The Potato Index: Strikeforce – Miami Aftermath
(Marius Zaromskis had no idea getting kicked in the face was so unpleasant. If you'll excuse him, he has some apologies he needs to get to. Photo courtesy of Fight Magazine.)
Who’s up and who’s down after a weekend of fistic goodness on Showtime? The Potato Index’s arbitrary numerical rankings system is here to tell us, so everyone gather ‘round and pay attention. We are in no mood to repeat ourselves.
Nick Diaz +137
Stockton’s finest does it again, deflecting “The Whitemare’s” assault and putting him away with relative ease. Flushing the THC out of his system must have been harder than the actual fight, and way less fun. Strikeforce says “Mach” Sakurai is likely next for Diaz, despite his two-fight losing streak and general recent decline. Guess a fight with Jay Hieron would just make too much sense.
Marius Zaromskis -73
You can’t fault the guy for a lack of aggression. His early blitz almost panned out, but Diaz’s height and reach advantage helped him stay out of range and wear Zaromskis down. We’d still like to see more of him in Strikeforce, though. Any guy who brings the fight like Zaromskis will always have a place in MMA.
“Cyborg” Santos +88
We saw a more cautious and patient Santos than we’re accustomed to, but she still dominated Coenen without much trouble. Erin Toughill seems like a suitable next challenger, but we don’t see anyone knocking “Cyborg” off any time soon.
Marloes Coenen -54
As expected, Santos’s strength and superior striking was too much for her to handle. When someone can walk right through your best punch that easily, it’s always going to be a tough night. Give her credit for hanging in there as long as she did. It takes a lot of heart to withstand a mauling like that and still complain about an early stoppage.
Robbie Lawler +61
As much as he’d like to paint it as a strategy that panned out perfectly, Lawler was in big trouble before one big right hand found its mark. A win’s a win, and he proved once again that his power makes him a constant threat, but as he limped out of the cage even Lawler must have realized how close he came to going home a loser.
Melvin Manhoef -70
Truly, this is a fighter with the virtues of his faults. The same reckless aggression that makes him so terrifying also makes him vulnerable to counters. Being so predictable and one-dimensional doesn’t help either. At least it’s never a boring night when Melvin’s on the card. Might as well give him another banger and see if he can remember to keep his hands up this time.
Bobby Lashley +41
You’ll have to forgive us for not being terribly impressed with a victory over one of MMA’s tallest competitors. That’s the trouble with being a 15-1 favorite, even if you run through the guy it doesn’t prove very much. By all means, put him in against Brett Rogers next and let’s find out what he’s made of.
Wes Sims -40
We know, Lashley cheated, the ref screwed you, and nobody in MMA has the balls to engage you in a pro wrestling-style test of strength. What a shame. While a reality show about Wes Sims working at the Stud Ranch might be entertaining as hell, we’re in no hurry to watch him fight again.
Herschel Walker +32
Is it impressive to see a 47 year-old guy come into MMA and look like he actually knows what he’s doing? Sure. Are we going to get too excited about him after a TKO finish of a 1-1 fighter due to strikes to the armpit? No. Walker’s attempt at an MMA career may not be a gimmick, but it is a bit of a sideshow. There’s a reason that two guys with less than three pro fights between them don’t get on TV that often.
Greg Nagy -18
Come on, what did you expect? Considering that this guy was chosen primarily because he presented no significant challenge to Walker, he did okay. Something tells us that twenty years from now, Nagy’s children are going to be very tired of hearing the story of that time he fought an NFL player on national TV.
Jay Hieron +49
Even though he keeps winning, Hieron just can’t catch a break. The web stream that was supposed to make up for him getting pushed to the undercard didn’t quite pan out, and even a victory over a very tough Joe Riggs isn’t enough to earn him a title shot. If Strikeforce is interested in keeping him around, you sure wouldn’t know it by the way they’re treating him.
