411's Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine Report 1.07.12

Posted by Mark Radulich on 01.08.2012

Luke Rockhold defeated Keith Jardine via RD1 TKO to retain the Strikeforce Middleweight Title, King Mo defeated Lorenz Larkin via RD2 TKO and more! Check out 411’s complete Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine report for all the details!

Strikeforce: Rockhold vs Jardine
1.7.12
The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

411 is now closing in on 11,000 total Twitter followers & Facebook Friends! Be sure to ADD US ON FACEBOOK and FOLLOW US ON TWITTER if you haven't done so already!

Also, remember to catch the 411 Ground and Pound Radio show hosted by yours truly and joined by the panel of 411 writers.

Here's all the pertinent information:

Tonight's 411 Ground and Pound Radio link

Call-in number is: [phone]

If you want to e-mail the show click here and remember to put "Ground and Pound Radio Comment/Question" in the subject area.



MAIN CARD (Showtime 10:00 PM)
Champ Luke Rockhold (185lbs 8-1) vs. Keith Jardine (185lbs 16-10-2)
Adlan Amagov (186lbs 9-1-1) vs. Robbie Lawler (186lbs 18-8, 1NC)
Lorenz Larkin (206lbs 12-0) vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (205lbs 8-1)
Jordan Mein (169lbs 23-7) vs. Tyron Woodley (171lbs 9-0)
Tarec Saffiedine (170lbs 11-3) vs. Tyler Stinson (170lbs 21-7)


PRELIMINARY CARD (Showtime Extreme 8:00 PM)
Nah-Shon Burrell (171lbs 7-1) vs. James Terry (171lbs 11-3)
Trevor Smith (205lbs 9-1) vs. Gian Villante (206lbs 8-3)
Ricky Legere (171lbs 13-4) vs. Chris Spang (171lbs 4-0)
Alonzo Martinez (160.5lbs 35-15-1) vs. Estevan Payan (160lbs 11-3, 1NC) - 160-pound catchweight

---

We are live from The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada! Your announcers for tonight's card Mauro Ranallo, Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich. We go to the cage for our first fight of the prelims:

PRELIMINARY MATCHES ON SHOWTIME EXTRME:

Catchweight bou (160 lbs)t: Alonzo Martinez (160.5lbs 35-15-1) vs. Estevan Payan (160lbs 11-3, 1NC)

ROUND ONE Overhand right from Martinez. Payan returns with a combo. They are trading blows. Martinez tries a switch kick. Martinez ducks low and gets caught with an uppercut from Payan. Martinez shoots for a single but can't catch Payan. Payan is jabbing Martinez to death. Payan lands with a 3 punch combo that stumbles Martinez. Payan moves in for the kill. He pushes him against the fence and nails him with a knee. Payan is lighting Martinez up. Payan delivers a hard leg kick. Martinez punches to the body. Martinez attempts a double against the cage and gets smacked in the face. Payan lands more punches to the head to end the round.

SCORECARD: Payan 10-9

ROUND TWO Payan comes out swinging again. Martinez is getting lit up any time he comes in to strike. Payan lands a pair of hooks. Payan with a leg kick. Martinez fires back with a high leg kick. Payan tages Martinez and forces him to shoot to prevent being knocked out. Payan stuffs it and keeps this fight where he can win it. Martinez is getting beat up by Payan's striking game. Payan kicks to the body. They exchange in the center, tie up, go to the canvas and Payan jumps back to his feet. Martinez ducks into another uppercut. Payan smashes Martinez with a right hook. Payan hits him one more time to end the round.

SCORECARD: Payan 10-9

ROUND THREE Martinez comes forward with a series of kicks. Payan comes back with more of his superior boxing. Martinez flicks the jab. Payan hooks to the body and follows to the head. Payan smacks Martinez as he tries to mount an offense. Payan has slowed down but he's still having his way with Martinez. Payan content to jab his way to victory. Payan goes head-body and follows with another jab. Martinez goes for a hail mary shot and gets stuffed. That's all she wrote.

