FIGHT! Picks: Strikeforce Miami

If you judged Strikeforce Miami by the odds you’d think it was a collection of squash matches. Some of these fights may turn into routs but that is a safe assumption to make about any MMA card – especially when we know so little about some of these fighters. Here are FIGHT!’s Picks for Saturday night’s fights with odds courtesy bodog.

Marius Zaromskis didn’t walk over chumps en route to his Dream Welterweight Grand Prix Championship, but it says something that the toughest guy he faced, Hayato Sakurai, boasts signature wins over a bunch of guys who are natural lightweights. While it can be argued that Diaz hasn’t faced a world-class fighter since Gomi in Feb. 2007, he has more experience and more wins over better competition throughout the course of his career. If there is a highlight reel finish it’s likely to come by way of Zaromskis’ foot but Diaz’s length and timing on his feet will likely prevent that. Diaz isn’t a heavy hitter but the accumulated damage he deals to his opponents will ensure that his nearly four-year unbeaten streak continues.
FIGHT! Pick: Diaz.

This line may have more to do with the dearth of information available on female fighters not named Gina. Coenen is no scrub but she’s also probably not the toughest possible opponent for Cyborg. She is, however, the best looking, and frankly, getting wrecked by Santos won’t hurt her stock much. MMA for women is still in its embryonic stages and Santos is several developmental stages beyond everyone else right now. Even if Coenen’s skill set keep her in the fight, Santos’ athleticism will win out.
FIGHT! Pick: Santos.

Lawler has a wrestling advantage here, not that that particular skill set is relevant to this match. No, Manhoef is visiting south Florida to participate in a K-1 match held under MMA rules. He and Lawler are going to stand and bang, and our money is on Manhoef standing longer and banging harder. The only guy Lawler has beaten in the FIGHT! Rankings top 25 is Scott Smith, and to be fair, Smith is one punch from being out of the top 25 himself. Look for Manhoef to scratch another line into his skin after this one.
FIGHT! Pick: Manhoef.

Sorry, Greg, you are an opponent. Walker may be 150 years old but he was a world-class athlete and his still in better shape than most young guys. If he learned anything at American Kickboxing Academy, he will take this fight.
FIGHT! Pick: Walker.

You know, we thought Riggs was getting dissed until bodog published this line. Obviously Dana White wasn’t the only person underwhlemed by Sims’ stint on The Ultimate Fighter. It speaks to the development of the sport when a 10-year veteran like Sims is brought in to get crushed by a prospect in his fifth pro fight. We already know Sims can’t compete athletically – what remains to be seen is if Lashley is developing a well-rounded skill set.
FIGHT! Pick: Lashley.

Hieron is the better fighter here but not so much better as to justify these odds. Safe money goes to “The Thoroughbred” but Riggs is a good value right now.
FIGHT! Pick: Hieron.