Joe Riggs -44
A decision loss to Hieron is nothing to be ashamed of, and we can’t help but appreciate Riggs’s penchant to tell it like it is. It’s times like these you wish the fight game was a little kinder to the guys who are long on heart and short on luck.
EA Sports MMA -73
Funny how quickly Showtime’s Twitter feed went from promoting their stream to disavowing any relationship with them whatsoever. Not a great start at building street cred with the hardcore MMA fans.
Strikeforce broadcast team -18
We’ve definitely seen and heard worse, but these guys really make Rogan and Goldberg seem like all-stars. Quadros looks like an actor in a cheap vampire movie, and Shamrock’s braces remind us why fourteen year-olds don’t get much on-camera work. Who ever thought that Ranallo would end up being the lone bright spot? Please, Strikeforce, bring Pat Miletich back.
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mustache ride Says:
Diaz worked a perfect gmeplan. I'm not sure wich leg Zaromskis kicks with (and I'm to lazy to look it up.), but I'm sure that two minute deadleg fest took away it's power. I would like to see him fight Heiron, no one else on SF roster is a real threat to the man. Or at least just let him beat up Joe Riggs so he can finally bring peace to that portion of his life.
64SQUARES Says:
second
meanfinger Says:
rex ryan +100 for not being a lil bitch.
p.s. lashley vs. rodgers= a real contest.
Old_Bald_and_Irish Says:
"Quadros looks like an actor in a cheap vampire movie"
....the long-lasting after effects of intervenous drug use will do that to you.
"Shamrock’s braces remind us why fourteen year-olds don’t get much on-camera work."
....Whoa! What about Cindy Brady? Come to think about it, Cindy Brady would have probably done a better job than Shammy.
"Who ever thought that Ranallo would end up being the lone bright spot?"
....DAMN! I was thinking THE SAME THING as I was watchin' the fight!
"Please, Strikeforce, bring Pat Miletich back."
....please Strikeforce, DON'T! Pat's a fine fellow, but I hate him behind the mic.
Forrest44 Says:
I'll be the first to admit that I underestimated Lawler....I predicted a while back that he stood no chance and would succumb to leg strikes from Manhoef...I was half right at least. Apparently Robbie studied lots of tape and knew Melvin would leave himself open when trying to finish off opponents 'cause that's exactly what happened; Robbie saw it and capitalized.
Good job Robbie and I hope you found a decent pair of crutches.
rpn452 Says:
I like the broadcast team, but Quadros is better heard than seen.
Yves Latrine Says:
Every time you say something nice about Mauro Renallo, a kitten masturbates.
ReX13 Says:
^^^ LULZ
El Guapo Says:
Not only would Don Zimmer have stopped Sims sooner, he also wouldn't have needed to bust the ol' thumb to the throat "technique"..
And he would've absolutely destroyed Nagy. No disrespect to Bobby or Herschel, but they better pray to the mma gods they don't get matched with Popeye next.
Wrye Bash Says:
That caption smells delicious. You guys.
ihateemo Says:
I just don't like the sound of Ranallo's voice and I get the feeling that Quadros just doesn't understand what the hell he's going on even though they both did commentary for Pride.
Sigh.
The card itself was mostly decent, but if Strikeforce expects me to subscribe to Showtime for their broadcast when a) they literally wake Wes Sims up under the underpass, shower him and bring him to the cage to flop around like a landlocked trout and b) they bring in a mean-mugging (albeit ripped) 47-year old to beat a guy who looks like he's doing a bad impression of Keith Jardine at a rave who will never, ever fight on TV again...well, it's just not worth it. Especially since Dexter is done for the season and Weeds sucks now. Those two fights makde them seem amateurish as hell.
I mean, really? Is this what MMA is about? Diaz, Cyborg and Lawler all did great but I get the feeling that Strikeforce's roster is paper thin to the point that they need these crappy fights to fill cards - and that if they don't pick up some more prospects soon then they'll head the way of EliteXC.
And get rid of that fucking ramp!
