Hello again fans and friends, it’s now time for the second part of my planned six-part series “A Closer Look At strikeforce: ‘Fedor vs. Henderson’”. The first part of the series featured a quick rundown of all the preliminary fights scheduled for this event. Now it’s time to focus on the meat of this event: the five-fight main card that will be televised live on Showtime. First up, we’ve got a battle of fierce Welterweights as Scott Smith takes on Tarec Saffiedine. This is “A Closer Look At Fedor vs. Henderson” Part 2. ...

By John Moody We all know how fun it can be to watch Anderson Silva dump an upkick to the grill of Vitor Belfort or Jon Jones drop sledgehammer elbows to Brandon Vera's skull.  But hey, we kind of expect this, these are some of the best pound for pound fighters walking the planet.  So what about the fighters not always front and center of every MMA chit chat.  Well here are some guys, that rarely, if ever, fail to excite and entertain in the cage. ...

By John Moody Pete Sell is known for delivering and taking big blows.  His knockout of Phil Baroni and war with Scott Smith are UFC classics. After going 1-4 in his last five UFC fights and being released in the spring of 2009, the man called “Drago” is plotting his return.  His go-for-broke style was fan pleasing yet not the best strategy for his long term career.  After his loss to Matt Brown at UFC 96, Sell took a much needed breather and a very hard look at his career. ...

Strikeforce: “Henderson vs. Babalu” was a Christmas treat come early. Fans were treated to not one, not two, not even three, but four straight (T)KO victories, at least two of which will probably stay on their respective fighter’s highlight reels for the rest of their career. I was proud to be a Strikeforce fan on December 4, and I absolutely can’t wait to see what’s next for the promotion. In that vein, here’s the latest “What’s Next” featuring Strikeforce: “Henderson vs. Babalu 2”. ...

What a way to end the year! Strikeforce “Henderson vs. Babalu” is now a thing of the past, and trust me fans and friends, this is the event that everyone should have seen. Does it get much better than four straight, dramatic finishes featuring some of the best talent Strikeforce has to offer? In the main event, Dan Henderson firmly set himself up for a big comeback by KO’ing former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato Sobral. Without a doubt, Strikeforce ended 2010 with a roar and not a whimper. Here are the full results to Strikeforce: “Henderson vs. Babalu”. ...

Today, all but one of the competitors competing under the Strikeforce banner for tomorrow's event, made the required weight limit for their respective bouts. Headliner's Dan Henderson and Renato Sobral were green lighted for the event when the two light heavyweights came in under the required 205-pound limit. Strikeforce debutant Paul Daley successfully made the 170-pound limit, which in the past he has notoriously struggled with weighty issues however came in at 169 pounds for the welterweight contest. And Scott Smith, who spent nearly his entire career as a middleweight, easily made the transition to the welterweight class when he came in at 170-pounds on the nose. ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to another edition of “Crash Course”. For those unaware, “Crash Course” is an ongoing series where I take an upcoming MMA event and give a quick rundown on why you should care about it. The goal of “Crash Course” is pretty simple: by the time you’re done reading you should know everything you need to know in order to fully enjoy some good, upcoming MMA action. So let’s get right to it with today’s edition, which focuses on the upcoming Strikeforce: “Henderson vs. Babalu 2” event. ...

It is still one of the great moments in UFC history, at the Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale in 2006, as Pete Sell had Scott Smith stumbling and ready to fall due to a crippling body shot.  Rising from a bent cowering position, Smith recovered just enough to surprise Sell with a massive right hand as Sell was rushing in to finish a badly hurt Smith.  Sell was suddenly out cold on the mat and Smith was awarded the victory while still in agony from Sell’s original body blow. This moment may have started the “legend” of Scott Simth, but as fans have learned, it was just the beginning.  He has taken the Mohammed Ali “rope a dope” style to new levels, and was nearly finished against Benji Radach and Cung Le only to rise from near cage death to land devastating blows and pull victory from the edge of defeat, leaving fans with jaws dropped in stunned awe. ...

Strikeforce will look to end its remarkable 2010 run with the upcoming December 4 “Henderson vs. Babalu” event. Featuring the return of multi-promotion star and veteran Dan Henderson, as well as the return of former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato Sobral, the event will compete head-to-head with the UFC’s outing on December 4, their “Ultimate Finale” event for the twelfth season of “The Ultimate Fighter”. As is customary for a big card, here are my official picks and predictions for Strikeforce: “Henderson vs. Babalu”. ...

It will always be hard to precisely measure the two largest MMA organizations when comparing a Strikeforce event on pay cable vs. a UFC event on free TV the same night.  However, Dec. 4^th will provide another opportunity to see if Strikeforce can stand up to the monster on the block in the UFC. The major question I have is … how many of the newbie UFC fans have become true followers of MMA at large and now seek out great fights to watch beyond the UFC brand?  To date, it has really been the UFC lapping the next closest competitor in Strikeforce.  Yet, if  “A rising tide lifts all boats,”  has the power of the UFC really spilled over and helped Strikforce or is the UFC such a unique brand that the new fans only connect to the names and faces that Dana White and the Ferttita brothers have built and marketed so well? ...

