Strikeforce confirms Gracie vs Randleman and Villasenor vs Souza for 'Heavy Artillery' on May 15
by Jesse Holland on Apr 23, 2010 9:38 AM EDT
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World class grappler and mixed martial arts enigma Roger Gracie will finally make his Strikeforce debut when he tangles with free-falling light heavyweight Kevin Randleman at "Heavy Artillery" on May 15 in St. Louis, MO.
The celebrated ADCC and CBJJ jiu-jitsu champion made his fighting debut back at Bodog’s ‘USA vs. Russia’ event way back in December of 2006, forcing muscular mauler Ron "H20" Waterman say uncle courtesy of a textbook armbar.
Despite showing much promise, Gracie has only competed once since then -- a 2008 submission win over fading Japanese star Yuki Kondo at Sengoku 2 in May of 2008.
He was expected to appear on separate occasions under the Sengoku banner but pulled out of a fight against Travis Wiuff after suffering a rib injury and was then denied a second time when his next opponent, Jeff Monson, fought the law (and the law won).
Despite the layoff, he matches up well against the ice-cold Randleman. While he's a tremendous wrestler bearing a resume littered with the world's top fighters across multiple weight classes, "The Monster" has dropped a staggering 9 of his last 12, including a cardio-deprived decision loss to Mike Whitehead in his Strikeforce debut last June.
And it certainly doesn't help that close to half his losses have come by way of submission.
Speaking of submissions, Greg Jackson product "Smokin'"Joey Villasenor will try to keep his limbs out of the red zone against another gifted grappler when he looks to extend his winning streak to five straight at the expense of Ronaldo Souza.
"Jacare" tapped longtime MMA veteran Matt Lindland in his Strikeforce debut at last December's "Evolution" event after a torrid run through DREAM overseas. Expect to see him in the title mix with a win over Villasenor.
"Heavy Artillery" boasts an impressive line-up of heavyweight attractions with Brett "The Grim" Rogers finally getting his hands on Alistair "Demolition Man" Overeem while Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski tries to return to relevance against Antonio "Junior" Silva.
Keep it locked in to MMAmania.com for more updates on this still-developing fight card.
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Randleman?
Yawn.
Since Villasenor isnt fighting Tim Kennedy after all I’d like to see Kennedy vs Luke Rockhold. That would be a great fight there.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
Villasenor v Jacare is a good fight
Randleman v Gracie…..maybe not so much. My guess is they are attempting to get Gracie a win in order to build his name.
I think it's good for him. With only two fights, he needs this.
Randleman is so shop worn that even his wrestling isn’t up to par against mid to low level guys anymore. If he wants Gracie can really put in work and get solid ring time to work his striking as well as get use to fighting. As tiem passes, cardio fails too so Roger has the opportunity to really finish him as long as he keeps up a workrate. Randleman literally poses no threat to him anywhere.
Jacare should soundly tuck Smoking Joe in probly with an armbar or hell even striking at the rate he’s progressing. Joe packs power though and i am not too keen on Jacare’s chin (opinion not based on mousasi upkick).
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Apr 23, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Jacre is easily one of my favorite fighters to watch fight! Smoking joe is a legit threat, but Jacre wins this one for sure!
Not to Sheilds: Avoid Jacre at all costs!
As I said before Jacare would take Sheilds out 10/10 times
Roger & Jacare are the best pure BJJ guys in MMA today
by holdin_ropes on Apr 23, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
This is pathetic. This makes me long for the days when;
Strikeforce would announce real fights. You know, like Herschel Walker vs. oh wait. If this isn’t a slap in the face, what is?
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
villasenor vs Jacare is an interesting fight to me. i like seeing world class bjj guys competing against legit mma fighters.
Gatti. Dekkers. Pele. Aoki. Kang. Vanderlei. Basillio. Harry Greb.
by theworldsoldestsport on Apr 23, 2010 11:05 AM EDT reply actions
Thats a Great Point.
I watched Joey spar this morning and he would whoop Jacara on the feet without a doubt but he has been working hard on his grappling. And does anyone know what Jacare cuts from because Joeys pretty big right now.
by AintNoSunshine on Apr 23, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
i thiink..
that Jacare shud b the number one contender for the middleweight title, atleast while the lawler/miller thingy is going on..
For what profit is it to man if he gains the world , and loses his own soul?
- Matthew 16:26
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