SCORECARD: Payan 10-9

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Estevan Payan by unanimous decision (30-27X3)

Welterweight bout: Ricky Legere (171lbs 13-4) vs. Chris Spang (171lbs 4-0)

ROUND ONE Spang is circling on the outside until Legere tackles him to the ground. Legere is in full guard. Spang is working from his back. Spang goes for an armbar but Legere defends. Spang tries to escape but Legere keeps up the pressure. Legere stands and tries to pass, Spang uses this opportunity to kick at Legere and get away. Legere passes and gets to side control. He tries to pass into mount but gets stuck in half guard. He's back in full guard. Legere pounds on Spang's body. Spang slides out and escapes. Legere eats a round kick. Legere clinches and pushes Spang against the cage. Legere changes levels, gets caught in a guillotine and nearly taps but Spang runs out of time.

SCORECARD: Legere 10-9

ROUND TWO After a few strikes, Spang goes for a flying knee that end with him being slammed on his back. We're right back to where we nearly left of in round 1. Legere is working hard to get out of guard and Spang is working hard to either escape or stifle Legere's offense. We are at an impasse so the ref stands them up. Spang misses with a spinning back fist and tries for a double leg. He presses him against the cage, picks him, walks him over and slams him down. The round ends with Legere in full guard.

SCORECARD: Legere 10-9

ROUND THREE Spang comes out ready to throw leather but Leger didn't come here to get knocked silly. Spang connects with an overhand right. Legere lands a right, eats one and takes Spang down. Here we go again. Spang punches from his back. Legere smashes Spang with an elbow and then the ref stands them up. Spang starts to loosen up, looking to end the fight but Legere ties him up and presses him against the fence. Spang is on his back again. Spang catches Legere with a minute to go and takes his back. He locks in rear-naked choke. Legere defends and saves himself. Spang is on his back, Legere gets mount and rides out the round.

SCORECARD: Legere 10-9

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Ricky Legere by unanimous decision (29-28X3)

Light Heavyweight bout: Trevor Smith (205lbs 9-1) vs. Gian Villante (206lbs 8-3)

ROUND ONE They clash in the center and Villante immediately takes him down. Smith gets away and they resume standing. Villante lands a kick, follows with a hook and drops Smith. Villante holds on to the leg and lays into Smith with hammerfists, ending the match. GO STRONG ISLAND!

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Gian Villante by TKO (strikes) at 1:05 of round 1.

Welterweight bout: Nah-Shon Burrell (171lbs 7-1) vs. James Terry (171lbs 11-3)

ROUND ONE Less than 20 seconds in and we already have our first nut shot of the night. Burrell waves it off and keeps fighting. They exchange a few more times before Terry shoots for the single. After a brief respite against the cage he drags him down. Terry has Burrell grasped around his legs, nullifying any attempts at escape or offense. Burrell slides free but Terry takes him down and gets full mount. Burrell gets free and stands up. Terry continues to ride Burrell and takes his back. Burrell stands up but Terry sticks to him like glue around the single leg. Burrell stands up and Terry leans on him until the horn sounds.

SCORECARD: Terry 10-9

ROUND TWO Terry slides in to strike and eats a combo. Burrell lights him up again. Terry plants a right, follows up with a takedown and finally ends with a slam. Terry takes Burrell's back again. Burrell stnds up and lands a knee. Terry scores with and uppercut and a straight right. Burrell tags Terry. Terry returns fire. Terry clinches and walks Burrell back against the fence. Terry misses with a right and then gets hit by one. Terry shoots again and gets the single leg. Terry pressures him against the fence to take the round.

SCORECARD: Terry 10-9

ROUND THREE Burrell goes on the attack. He is landing lefts and rights, seemingly at will. Terry clinches to save himself. Burrell gets free and tags him again. Terry is running away from Burrell. Terry tries a weak superman punch. Burrell is chasing and landing. Burrell goes for a flying knee. Burrell is giving Terry the business but Terry is staying alive by circling away from Burrell's power strikes. Terry content to play it safe, assuming he's already won the first two rounds. Burrell smashes Terry but misses with the follow up. Burrell continues to lay into Terry. Terry shoots forward and tries for one last takedown. Burrell defends and attempts a guillotine. Terry gets free as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Burrell 10-9

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – James Terry Nah-Shon Burrell by split decision (29-28X2 Burrell, 29-28 Terry)

And we begin 2012 with a ridiculous decision by the judges at the Hardrock Casino in Nevada. Oy vey, commence kvetching.

