Next for Rhadi Ferguson: Rhadi is still a bit raw, so I think he’ll have to contend on the Challengers shows for most, but possibly not all, of 2011. Ferguson displayed a lot of grappling prowess, but he’s still a work-in-progress fighter when it comes to being a complete Mixed Martial Artist. I’m not saying this out of disrespect, I just think Rhadi is a newcomer with lots of potential and looked a bit green at “Challengers 13”. He’s got a bright future, but in the here and now, he needs the kind of experience that only “Challengers” can uniquely give him.

Next for Amanda Nunes: I rarely support giving fighters immediate title shots, but I’m making an exception here. Nunes stole the show at “Challengers 13”, her amazing fourteen-second KO was easily the highlight of the night. I think Nunes should face Cristiane Santos as early as possible, because she seems to be one of the few legitimate threats to the throne of “Cyborg”.

Next for Devin Cole: The big brawny veteran would be a pretty good gatekeeper both on main cards and “Challengers” shows. There’s not an ounce of quit in Devin Cole, and he’s the kind of talented veteran that any promotion can make good use of if they put him against the right kinds of opponents. If he continues to fight like he did against Cormier, Cole should be a worthy challenge for any and all emerging Strikeforce Heavyweights.

Next for Daniel Cormier: Sometimes even a win can end a hotstreak, and although he beat Devin Cole, Cole’s ability to take Cormier to the judges did put a damper on Cormier’s aura of unstoppability. I wouldn’t be surprised if this win put Cormier on the opening fight of a major Strikeforce card, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if Cormier’s next fight sees him back on a “Challengers” event. I think Cormier is still destined for greatness, but I do think that this fight exposed some potential weaknesses even though Cormier’s undefeated streak remains intact.

Next for Tarec Saffiedine: Saffiedine may have to get comfortable, because the odds seem to point towards Tarec remaining on the “Challengers” series for the foreseeable future. Although he started out his career as a submission specialist, Saffiedine has slowly morphed into a three-round war-of-attrition brawler that has gone to a decision (whether win or lose) five times in his six most recent fights. As I’ve said in the past, there’s nothing wrong with going to a decision, but finishing your opponent and finishing them dramatically is the surest way to guarantee you a slot on a main show. So, as I said… Tarec should get comfortable.

Next for Tyron Woodley: I think Woodley will see the televised portion of a main Strikeforce card in his next fight. Woodley is on a good win-streak and has shown some real talent in the cage, even though his bout with Saffiedine wasn’t the most entertaining thing ever witnessed. I wouldn’t be surprised if Woodley was thrown right into the mix and given a top 170-pounder, just to see once and for all if he’s a legitimate threat or belongs on “Challengers” for the foreseeable future.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. What about you? What do you think the future holds for the big winners and losers at Strikeforce “Challengers 13”?

Tyron Woodley defeats Tarec Saffiedine via Unanimous Decision. Daniel Cormier defeats Devin Cole via Unanimous Decision. Ovince St. Preux defeats Ray Humphrey via Unanimous Decision. Amanda Nunes defeats Julia Budd via technical knockout (strikes) at 0:14 of Round 1. Rhadi Ferguson defeats John Richard via submission (heel hook) at 2:00 of Round 2. Thomas Campbell defeats Jeremy Wallace via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:26 of Round 1. John Salter defeats Casey Huffman via technical knockout (strikes) at 2:59 of Round 1. Dustin Ortiz defeats Matt Horning via technical knockout (strikes) at 2:10 of Round 3. Dustin West defeats Daniel Schmitt via knockout (strikes) at 0:09 of Round 1. Charles McTorry defeats Krishaun Gilmore via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:46 of Round 2. Chris Barnhize defeats Karl Willis via submission (armbar) at 2:35 of Round 1. Jason Blackford defeats Jeremy Boczulak via submission (heel hook) at 1:54 of Round 2. Luke Sanders defeats Josh Jarvis via technical knockout (strikes) at 3:15 of Round 1. Stoney Hale defeats Gerric Hayes via Split Decision.

Before I say my piece, I’d just like to say that I don’t plan to quit watching “Challengers” anytime soon. I think it’s important to watch these kinds of shows, I think it’s interesting to see potential stars in the making, and I think it’s the right thing to do in order to give more fighters more exposure. Even though “Challengers” hasn’t yet become the underground series that I can really get behind in the same way I really got behind the WEC, it’s still a great concept and one that most likely deserves a lot more attention than it usually gets.

Now, with that out of the way, I’m going to be completely honest and admit that all three fights that I was looking forward to ended up falling below my expectations. Both Ovince St. Preux and Tyron Woodley grinded their way to convincing, albeit bordering-on-boring Unanimous Decision victories. Instead of Daniel Cormier extending his incredible hotstreak, he arguably hit a bump in the road and we got the first glimpse of some potential problems in his fight with the super-tough Devin Cole, this despite the fact that Cormier went on to win his fight.

