Missed opportunities and easy pickings at Strikeforce

Saturday evenings Strikeforce event saw a lot of action, drama, and blood. When I first saw this fight card, I knew I had to make time to enjoy it. Names like Bobby Lashley, KJ Noons, Jorge Grugel, and "Jacare" really got my attention. While the event was very entertaining, I found myself screaming at the television because of all the missed opportunities and sloppy boxing.

The Lashley-Griggs fight was interesting. Lashley took Griggs down from the get go and I thought he would end the fight in the first round. Then it just got bad. Through the fight, Griggs gave up countless choke and arm bar positions. A jujitsu ace would been a little kid in a candy store. The worst part is, Lashley didn’t go for it, or any for that fact. At the end, Bobby Lashley would gas out and suffer his first loss, even though he could’ve ended it in dominate fashion. Big ups to Chad Griggs for sticking to his game plan and not taking too much early damage.

KJ Noons looked great against Jorge Grugel. This was a real fun fight to watch. Both fighters stood and traded punches and kicks. I really like Jorge, but man is he stubborn. If he could’ve got that fight to the ground, he would’ve had a lot better chance winning. But he’s a show man. He loves to fight for the crowds and brawl it out. Give it up to KJ, with his ever improving boxing and muy thai. He earned that KO win. I really didn’t understand the "boos" he received during his interview.

This next fight really frustrated me. The whole time I was watching the Kennedy-Jacare bout, I kept saying, "Wow, Tim’s hands are really low and his chin is straight up." Jacare landed right hand after right hand and (in my opinion) won the fight because Kennedy couldn’t (or didn’t) keep the jabs away. Kennedy really impressed me with his takedown defense, going 4 for 4 against the takedowns. Tim was basically out pointed in a boxing match by a world class grappler. I honestly thought it was going to be a split decision for Kennedy, but the judges gave it unanimously to "Jacare" Souza.

"King" Mo and Feijao was the fight of the night. Big slams and crazy haymaker punches from both fighters, but REAL clean, crisp muy thai from Feijao. The knees that ended the bout were brutal and he showed the killer intstinct a fighter should have. I was really disgruntled with Mo’s hands being low, like Kennedy’s in the previous fight. Lawal and Lashley still have a long way to go in their careers, I’m sure they’ll come back with more ferocity and knowledge.

Overall, Strikeforce put on a good show. The commentators weren’t as annoying as they usually are, the refs had a rough night (as usual), but it was entertaining. They fighters that lost in all four televised fights had chances to win, but just missed the opportunities to do so. Is keeping your hands down the new fad of MMA? They are teaching proper technique in the gyms and training facilities, right? You severely cut down your chances of being KO’d if you keep your hands up. On the flip side, you could save yourself a loss or harm, or even steal a victory by knowing when to go for submissions. These follies make easy pickings for the "killer" fighters. We see it every where and in every promotion. Lets just hope they go back, sharpen their skills, and come back stronger.