Organ Donor Says:
What's up with the skepticism about Lawler's game plan? Even the announcers noticed when he started wobbling his head and stumbling away in the second round. And while he was playing possum, he didn't seem to take much damage above the waist. It was a dangerous game plan, to be sure, but a slick one.
ihateemo Says:
Are you high? Lawler could barely walk after the fight was over! If Manhoef hadn't gotten overconfident and left his left hand below his freaking waist it would have been Lawler convulsing on the mat.
Maybe he was hoping the judges were the same ones who worked the Machida fight. Leg kicks don't count, homey!
Wrye Bash Says:
@ihateemo
EliteXC? Oh yeah, I think Kimo Leopoldo fought for those guys.
831 Son Says:
I agree that the commentators suck fat donkey dick. Shamrock is a fucking joke too I seriously cant stand that clown.
Strikeforce still fails.
KidDinomite Says:
Anyone else think KJ Noons should just fight Diaz for the belt next? He never actually lost the Elite XC belt and I think him and Diaz would make for a much better championship match than Sakurai plus all the heat between the two would create a better build up for Strikeforce. Oh and someone said Lashley vs. Rogers. I second that. Lashley needs a real test and Rogers needs a good win to get into contention again.
Oh yeah, Mauro Renallo is the best commentator, Quadros looks like he has liver failure, Shamrock needs to fight or hang it up and not give us his Keys to Victory, and yes, Pat Miletich or Mayhem needs to replace him.
D Piddy Says:
I liked how Shamrock was commentating during the Diaz fight and said "You know, Diaz's hits don't hurt, but they will rattle your brain!" And Ranallo said "If they don't hurt how do they rattle your brain?!" Shamrock was just like I DNO??!
Peetee Says:
Herschel Walker looked good... If it was UFC 7...
mma samurai Says:
Bring back the duo of Bas and Mauro for their commentators and that would improve their production value leaps and bounds. Those two worked very well together in Pride. Both know what they're talking about and are very insightful to the MMA game and I just wanna hear Bas call for liver shots again. Maybe we can even get the "El Guapo" song played too!
Diaz and Zaromskis put on a great fight. FOTN in my opinion. They were very competitive and it was a great back and fourth exchange early on. Diaz's reach is just too much and I'll give him props he put on a great striking show. He deserves his title. Poor Heiron though, way to screw him over AGAIN Strikeforce.
Lawlor definitely KOTN. That was crazy. I think Melvin saw little baby Jesus on that one. I thought he caught a case of death with that right hook. Too bad too cause he was putting on a great performance till he got over confident. Let Melvin and Scott Smith have a go. That should be a good fight.
Walker and Lashley both put on ok performances but it was to be expected. They were spoon fed their opponents. I have said before I'm on the fence about Lashley until he faces a quality opponent but I will say he did very well (minus the thumb in the throat fiasco). Stop feeding him fat, talentless nobodies or has beens and let us see him against a true competitor. Lashley vs Rogers or Lashley vs Arlovski. Hell even Lashley vs Barnett if he gets approved for a liscense and Strikeforce can sign him.
Someone please castrate Santos so she can finally legitimately say she is a woman. It's not fair she's fighting with a third leg. That's not fair she's the only woman in MMA who can pull off the rarely used peniplata.
Lastly lets be real, Quadros has never looked like he'd be gracing the cover of GQ any time soon. He's looked like a back up dancer for Michael Jackson in "Thriller" for as long as I've seen him commentate on fights. Someone destroy the voodoo doll or cut the puppet strings that's keeping him up and running already!
rlh61 Says:
Yeah, the Keys to Victory can go away. One was 'Double Leg Takedown' and another was 'Single Leg Takedown'. WTF?? Might as well say 'Don't Get Hit' or 'Knock Him Out'...those are Keys to Victory right there.
