FIGHT! Facts, Picks, and Pics: Strikeforce Miami

(Diaz trades with Zaromskis. Check out the full gallery here.)

Jan. 30 was a big night for Strikeforce – Scott Coker & Co. drew a strong crowd in a new market, awarded a new belt in the welterweight division, and watched both its celebrity signees walk out of the cage with decisive wins. FIGHT! was there and below you’ll find quick results from each bout, a recap of how our FIGHT! Picks fared, and some random bits.

Nick Diaz def. Marius Zaromskis by TKO (strikes) at 4:38 of Round 1 to win the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Championship/
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos def. Marloes Coenen by TKO (strikes) at 3:40 of Round 3 to retain the Strikeforce Women’s Lightweight Championship.
Herschel Walker def. Greg Nagy by TKO (strikes) at 2:17 of Round 3.
Robbie Lawler def. Melvin Manhoef by KO (punch) at 3:33 of Round 1.
Bobby Lashley def. Wes Sims by TKO (strikes) at 2:06 of Round 1.
Jay Hieron def. Joe Riggs via unanimous decision.
Michael Byrnes vs. David Zitnik was cancelled due to time constraints.
Joe Ray def. John Clarke by TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:14.
David Gomez def. Craig Oxley by unanimous decision.
Pablo Alfonso def. Marcos DaMatta by submission (armbar) at 1:47 of Round 1.
Hayder Hassan def. Ryan Keenan by TKO (strikes) at 2:42 of Round 2.
John Kelly def. Sabah Homasi by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:48 of Round 1.

No attendance figures were immediately available but the BankAtlantic Center appeared to be at or near capacity.

Notable fighters in attendance included Georges St-Pierre, Nate Diaz, Jason Miller, and Dan Henderson.

Wes Sims tried to pick a fight with Lashley at the press conference but cooler heads prevailed.

Diaz became the third member of the Cesar Gracie fight team to currently hold a Strikeforce title along with Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez.

The FIGHT! Staff went 5-1 with its picks last night, marred only by Robbie Lawler’s last minute Scott Smith impression.