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. ...

Dec. 4 in St. Louis will hold a lot of implications for four men. The main event of the evening on said card will feature a special attraction pitting legends and former champions Dan Henderson and Renato "Babalu" Sobral against one another. While this bout has already been promised an immediate title shot against current light heavyweight kingpin Rafael Cavalcante (who defeated Muhammed Lawal last August for the promotion's title), two more title shots may be waiting on the wings for two men. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently revealed that the winners of Robbie Lawler/Matt Lindland and Paul Daley/Scott Smith could be in line for a title shot in their respective weight classes. ...

Former UFC star Paul Daley has led an interesting life as a Mixed Martial Artist, to say the very least. He’s competed in several major-name promotions in several high-priority bouts. He’s won fans over with his brawling style and his massive KO power, he’s also earned their ire for his brash personality and confident British swagger. He also earned quite a lot of infamy when he attacked Josh Koscheck post-fight and earned himself a permanent exile from the UFC. Now “Semtex” is poised to fight again in strikeforce, for the first time in over three years. CEO Scott Coker recently commented on why Daley finds himself competing in a high-profile promotion once again despite his hit-or-miss record and reckless attitude. ...

After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the verdict is finally in: there will be no strikeforce Middleweight Tournament. Plans were put together for a one-night tournament to crown either a new challenger or the outright champion ever since Jake Shields left Strikeforce for the UFC, leaving the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship vacant. Ronaldo Souza defeated Tim Kennedy for the title back in August, but rumors still persisted that the one-night tournament would return. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker finally laid any and all rumors to rest recently. Here are all the details. ...

While it’s flown under most people’s radars, the UFC and Strikeforce will once again be going head-to-head in the war for the MMA viewing audience. On December 4, Strikeforce will hold its “Henderson vs. Babalu” event the same day that the UFC will hold its “The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale” show. There’s going to be a lot of good MMA happening on December 4, and rather than forcing fans to pick one show or the other, here’s my list of the top 5 fights from both shows, the ones you should watch no matter what organization you swear allegiance to. ...

While Paul Daley's position with Strikeforce has been up in the air for the most part, some citing the British welterweight was signed to a 6-fight deal, others saying he has yet to sign--it look's like the cat is out of the bag now. Not only is Daley officially signed with the organization, but he is set to make his promotional debut in a fight that has fireworks and knockout written all over it. ...

Perennial middleweight contender Scott Smith is looking to get back into the win column. After a notable win over former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le came after the result of a late-rally third round knockout in December of last year in San Jose, California, Smith would not fair so well in the rematch. After taking much time off from the fight game (a 21-month absence to be exact) to focus on a budding movie career, Le, a former San Shou world champion, came back reinvigorated in his rematch with Smith which took place last June, and after hurting his opponent several times with body kicks, would eventually earn the TKO victory in the second round, leaving Scott Smith with the biggest win of his career taken away just as fast in defeat. ...

For someone who once approached the upcoming video game “EA Sports MMA” with an incredible amount of hesitation, now more and more I’m thinking that October 19 can’t get here soon enough. In order to generate interest and encourage fans to open their wallets and put down a pre-order, EA Sports is revealing the entire roster of the game on a week-by-week, division-by-division basis. The Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight roster has already been revealed, and recently the Middleweights took center stage. EA Sports also recently revealed a teaser image of a famous venue that has yet to see a Mixed Martial Arts event. ...

In some fights, with some fighters, there is a moment, a turning point, which fans love, Dana White loves, but coaches and trainers hate.  It is a point, where the game plan goes bye-bye.  The best laid ideas to use foot movement and the jab, to methodically work for take downs, to breakdown an opponent with leg kicks all goes out the window.  It is at this moment that some fighters revert to their primal instinct to let it all hang out, enter the pocket, swing away, and let the outcome hang on the power of their fists. Did plan A fail?  Has punishment and fatique stripped the fighter of three months of planning in the gym? Whatever the reason, it is in these moments that some of the most exciting fights take place.  For some fighters, this is when their most memorable work takes place.  The fight has become a messy brawl with blood flowing, fans screaming, and the decision in the balance. ...

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le (6-1) has publicly called for an immediate rematch versus “Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (16-6) in a video released Monday by Strikeforce. ...

Strikeforce is doing all it can do in order to push their promotion and as they prepare for the second event on network television they have some fighters looking to make a splash on MTV. ...

As I sat and watched Strikeforce: Evolution this morning (I DVRed the event to watch WEC live) thoughts of Cung Le (6-1) as an elite mixed martial artist crept into my head. The MMA world was ablaze with discussions on how Cung Le was on the same level as Fighters.com and UFC middleweight champion "Spider" Anderson Silva (21-4) in the striking department. I have never been one to view Cung as an elite MMA fighter and after last night the world could see why he is no where near the level of Silva or Fighters.com top-ranked "Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko (30-1). ...

Former Strikeforce middleweight champ Cung Le (6-0) and former EliteXC title challenger “Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (15-7) will headline a Showtime-broadcast Strikeforce event at HP Pavilion in San Jose December 19, Strikeforce has announced. ...

"Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (14-6) spoke to media after knocking out Terry Martin (18-6) in the first round at Strikeforce Destruction Friday night in San Jose.   ...

“Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (14-6) defeated Terry Martin (18-6) with a stunning first-round KO at Strikeforce: Destruction Friday night in San Jose. The end came 24 seconds into the fight, courtesy of Smith’s straight right to Martin’s temple. ...

Fighters.com was live at the Strikeforce: Destruction weigh-ins Thursday night at the Hotel DeAnza in San Jose. All fighters made weigh and, despite a delayed start and “Diesel” Joe Riggs’s (28-11) displeasure at having to strip, everything went smoothly. Riggs was not the only one who had to strip further than his ginch; the California State Athletic Commission requested that each fighter have only one crack at the scale, resulting in several weigh-ins behind towels. Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Bobby Southworth (9-4) looked cut.  He told Fighters.com Thursday afternoon that he had hired a new strength and conditioning coach. “Everybody’s been commenting on how my physique looks and how I’ve been performing.  So we’ll see how I perform tomorrow night,” Southworth said. Join Fighters.com Friday night for the live results. ...

A middleweight bout between UFC veterans “Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (13-6) and Terry Martin (17-5) has been added to the televised main card of Strikeforce: Destruction 21 November in San Jose.  It airs on HDNet. Smith, who was scheduled to fight "Shango" Hector Lombard (16-2-1) at EliteXC’s 8 November event before it was cancelled, is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Fighters.com’s fourth-ranked middleweight “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (16-4) in July. Martin knocked out Cory Devela (8-2) in round three at Strikeforce at the Mansion II in September. ...

“Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (13-5; 1NC) versus “Shango” Hector Lombard (17-2-1; 1NC) has been officially added to the EliteXC: A Night of Champions card 8 November in Reno. Smith last fought in July and was TKO’d in the second round by Fighters.com’s fourth-ranked middleweight and EliteXC champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (16-4; 1NC). It was their rematch after an eye poke resulted in a No Contest in May. Lombard, the Cage Fighting Championship title-holder and Olympic judoka, last fought in September when he forced Brian Ebersole (36-15; 1 NC) to verbally submit in round four. Lombard’s most recent loss was to DREAM Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi (24-2-1) November 2006. ...

EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw has confirmed that the organization’s 8 November event will take place in Reno, reported MMA Junkie Friday. Shaw said, "We're going to have a huge card in November.  We're going to be in Reno, Nevada.  It's going to be fantastic." Shaw also confirmed that “Feijao” Rafael Cavalcante (7-1) will be on the card and may face “Snake” Cyrille Diabate (12-6-1), although whether it will be a title fight is yet to be determined. “[We've] spoken about Cyrille Diabate, but it's not definitive that that's going to be his opponent,” Shaw said. "Until we have a definitive opponent, we do not know if we will introduce the light-heavyweight title.  When we are ready to introduce the light heavyweight title, there is no doubt that 'Feijao' will be in a fight for that title.  He's without a doubt the No. 1 fighter that we have in the light heavyweight division." Cavalcante last fought in July, TKO'ing "Gladiator" Travis Galbraith (15-6) in round one. Diabate won a unanimous decision over Jaime Fletcher (6-4) in August. Another bout under consideration is "Hands of Steel" Scott Smith (13-5) versus “Shango” Hector Lombard (17-2-1). Shaw said, “We have a tentative agreement for Scott Smith to take on Hector Lombard.  I think that would be a fantastic fight.” Smith is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Fighters.com's fourth-ranked middleweight and EliteXC champ “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (16-4) in July. Lombard last fought in September versus Brian Ebersole (36-15), who verbally tapped in the fourth round. One fighter who may not make it onto the card is “Grim” Brett Rogers (8-0). "Brett Rogers hasn't been decided yet," Shaw said.  "We're still talking with his camp.  He had a couple of personal issues, and we're just making sure that he has enough time to be prepared.  We spoke, and it's nothing else.  It's not contracts, it's just a couple personal issues. "We want to make sure we get the best possible Brett Rogers at all times.  If we're able to go with him, then he'll be there." Rogers TKO'd Jon Murphy (4-3) in 1:01 in May. The event will be headlined by Lawler in a title fight with Joey Villasenor (26-6) and also features a 160-pound title bout between Fighters.com’s third-ranked lightweight Eddie Alvarez (15-1) and Nick Diaz (18-7).  It airs on Showtime. ...

The middleweight top ten whirls like a dervish across the UFC, WEC, EliteXC, DREAM, Sengoku, and Strikeforce, leaving Fighters.com's Middleweight Champion "Spider" Anderson Silva (22-4) to defend versus "Predator" Patrick Cote (13-4) in Chicago 25 October. The UFC seemed intent that sixth-ranked "Thunder" Yushin Okami (21-4-1) miss his de facto UFC top contender challenge of Silva, marketing Cote versus "Cachorrao" Ricardo Almeida (9-3) in Las Vegas 5 July as an eliminator fight even before Okami pulled up lame with a broken hand. Cote won by split decision. ...