that he knows more than most people think. I think it is going to be a great fight and if it goes to the ground, Frank will win. If they stay standing, Cung will have the advantage as he has been in alot more stand-up fights than Frank has. Honestly this fight could go either way."
Maurice "MO" Smith "Of course, I see Frank winning this fight. I have been down here in San Jose for the last month working with Frank on increasing his striking. Cung is taking a real big step up in competition from the guys he has fought to Frank. I would compare it to a new Pro Boxer facing Muhammad Ali in his first fight. He does have a striker's chance of hurting Frank but I just don't see it happening. Frank doesn't have to worry about his ground game because Cung doesn't have one. Since I have been here, Frank has been able to put alot more power into his kicks, knees and punches. I admire Cung's heart but I don't see him winning this fight."
Rick "The Jet" Roufus "Cung comes from a standup background and even though he has converted to MMA now. He is taking on one of the best submission grapplers ever. What can I say Frank Shamrock is the best. I just hope that Cung is prepared because he definitely bit into a Big Apple for this fight. Cung’s only chance is to keep Frank off of him and that is going to be tough to do for the whole fight."
El Nino Returns to CA Gilbert Melendez (13-1) vs. Gabe Lemley (11-6) Coming off the first loss of his professional career, Gilbert Melendez is still recognized across the board as one of the top tier fighters in the lightweight division. After a decision upset in Japan to Mitsuhiro Ishida, Melendez was aiming to fight Josh Thompson or compete in Dream’s lightweight tournament. Neither came through, and talks of a fight with Chute Boxe’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach were brought up. After struggling to secure an opponent, “El Nino” finally has one. Melendez was on a roll prior to his loss, defeating Stephen Palling (the only man to defeat Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto), Rumina Sato, Harris Sarmiento, Clay Guida, and Tatsuya Kawajiri. Melendez is the owner of Strikeforce’s world lightweight championship and will defend his belt against Lemley on Saturday night. Gabe Lemley is a relative unknown in mixed martial arts, but has been fighting since 2000. The Iowa Despite a quality win over Guida, the only other time that Lemley has faced notable opposition he has lost, tapping out to Hideo Tokoro in 2005. native’s biggest win came in 2004 when he submitted UFC veteran Clay Guida by armbar.
Predictions: Justin – Melendez comes out mean and hungry following his close decision loss to Ishida. Look for Melendez to push the pace, brawling with Lemley, and using his wrestling to set up vicious ground and pound. Melendez stops Lemley by TKO in round two. Dave - Hats off to Lemley for taking this fight on short notice but don't expect Gilbert to do him any favors. Melendez should get the KO in Round 1.
Chasing the Title Drew Fickett vs. Jae Suk-Lim Drew Fickett, who was originally slated to fight Jake Shields in a title bout Saturday night before Shields had to pull out due to a back injury. Will now face Suk Lim who was to fight Nick Diaz who was forced to pull-out by the CSAC. With 37 professional fights, Drew will definitely hold an experience advantage over Suk Lim. Fickett has notable wins over Kenny Florian, Josh Neer and Josh Koscheck. He has won three fights in a row since his loss to Karo Parisyan. Jae Suk Lim, a Spirit MC champion, is on a two-fight win streak and will fight for the second time in America on Saturday. While unknown to a majority of American mixed martial arts fans, Lim is in fact a quality opponent and will be a serious challenge for Fickett. Lim holds notable wins over Yoon Young Kim, an Elite XC win over Daniel Pinedo, and Young Choi. Predictions: Dave - Look for Fickett to try and get this fight to the mat as soon as possible and start looking for ways to submit Suk-Lim. Since not much is known about his new opponent, Fickett probably won't play around too much and give Suk-Lim a chance to surprise him. Fickett via submission Round 1.
Vindication Joey Villasenor (24-6) vs. Ryan Jensen (11-3) While a quality fighter from a quality team, Joey Villasenor has struggled against equal level opposition. Villasenor has pulled in big wins, defeating Jorge Santiago and a faded David Loiseau, but in PRIDE dropped two fights to Ryo Chonan and Robbie Lawler. Last year he faced Murilo “Ninja” Rua for the EXC middleweight title, but lost in the second round by TKO. Most recently “Smokin’ Joe” defeated Riki Fukuda in a gift decision. Ryan Jensen has struggled lately as well, losing two in a row in his big shot in the UFC. At UFC 74 he was stopped by Thales Leites, and at UFC 77 Demian Maia ended his night early. Jensen has also lost to David Terrel and Brock Larson, but holds wins over Curtis Stout, Travis Fulton, and Rob Kimmons.
Predictions: Justin – Jensen just isn’t cut out for fighters of Villasenor’s level, and doesn’t have the same training partners and coaches as “The Dream Smasher”. Look for Villasenor to outstrike Jensen and exploit holes in the Nebraska native’s game, winning a one-sided decision.
Additional Bouts: Mike Kyle vs. Wayne Cole
***STAY TUNED FOR FIGHTER'S PREDICTIONS AND OUTLOOK ON THE MAIN EVENT FEATURING SHAMROCK VS. LE!!!***
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