One thing I didn't mention earlier was the whole entrance bullshit. I know, some people on this board want the theatrics of a big entrance, but that's too WWE or too boxing for me. I was waiting for someone to go up in flames since the pyrotechnics were too close to the ramp...or runway...whatever the fuck that thing is. That type of stuff epitomizes what's wrong with boxing...all show, no go.
ghostboner Says:
@forrest44 - "Lawler saw it and capitlized" The only thing Lawler saw when he threw that punch was Manhoef's toes.
Hey CP, how about tracking Lawler down asap and doing a little Q&A. Was that really the game plan, to absorb punishment and play possum and hope for a sloppy hand drop? If so, who came up with it? And has the person who came up with it ever been kicked in the inner thigh by a world renowned kickboxer? Also, How is your leg Robbie? What do the x-rays show? What has the physical therapist told you to do for re-hab? Can we check out the leg? Can you walk? etc etc Ok Elias pack a suitcase and git er done.
ghostboner Says:
Also, I vote for Bas and mayhem as the new Duo with Josh Barnett doing the post fight interviews.
mjb581 Says:
Quadros looks like Stanley Ipkiss in The Mask
ghostboner Says:
peniplata ha ha ha! I have been spending most of my food budget on extenze for months just so I could be the first to pull off a peniplata, but it appears Santos beat me to it...
KimboSlice Says:
lol at the strikeforce tweet
NinJay Says:
@ghostboner
1. Damn you for making me type your stupid name.
2. Word.
No way in hell Lawlers game plan was to absorb that much punishment and the throw a blind hook for the KO. I wonder what was plan B. Fall down as if hurt and then catch Melvin with an up kick on his way down?? People will believe anything.
Also the Bas idea is great. I can't stand that broadcast team.
los_Hated Says:
@ Petee - Herschel Walker looked good... If it was the First Pride on VHS..
@mjb581- LMAO @ stanley IPcus
Who the Fuck thinks that Lawler got Lucky? This is the beauty of MMA.....No matter who is bleeding or hurting the most...if you get KO you get KO (not counting early stoppage). Whether or not it was the game plan... that was a hell of a KO...same with Scott Smith...Thats what separates the winners from the sleepers....If you loose focus then you can be sent to "la la Land"
Hey someone tell these dudes that these are comments and not fukin book pages....No one reads your 5 paragraph sections.
the glza Says:
manhoef was more at fault than lawler was brilliant, but the fight was great. that's the one everyone was counting on to be fireworks and it didn't disappoint.
rogers is still out of lashley's league, i think. lashley needs one more step before fighting someone of that caliber. i like whitehead, or silva... maybe werdum but each of those i feel will overwhelm him. strikeforce has a lot to think about here...
RPS13 Says:
quadros and el guapo is the best pair of mma announcers imo. god there are so many terrible ones out there though
HokeyPokeyLikeAoki Says:
I hope people don't overlook Manhoef now. Cuz if they do, they need a friend to hit them in the leg with a baseball bat a couple times and then try to spar a little.
Randy Pan Says:
So what hope does Strikeforce have to last as a promotion, really? They have a small pool of well-known fighters, Fedor + Henderson, and they put their cards on limited-cable television. They need more fighters to generate enough interest to get a reliable audience. But just like they did with Baroni, the UFC is likely to poach from Strikeforce's talent pool as it developes. I just don't see Strikeforce lasting long enough to gain steady-footing as an organization.
Enjoyable main card, even if two out of five fights were irrelevant, uncompetitive squash matches. Diaz has a lot of interesting match-ups in the UFC's welterweight division. Here's to hoping he jumps ship.
Robocop Didnt Tap Says:
I love Lawler's gameplan...let a K-1 striker beat the shit out of me and just before he knocks me out, him him with a combo.
For Zaromskis, try him out against Riggs or drop him to 155. It didn't look like Zaromskis cut any weight to fight Diaz.
Harry Sack Says:
the Wes Sims fight was an absolute outrage. Never in the history of a developed nation have I seen an MMA organization blatantly advocate the exhibition of violence against a pregnant man. I am shocked and traumatized.