Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts Returns to the Scott Trade Center for Major Pay Per View Event

By Shannon Barie

Live on SHOWTIME this Saturday Strikeforce, a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company will return to the Scott Trade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

The main event on the stacked card is legendary martial artist Dan Henderson (25-8) versus the former Strikeforce lightweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (36-8). Henderson is fighting out of Temecula, CA and Sobral is from Brazil. This is sure to be an exciting match-up of two of the best 205lb fighters in the division.

Local favorite “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (17-6, 1 NC), of Granite City, IL will battle it out against 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (22-7) fighting out of Oregon City, Ore., in a battle of explosive middleweights (185 pounds).

Former world heavyweight champion Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (14-2), who fights out of Coconut Creek, Fla., by way of Brazil will face Mike “Mak” Kyle (18-7-1) of San Jose, CA. Also Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) fighting out of Nottingham, England will meet striker Scott “Hands of Steel’ Smith (17-7, 1 NC) fighting out of Elk Grove, CA. in a 170 pound scrap. Benji “Razor” Radach (19-5) fighting out of Castlerock, WA will face Ovince St. Pruex (8-4) fighting from Knoxville, TN at 205lbs also on the main card.

In the past I’ve had some luck picking the winning fighters of MMA and Boxing matches, so I thought I would give the Strikeforce main card a try.

Since Henderson had an upsetting loss in his last fight against Jake Shields, I predict he’ll come out swinging and take Sobral by TKO in the second round. Like Henderson, I predict Lawler will quickly finish his opponent in the second round; however I foresee a knockout from Lawler. They don’t call him “Ruthless” for nothing, and in front of his local fans he’s sure to bring the heat. Lawler has been training at UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes new gym- The Hit Squad as well; so you can expect a great performance from him.

Due to the 40lbs weight difference, I think Silva will defeat Kyle; who might have more fights than Silva, but I doubt will manage favorably against the sheer size and force Silva will bring to the fight. Also I predict Radrach will defeat the less experienced, St. Pruex by unanimous decision.

Also, the last time I watched Paul Daley fight it was against Josh Koscheck, and anyone who follows the UFC will agree in saying Paul Daley is a “sore loser.” After his defeat to Koscheck, Daley sucker-punched Koscheck after the fight was over. Let’s hope Scott Smith is up to the challenge of giving the more experienced fighter another chance to lose- but with some dignity this time.

The doors at the Scott Trade Center will open for the event at 6 p.m. central time. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the first SHOWTIME televised main card fight will begin at 10p.m. eastern time. More information about Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Sobral 2, ticket information and a listing of the undercard check out www.strikeforce.com.

Good Luck to all the fighters, and make sure to tune in and see if my predictions were right!