· Possible Fourth Fight Offered For “Strikeforce: Nashville” On CBS
Although “Strikeforce: Nashville” features an inordinate number of title fights for the promotion’s second CBS card, Strikeforce intends on adding a fourth bout to the televised portion of the event as well. With the title bouts having the potential of running the full 25 minutes, combining for a total 75 minutes of action, as opposed to the previous CBS event which held just over 65 minutes of total fight time, the logistics of adding another bout could prove difficult.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently said that the potential for some bouts to end in the first round is enough for the company to fill the potential void between on the card. However, the fourth potential bout will be taped in advance, only to be shown if necessary. “We're probably going to have one fight on the undercard that's going to be taped, and if one of those (main-card) fights goes quick, they'll go right to that taped fight." Coker said. “We'll probably have something to announce on that next week, but I think there will be a three-round fight on the undercard that does get taped for CBS.”
Strikeforce has never been one to air their preliminary bouts on broadcasts, often drawing criticism from the “hardcore fanbase” as a result. An attempt to stream a preliminary bout on EA Sports.com in their last event ran far-less smoothly than expected and raised the ire of fans everywhere who tuned in to find a slow or stilted stream, essentially missing most of the action
If all three fights go the distance, there is no guarantee that the bout in question will be seen. However, it would not be surprising for some to come to a finish before the 25-minute time limit.
The event is set to be headlined by a middleweight title clash between Jake Shields and former Pride Champion Dan Henderson. Given the strengths, and records, of both fighters, this bout has the potential to go the distance. Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Shields (29-4-1) has fought to a judge’s decision 15-times in his career. Henderson (32-7) has reached the cards 17-times.
While Henderson has shown tremendous knockout power in the past, Shields has never been finished. Similarly, though Shields jiu-jitsu skills are among the best in MMA, Henderson has thwarted takedown attempts from more accomplished grapplers in the past.
A bout between Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi and highly touted prospect Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal is the least likely candidate to go to the judges. Mousasi (31-2-1) is currently riding a 15-fight win-streak, with only two of those wins coming by decision. Lawal (6-0) has only seen the final bell once in his career. Both men posses knockout power, and brutal ground and pound; what Mousasi lacks in pure wrestling is made up for in grappling, and vice-versa for Lawal.
The third and final title bout is a lightweight clash between Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez and Dream Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki. Both men are very accomplished grapplers, and are considered top-tier lightweights. Melendez (19-2) has demonstrated marked improvement in his striking skills, particularly in his boxing game. Meanwhile Aoki (28-4, 1 NC) has shown that although he is an absolutely brilliant grappler, defeating several elite grapplers in his illustrious career, he has also shown he is capable of being badly hurt or knocked out. Three of his four career losses came by way of knockout. While Melendez has never been finished, he has been out-grappled in the past. Though the two could potentially go to a decision, there is still a much greater chance of the bout coming to an end before five rounds have passed.
"Strikeforce: Nashville," takes place April 17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The event airs live at 9 p.m. ET, with a tape delay on the West Coast.