The night most assuredly belonged to Amanda Nunes, however, and time and time again I can’t help but get behind women’s MMA. Nunes’ brilliant fourteen-second KO easily stole the show and, at least in my opinion, set Nunes up as an immediate championship contender. The Strikeforce Women’s 145-pound division simply isn’t big enough to compensate for the reign of destruction Cristiane Santos has been on since becoming its first champion. If even a halfway-legitimate threat emerges, that threat should face Santos as quickly as possible. And brutalizing your opponent into a quivering mess is far, far more than halfway-legitimate.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed but ultimately not angry at “Challengers 13”. Sometimes hype gets the better of us all, sometimes fighters grind their way to decisions in order to make sure they come out with wins. I’ll take some decent fights and a fantastic KO over nothing any day of the week, so when it comes right down to it, I’m glad I watched this show.

And what about you, fans and friends? What are your feelings on “Challengers 13”?

So, there are wrestling credentials and then there is Daniel Cormier’s wrestling credentials.  He will bring all that history with him tonight as he faces Cole, another strong wrestler.

“I know that he’s a wrestler and a strong guy with a lot of experience.  It’s going to be my toughest fight to date, for sure.  I think I’ve prepared well and trained hard so I feel confident.”

Cormier may be the template for future Olympic veterans and Olympic hopefuls alike, looking to leverage their skills to pay the bills.

“For younger athletes, I think the lure of MMA is going to take them away before they get to the Olympics.  Guys that want to chase the money or NCAA champions — guys who had the potential to be in the Olympics.  A few of them will cut their careers short in order to pursue a career where they can make money.”

Cormier, who has been seen in the corner of most of his UFC teammates from the AKA gym, like Cain Velasquez and Josh Koscheck, will now take center stage with his undefeated record on the line.  Will Cormier solely use his wrestling?  How far has his tool kit evolved?

“I don’t feel pressure to stay undefeated.  I’ve handled pressure at the highest level in wrestling.  I accept the responsibility that comes with all the wins.  Expectation is part of it so you deal with it.”

—

What up Strikeforce fans?  Can Cormier keep the train rolling tonight.  Are you watching Strikeforce tonight?  Why?

@john_moody

Tyron Woodley vs. Tarec Saffiedine: This is a very interesting clash between two good Strikeforce talents, so I’m glad to see that it’s headlining the show. I think Woodley is going to be a major force sooner rather than later, he’s on a seven-fight undefeated streak with six finishes. Tarec is going to make him work for every inch, though. But in the end, I think Woodley will win it by submission late in the second round.

Daniel Cormier vs. Devin Cole: It’s a tried-and-true “veteran vs. rookie” dynamic, and unfortunately for Devin Cole, it’s not going to be his night. All signs point to Cormier taking 2011 by storm and evolving into a major-level star by the time the new year is through. I’ve got a lot of faith in the former Olympian, mostly because he’s never given me the slightest reason to doubt him. I hate to cast off Cole like this, but I’m almost certain that Daniel Cormier will win by TKO in Round 1.

Ovince St. Preux vs. Ron Humphrey: When it was his time to shine on the televised portion of a main Strikeforce card, OSP dominated Benji Radach for three straight rounds… even though he was gassed pretty bad after the first round. My reaction to that is… it happens. The pressure was on OSP, and while he did show some flaws, he still put on a clinic. I think we’re going to see a repeat of that performance, with diminished or even non-existent cardio problems. I’ve got some high hopes for OSP, so I think he’ll take this fight with a commanding Unanimous Decision victory.

Amanda Nunes vs. Julia Budd: I enjoy women’s MMA, period, so I’m looking forward to this fight even though I have absolutely no clue who either of these two females are. Going off of their official records, it appears as if Nunes has the advantage, since she has more experience and is on a very impressive five-fight win-streak with five straight TKO victories. Julia Budd’s lone MMA victory (she’s a 1-0 undefeated newcomer) is also by way of TKO, so this should be an entertaining brawl. Don’t hold me to it since I’m not that familiar with either one, but my gut tells me that Nunes takes it by TKO in Round 2.

Rhadi Ferguson vs. Ion Cherdivara: For the most part, this bout is a toss-up featuring two very-new newcomers to MMA. However, I’ve just got to favor the former Olympian in this bout. Rhadi Ferguson has competed at the highest stage possible in judo, and he’s off to a great start: he’s 2-0 with two TKO’s and a combined total in-ring time of under 1:30. It’s going to end violently, and it’s going to end with Rhadi Ferguson TKO’ing Ion Cherdivara in the first round.