MAIN CARD MATCHES ON SHOWTIME:

Welterweight bout: Tarec Saffiedine (170lbs 11-3) vs. Tyler Stinson (170lbs 21-7)

ROUND ONE Stinson (with his fabulous hairdo) immediately lights up Saffiedine as he comes forward. Saffiedine circles on the outside. Stinson is the aggressor. Stinson jabs, keeping Saffiedine off balance. Saffiedine lands a series of kicks. Stinson eats a head kick. They clinch up with Saffiedine in an advantageous position. Stinson smashes him, which sends Saffiedine careening backwards. Stinson presses in for the kill and nearly ends it all with an armbar. Saffiedine is up but Stinson is punishing him Saffiedine is bleeding from his right eye. He doesn't see the strikes coming as Stinson pours it on. Saffiedine survives, barely.

SCORECARD: Stinson 10-9

ROUND TWO Stinson continues to attack the eye of Saffiedine. Saffiedine lands a head kick. Stinson (who is clearly a new world samurai and redneck nonetheless) stalks Saffiedine and goes roadhouse on him. Stinson is content to brawl and maul. Saffiedine has had enough and tackles Stinson to the ground. Saffiedine works from the guard position. Saffiedine rains down elbow strikes. Stinson is getting pummeled. Stinson can't get free. Saffiedine ends the round in a dominant position.

SCORECARD: Saffiedine 10-9

ROUND THREE Round starts and just as quickly stop as Stinson takes a kick directly in the junk. Saffiedine delivers and inside leg kick and this time avoids kicking him in the baby maker. Stinson kicks him back and Saffiedine tackles him to the canvas. Both men are actively working from the guard position. Saffiedine tenderizes Stinson's torso. Stinson is looking for a submission or a way out but he's coming up with bubkis while continuing to get beat up by Saffiedine. Saffiedine stands up in Stinson's guard and smashes him. He dives back in but the ref stands them up again. Both men are a bloody mess. Kicks and knees from Saffiedine while Stinson throws haymakers. Stinson kicks Saffiedine in the body. Stinson kicks Saffiedine as he runs away to end the round.

SCORECARD: Saffiedine 10-9

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Tarec Saffiedine by split decision (29-28 Saffiedine, 30-27 Saffiedine, 29-28 Stinson)

In what world does Stinson, who was on his back for nearly 10 minutes out of a 15 minute fight, win that fight? The same one where Sarah Kaufman gets skipped over for a title fight because she isn't as pretty or marketable as Ronda Rousey #kaufmaniseversopissed. Moving on...

Welterweight bout: Jordan Mein (169lbs 23-7) vs. Tyron Woodley (171lbs 9-0)

ROUND ONE Mein and Woodley paw at one another. Woodley is backed up against the cage but he keeps Mein at bay with kicks. Woodley fights for a single leg takedown. Woodley can't get him down and the ref breaks them up. Woodley goes back to pawing and Mein nearly takes his head off. Woodley finally takes Mein down. Woodley immediately goes for the arm triangle. Mein is fighting him off but Woodley continues to smotherhump Mein. Woodley smashes Mein with a hard elbow. Mein escapes after another elbow. Woodley grabs a Thai clinch and delivers a knee to end the round.

SCORECARD: Woodley 10-9

ROUND TWO Mein lands a kick but it's caught by T-Wood. Overhand right from Woodley finds its target. Woodley gets the takedown. Woodley goes back to trying for an arm triangle. Woodley is in full guard, smothering Mein while he pounds on his body. Woodley delivers a few elbows. Mein delivers a few elbows. Mein continues to land elbows. Mein tries for a guillotine but Woodley is too sweaty and pulls his head free.

