Strikeforce - Fedor v. Rogers

I watched the fight between Rogers and Fedor, and it was a good fight. But the one thing I noticed as the fighters were announced was the nervousness and agitation in the face of Brett Rogers that told me he was not likely to win. As Matt Hughes once said, "the fight game is 90% mental" and this is true. It looks like Rogers gave Fedor too much respect and did not treat him badly. He broke Fedor's nose with the first punch but when he felt the power of Fedor he started backing up and that was not a good tactic.

Rogers did so well on the ground and showed he deserved to be there, most people assuming Fedor was going to ground and submit Rogers. Rogers surprised him, that was plain.


Rogers knows he could have one, and did beat himself, and he knows it. He should have swarmed Fedor and wiped him out like Arlovski.

Rogers showed some mental weakness against a truly great opponent. He needs to work on concentration and strike and move to set up the knockout blow.

Rogers like so many before, had the chance to finish Fedor but it demonstrates what a unique MMA artist Fedor is.

Strikeforce - Fedor v. Rogers

There is a lot of circular smack talk on the internet about Fedor and Rogers - without a lot of thinking.
Here's reality:
Rogers beat Arlovski because Arlovski was not prepared for the straight attack. Arlovski was beating Fedor for the same reason - tactics. Anyone can take one on the chin for a matt nap. Like a Hail Mary pass can win, all things being equal fighters must come prepared for their opponent's strength and strategy. The fighter that comes in with an unpredicted surprise strategy has the advantage.

Fedor knows how Rogers will attack, and he knows where Rogers is weak.

Rogers knows Fedor's skills, and he knows where Fedor is weak.

All that nonsense about who beat who or who is better is just plain nonsense - it's empty.

Fedor is Fedor's biggest weakness, he thinks he can keep recovering from mistakes, and against a hard puncher that isn't good.

Rogers is confident, but that is his biggest weakness.

Both must expose the weakness and stick to their game plan. The one who sticks to the game plan - the right tactics - will defeat the other guy. I predicted a while back that Rogers will win because hype and previous history means nothing; he has longer arms, stronger, faster, and willing to take a shot to deliver the knockout shot, and is not afraid of the consequences.


As my old karate instructor said, "professionals are predictable, amateurs are dangerous!"

Strikeforce - Pezao v. Fabricio Werdum

This is an interesting heavyweight matchup, Werdum had the skills to compete at the top of UFC, but one knockout to Junior Dos Santos and he's looking for a new home. Pezao is an underrated fighter without a lot of exposure in North America, but he has enough Muay Thai and BJJ to fend off Werdum. Pezao would be a handful for Fedor, and he trains at American Top Team so he has the edge in training camp and tactics. Here is how I see this matchup unfold: Pezao will wait for his moment to swarm Fabricio, expecting some counter punching, and then take this to the ground for some Ground and Pound. My system predicts Pezao by a considerable margin.

Sad to see pezao walk away from a wobbly werdum in the 1st round. He had that fight.e

Dream 11 Sokoudjou v. Sapp

 Sokoudjou v. Sapp - Bob "The Beast" Sapp is an imposing person, and he can put people to sleep but in this matchup it is his lack of takedown defence that will leave him open.  Minowaman (Ikuhisa Minowa) exposed his takedown defence last time and submitted Sapp with an achilles lock.   My system indicates a moderate win for Sokoudjou if he can stay out of range and take Sapp to the mat.

Liddell .v Couture 2

I predicted Liddell to use his superior striking and improved takedown defense to defeat Couture (CORRECT PICK)