And that’s what I see when I take out the crystal ball and gaze intently into it, fans and friends. What about you? Any predictions for Strikeforce “Challengers 13”?

The Event: Strikeforce “Challengers 13”, scheduled for January 7, 2011 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The main card will be broadcast live on Showtime starting at 10 PM ET.

Why You Should Care: It’s five free fights, and better yet, it’s five fights featuring some of Strikeforce’s most promising talent. There’s a reason these shows keep improving: the roster of can’t-miss Strikeforce prospects continues to grow, and these shows are where they shine brightest.

What to Look Forward to in the Main Event: Both Tyron Woodley and Tarec Saffiedine are well-rounded fighters that can make a fight entertaining no matter where it ends up. Woodley’s undefeated streak will be on the line, as he’s 7-0 and has yet to be beaten in his professional MMA career. Saffiedine is also on a win-streak, winning his last three bouts, so both men will approach this bout knowing that it’s going to be a very important stepping stone for their Strikeforce careers. And that’s going to guarantee some impressive fireworks.

What to Look Forward to in the Co-Main Event: For all intents and purposes, Daniel Cormier looks to be unstoppable. He’s an Olympic-level wrestler that trains at the American Kickboxing Academy, the home of some of the UFC’s best wrestling-based fighters. And yet five out of his six victories have been due to strikes. Devin Cole is a wily veteran, so while it’s unlikely that he’ll stop Cormier’s incredible hotstreak, it’s very likely that he’d rather die trying than admit that he’s beat, and that’s going to give us a great bout.

Why You Should Watch This Card: There are several great reasons, but to summarize it all plainly and simply: if all the “Challengers 13” fights live up to their potential, we’ve got an early-year “sleeper hit” on our hands that should generate a lot of positive word-of-mouth coverage. You may not be all too familiar with who’s competing, but I doubt that you’re in for a boring night of fights. I very, very much doubt that.

Why You Shouldn’t Watch This Card: In a bit of a paradox, the best thing about the “Challengers” series is also one of the main reasons it continuously gets overlooked: it’s mostly a “B-show” designed to highlight new talent that fans are unfamiliar with. It’s very rare that a “Challengers” show features a big-name star, and this card isn’t the exception to the rule.

Closing Thoughts: I’m definitely a big advocate of this card, so I encourage any and all reading this to give “Challengers 13” a chance. The show has a pretty large amount of potential for a supposedly second-tier event, and the absence of big stars is counter-balanced by the promise of good fights by a cast of young, fresh talent. I’ll definitely be tuning in to watch “Challengers 13”, and I hope that the show lives up to its potential. If it does, I may just have found myself a new underdog to root for.

And what about you, fans and friends? What’s your opinion on Strikeforce “Challengers 13”?

5. Ovince St. Preux will try to prove once and for all that he belongs on the main stage. “OSP” is on a six-fight win-streak and most recently convincingly defeated Benjii Radach during the first televised encounter of Strikeforce’s “Henderson vs. Babalu 2” event. While certainly not a bad performance, St. Preux did underwhelm a bit, gassing himself out in Round 1 and then coasting towards a rather mundane Unanimous Decision win. Now that he’s back on a “Challengers” show, OSP should come out fiery and look to finish in order to once again prove that he belongs in big events against world-ready competition.

4. Tyrone Woodley vs. Tarec Saffiedine should be a great fight. This should be a memorable encounter for several reasons. While both men are relative newcomers to MMA, they’ve also shown a penchant for putting on very entertaining performances. Tyrone Woodley remains unbeaten, while Tarec Saffiedine is on a three-fight win-streak. Both men have a majority of their wins by submission, so we should be in for a fantastic ground war.

3. Former Olympian Rhadi Ferguson will make his Strikeforce debut. Whenever a high-level combat athlete transitions to MMA, it always gets people talking. There’s a good reason for that: not only is it incredibly nostalgic and fills our heads with memories of the first UFC tournaments and the glory days of PRIDE, it’s also very interesting to see how the fighters handle the transition. And Rhadi Ferguson is an Olympic-level judoka.

2. “Challengers 13” should see the continued ascension of Daniel Cormier. Daniel Cormier is an amazing athlete with near-unlimited potential. He’s a former Olympian, he trains at the American Kickboxing Academy, and he’s 6-0 with all wins by stoppage and five wins by strikes. At “Challengers 13”, Cormier will face wily veteran Devin Cole, whose recent loss snapped a five-fight win-streak that included four (T)KO victories. This should be a very interesting match between the smart veteran with big punching power and the upcoming prospect that can seemingly do no wrong.