SCORECARD: Woodley 10-9

ROUND THREE Mein starts off with a knee, which is caught and Woodley uses it to take Mein down. Woodley is doing everything he did in round 2. Woodley spends almost the entire round smothering Mein. Mein tries for a keylock and the ref stands them up #headdesk. Woodley clinches but Mein turns him around and presses him against the fence. Mein attempts a hip toss. They exchange knees before the round ends. The crowd is booing...Diaz vs Daley this is not.

SCORECARD: Woodley 10-9

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Tyron Woodley by split decision (30-27 Tyron Woodley, 29-28 Tyron Woodley, 29-28 Mein)

I can't even find the words; anywho...

Tyron Woodley is the African American version of GSP prior to GSP learning how to jab opponents into blindness. If those two ever fight time will stand still. In fact, GSP ever fought Woodley I suspect this would be the result:



Light Heavyweight bout: Lorenz Larkin (206lbs 12-0) vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (205lbs 8-1)

ROUND ONE King Mo waits about 30 seconds and goes for the takedown, which he gets. Mo pounds on Larkin. Mo stands up and then moves back into the open half guard of Larkin. Larkin leaves his head exposed and Mo makes him pay for it. Larkin tries for a guillotine but Mo easily pulls his head out. Mo resumes pounding on Larkin. Mo goes head-body, head-body and the ref stands them up...seriously? So Woodley can cuddle with Mein for 5 minutes at a time but if Mo doesn't murder Larkin with punches they must stand? Well now I'm confused. Back to the fight, oh wait the round has ended.

SCORECARD: Lawal 10-9

ROUND TWO King Mo shoots for the takedown but Larkin knees him in the face for it. Mo gets him down anyway. Mo commences to smash Larkin in the face until the ref stops it. I assume, the way this night is going, that the official decision will be Larkin by split decision.

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – King Mo by TKO (strikes) at 1:32 of round 2.

The stoppage was a bit late but that's probably because the Villante fight may have been stopped early. Either way this lady ref is just terrible.

Middleweight bout: Adlan Amagov (186lbs 9-1-1) vs. Robbie Lawler (186lbs 18-8, 1NC)

ROUND ONE Lawler comes forward and nails Amagov who retaliates with a takedown (oh for Christ's sake). Amagov takes his back and then front face locks him. He then proceeds to knee Lawler while he's on the ground. The ref stops it momentarily and will take a point away from Amagov. They reset and resume. Both men circle and then Lawler launches his knee over Amagov and lands, throwing strikes the whole way. He finishes him off right then and there. The noobs are all going down in flames tonight...if Jardine beats Rockhold I will plotz.

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Robbie Lawler by TKO (strikes) at 1:38 of round 1.

MAIN EVENT MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT:

Middleweight Championship bout: Champ Luke Rockhold (185lbs 8-1) vs. Keith Jardine (185lbs 16-10-2)

ROUND ONE Jardine is the first to strike as he lands a pair of kicks. Rockhold lands a kick to the body. Jardine lands more strikes and Rockhold responds in kind. Rockhold leaps forward and clinches with Jardine. Rockhold presses him against the fence and knees him in the torso. Jardine knees him back. Rockhold elbows Jardine and then releases. Spinning back kick from Rockhold finds its mark. Rockhold smacks Jardine. Jardine lands a hook but can't follow up. Rockhold tries to finish it early with a liver shot. Jardine lands two leg kicks. Rockhold drops Jardine but he recovers quickly. Rockhold seems more than willing to brawl with Jardine. Rockhold is all over Jardine and drops him again. The ref finally stops it after Jardine goes cross-eyed. Holy codfish, Rockhold finishes Jardine in the first round!

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Luke Rockhold by TKO (strikes) at 4:26 of round 1.

The less said about tonights fights the better. We'll be previewing UFC 142 on tomorrow's edition of the 411 Ground and Pound Radio show (11:00 AM) and I'll be back next Saturday to cover the event as well. Until then, be well, be safe and behave.