A Clash of Hard Heads and Fast Fists: Thoughts on Daley/Smith and Lindland/Lawler

The world’s #2 MMA promotion looks to end the year in a big way when Strikeforce holds its upcoming “Henderson vs. Babalu 2” event, scheduled to take place December 4 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. While all eyes are obviously on the main event, which sees PRIDE FC legend Dan Henderson face former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato Sobral, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently commented that two of the other main card bouts will most likely have serious championship implications: a Middleweight showdown between Matt Lindland and Robbie Lawler, and the fight that will see the Strikeforce debut of controversial striker and UFC exile Paul Daley, who will meet heavy-handed “Comeback King” Scott Smith. Here are my thoughts on both these match-ups, which look to impress.

As a big fan of wild brawls, I can say with certainty that I’m really looking forward to both fights. This is very smart match-making on the part of Strikeforce, and I think everyone matches up really well against everyone else. All four men are known for their awesome punching power. You can never fully count out Robbie Lawler or Scott Smith, but you also have to respect the one-hit KO power of Matt Lindland and Paul Daley.

I think Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland will be the more technical fight of the two. Matt “The Law” Lindland is a very gifted, very wily veteran, so I don’t see him engaging just for the sake of engaging unless he’s absolutely sure that he’ll win the encounter. I see both men pushing the pace, but doing so in a very cerebral fashion. If Lawler wins, it’ll be a big win against a crafty veteran, the kind of victory that really helps set you up as a possible championship challenger. If Matt Lindland wins, he’ll have fully committed himself to a career rebirth that one day just might result in him wearing some Strikeforce gold.

Scott Smith vs. Paul Daley will see fists flying from the second the bell rings, though. I think Smith is honestly one of the best match-ups Strikeforce has for Paul Daley as he makes his way into the promotion. Smith will push the pace with reckless abandon, and he’s made more than one stellar comeback throughout his career. I’d honestly be quite shocked if this fight lasted all three rounds, I’d be even more shocked if it was a boring fight. This fight in particular has all the potential necessary to quite possibly steal the show.

If any of these four men finish their fight in dominating fashion, I think we’ll see them emerge as very worthy championship contenders heading into 2011. In particular, I’d go out of my way to see Paul Daley vs. Nick Diaz. That sounds like an absolutely amazing match on paper. But no matter what the future holds, I’m definitely looking forward to both Smith/Daley and Lawler/Lindland when Strikeforce goes live on December 4.

And what about you, fans and friends? What are your predictions and analysis for these two matches, and which two of these four men do you think will soon be challenging for a Strikeforce championship?