And of course, my #1 reason to watch this show just had to be…

1. The quality of “Strikeforce Challengers” events in general continues to climb. I know I’ve said this in the past, but it continues to be the biggest reason to tune in to a “Strikeforce Challengers” event. It’s true that these shows are designed first and foremost to give Strikeforce newcomers their first taste of television, but that doesn’t mean that the fight quality is lacking. In particular, the last few “Strikeforce Challengers” events have seen an increase in match quality and have made for some pretty entertaining shows. And with the way “Challengers 13” is shaping up, that looks to be exactly the case for this card.

So there you have it, fans and friends: this show is definitely worth checking out. And what about you? What do you think of Strikeforce’s “Challengers 13” event?

Five Ounces of Pain reports that Cormier has been scheduled to participate in the main event of the upcoming “Strikeforce Challengers 13” card, which is set to take place on January 7, 2011. Cormier last competed overseas, defending his XMMA Heavyweight Championship in Australia’s “Xtreme MMA” promotion. His last fight in Strikeforce saw him pound out Jason Riley at Strikeforce: “Houston”.  Cormier’s opponent will be 18-8 Devin Cole. Cole was on a five-fight win-streak before recently losing at September’s “Shark Fights 13” event. Cole should be Cormier’s toughest and most experienced test to date.

I honestly think that the sky is the limit for Daniel Cormier. The man is a ridiculously gifted athlete with a very high wrestling pedigree. It doesn’t get much higher than the Olympics, and Cormier was in fact named team captain for the 2008 Olympic wrestling team. Cormier was also featured in the most-recent season of “The Ultimate Fighter” as a wrestling coach, helping out his friend and one-time rival Josh Koscheck.

Cormier is carrying a perfect 6-0 record into this bout with Cole. All six victories have seen Cormier finish his opponent, with five out of those six victories coming by way of strikes, whether by TKO, KO, or even Submission. At one point in 2010, Cormier won the King of the Cage Heavyweight Championship and then fought eight days later. No matter who is placed in front of him, there seems to be absolutely no stopping Daniel Cormier.

Devin Cole may be Cormier’s toughest test to date, but I don’t think he’ll be the one to break this streak. Cole has been in there with some big names, but he’s always lost to them. Devin Cole has fought and lost to the likes of Ben Rothwell, Rafael Feijao, Jeff Monson, and Krzysztof Soszynski. He’s got an almost-equal amount of losses by (T)KO, submission, and decision. A majority of his wins have come by (T)KO, however. Cormier may not be in for the fight of his life, but Devin Cole does have enough skill to pose a somewhat-worthwhile threat.

But I just don’t see Cormier losing anytime soon, to be perfectly honest. He’s ridiculously talented and belongs to one of the best MMA camps on the face of the earth. If you’re a dominant wrestler, there just isn’t a better place for you to go other than AKA. Cormier has been a house of fire thanks to his pedigree and his time spent training with Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and all the other AKA standouts. 2011 should be an even bigger year for Daniel Cormier, and I can’t wait to see him evolve into the next big threat in Strikeforce’s increasingly-stacked Heavyweight division.

And what about you, fans and friends? What do you predict will happen to Daniel Cormier in both the near and not-so-near future?

The card features a light heavyweight title fight against newly crowned champion “King Mo” Lawal against top contender Rafael “Feijao”, out of Team Blackhouse, who trains alongside the likes of the Nogueria brothers, Anderson Silva, and Junior dos Santos.

The preliminary card, which can easily headline any challenger series with it’s depth, will go as such.

Strikeforce: Houston Preliminary Bouts:

Daniel Cormier vs Jason Riley
Andre Galvao vs Nate Moore
Vinicius Magalhaes vs Rocky Long
Adam Schindler vs Kier Gooch
Jose Santibanez vs Reynaldo Trujillo
Chad Robichaux vs Humberto Deleon
Chad Cook vs Arteneus Young

Some notables there include Daniel Cormier, who has been anything short of impressive since his inception into the sport. He’s recently picked up two new heavyweight titles in his last two outings outside of the promotion, with a TKO win over seas against Lucas Brown in Australia, and then last Saturday at King of the Cage against former heavyweight champion Tony Johnson. Both men were undefeated before they tangled with the former wrestling olympian and American Kickboxing Academy standout.

Cormier will be in action against Jason Riley, who some might remember was on the losing side of things against former UFC champion Tim Sylvia in September of last year. He has since split his last two contests, with a TKO win over Joel Wyatt, and a loss to Devin Cole in his most recent performance.

Vinicius Magalhaes, though, should not be confused with season 8 competitor of “The Ultimate Fighter”–not the same guy.

Andre Galvao, a DREAM veteran who submitted long time veteran John Alessio in his debut with the Japan-based promotion last year, will look for his second win under the Strikeforce banner. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion also trains with the aforementioned Blackhouse team.

The card is set for the Toyota Center, which at full capacity, can hold up to 19,000 at a time.