Shields puts on dominant performance to best Hendo in five rounds; Gets in post fight scuffle
Underdog and Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields weathered a early scare in the first round to grind out a five round decision over veteran Dan Henderson to retain his title in Nashville, TN. Shields used a combination of jabs and takedowns to get Henderson grounded. It was a brilliant game plan brought forth by Shields, one that almost did not get to see the light of day. In the very first minute of the very first round, Henderson unleashed his patented right hand with such force that it immediately dropped Shields when it hit its mark. It seemed that Shields was out but was able to regain his senses and attempted to lock on a leg lock. He would hit the canvas once more via a Hendo uppercut. “I was dizzy. I didn’t know where I was the first minute,” said Shields of the blows. He would compose himself and have Henderson working on his back for the remainder of the fight, scoring with takedowns and jabs. “Jake had a great game plan. He covered well on top and stayed there, and I did a very bad job getting up. He deserves all the respect,” said Henderson on his loss.
Shields victory was all but besmirched as during his post fight interview Jason “Mayhem” Miller interrupted and asked for a rematch. Shields pushed Miller away and bedlam broke loose as Nick and Nate Diaz and the rest of the Caesar Gracie team were caught in a scuffle with the Strikeforce middleweight. It made for good TV but ultimately left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth as mma received a shot to the gut on the national stage. “I really apologize for that, He came up in my face, came up talking crap. Unfortunately I pushed him. I overreacted,” said Shields.
Melendez shuts out Aoki to defend Strikeforce Lightweight title
Gilber Melendez pushed his way to the top of the pound for pound lightweight lists with a blow out win over Japan’s best Lightweight and Dream champion Shinya Aoki. The judges ruled unanimously in his favor. For Melendez it proved to be the biggest win of his career but the fighter still seems to be looking for much deserved recognition, “I beat the No. 2 guy in the world, possibly No. 1. I think I deserve a little love,” Said Melendez. He showed absolutely no love to Aoki, who in all of five rounds scored a total of only 18 strikes. Meledenz took the fight to his Japanese counterpart, using jabs to the head and body to back Aoki repeatedly. It allowed Aoki to stay off the ground, an area in which he has legendary status as one if not thee best submission artist today. He desperately tried to get the fight to the ground, but was blanked out according to compuStrike numbers. The Japanese fighter attemtped takedowns on 17 different occasions, all of which were negated. It was a tactful battle that highlighted contrasting styles, “Against this guy here, he’s very intelligent and it’s like a chess match, so I couldn’t make any mistakes,” Melendez said. “I wish I could have pulled the trigger a little more, but this guy’s real dangerous.”
King Mo gets title coronation, has 5 round war with Mousasi
The trash talk between King Mo Lawal and Gegard Mousasi had reached a fever pitch coming into their StrikeForce lightweight championship title bout. Mo had called Mousasi everything from Kermit the frog to anything short of world class. Mousasi kept his cool throughout the press tour and promised he would knock out the former collegiate wrestling champion. He questioned Mo’s conditioning and said he would fade out by the third round. In reality, Mousasi may have underestimated the resilient Mo, who for five grueling rounds put on a takedown clinic to finally lay claim to the throne of StrikeForce Light heavyweight champion. Judges scored it unanimously in favor of the Tennessee native who awkwardly received boos when he was awarded the StrikeForce belt. Mo responded right away, ” I’m going to keep winning, so thank you to all my haters.”
It seemed as if Mousasi had made a correct prediction by the end of the first. For most of the round Mo had his way with the Armenian fighter, taken him down at will and landing ground and pound shots. But by late in the round, Mo was swinging for the fences and seemed visibly exhuasted, the end seemed near. Mousasi was never able to take advantage of this as the constant level changes and lack of takedown defense had him on his back in each and every round. Mo continued to keep busy gaining his second wind in the 4th. By that time, Mousasi either needed a submission or Knockout to win the fight, none of which he could do as the hip heavy Lawal kept him grounded. In the final thirty second sin the round Mousasi swung for the fences, now showing signs of fatigue, Lawal clever ducked under and scored another takedown to end the round with a exclamation point.
In the un-televised undercard:
Ovince St. Preaux def. Chris Hawk via TKO in R1 (0:47)
Andrew Uhrich def. Dustin West via rear-naked choke in R1 (1:36)
Jason “Mayhem” Miller def. Tim Stout via TKO in R1 (3:09)
Cale Yarbrough def. Josh Schockman via TKO in R2
Zach Underwood def. Hunter Worsham via unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,29-28)
Dustin Ortiz def. Justin Pennington via rear-naked choke in R1 (4:27)
Cody Floyd def. Thomas Campbell via KO in R3 (0:41)
