Strikeforce is close to pulling the trigger on its upcoming Showtime-televised fight card on Sat., March 3, 2012, from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
"Tate vs. Rousey" will feature newly-minted women's champion Miesha Tate putting her 135-pound title on the line against undefeated Judo specialist Ronda Rousey.
MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the Strikeforce main card action below on fight night, which is slated to air at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime. The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 8:00 p.m. ET with the "Prelims" bouts on Showtime Extreme.
Other match-ups booked for "The Discovery City" include K.J. Noons vs. Josh Thomson, former women's champion Sarah Kaufman vs. Alexis Davis and Paul Daley vs. Kazuo Misaki.
That's not all.
Here is the complete Strikeforce: "Tate vs. Rousey" fight card and line up:
Main Event:
135 lbs.: Ronda Rousey def. Miesha Tate via submission (armbar) at 4:27 of round 1
Main card (Showtime):
155 lbs.: Josh Thomson def. K.J Noons via unanimous decision
170 lbs.: Kazuo Misaki def. Paul Daley via split decision
185 lbs.: Lumumba Sayers def. Scott Smith via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:34 of round 1
185 lbs.: Ronaldo Souza def. Bristol Marunde via submission (arm triangle) at 2:43 of round 3Preliminary card (Showtime Extreme):
135 lbs.: Sarah Kaufman def. Alexis Davis via majority decision
170 lbs.: Roger Bowling def. Brandon Saling via TKO at 1:15 of round 2
155 lbs.: Pat Healy def. Caros Fodor via submission (arm triangle) at 3:35 of round 3
155 lbs.: Ryan Couture def. Conor Heun via TKO at 2:52 of round 3
STRIKEFORCE MAIN CARD PLAY-BY-PLAY ON SHOWTIME
Hemmi here!
Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey (135-pound limit)
Round one: Tate comes out throwing big punches and Rousey takes her down after a clinch. Rousey passes to side control quickly. Rousey postures up and Tate throws an upkick but Rousey passes to sode control. Rousey has an armbar locked in and she's cranking badly on it. Tate escapes! Tate now takes Rousey's back and she drags Rousey to the canvas. She puts the hooks in and Rousey rotates and gets back to her feet. Rousey tries to slam Tate but Tate is still on her back and she's hunting for a rear naked choke. Rousey scrambles out the back door and pops back to her feet. She lands a punch as Tate tries to get back up. Tate lunges forward looking for a takedown and Rousey has Tate in a head lock and she trips Tate to the ground. They separate and both ladies exchange punches. Tate presses forward with some big hooks and Rousey tosses her to the ground with a slick hip toss. Rousey is in side control and she passes to mount. She postures up and Tate gives up her back. Rousey dives for an armbar and she's got it. She's cranking hard on the arm and Tate taps out. Her arm is destroyed! Rousey is the new champ!
Final result: Ronda Rousey defeats Miesha Tate via submission (armbar) at 4:27 of round one
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Josh Thomson vs. K.J. Noons (155-pound limit)
Round one: Thomson connects with a huge jumping front kick early but Noons recovers and gets to work with his boxing. Thomson dives for a flying heel hook but gives up on it and they get back to striking. Noons is trying to find his range and Thomson is throwing some big push kicks to knock him backwards and create distance. Thomson shoots in for a single leg takedown and he scores a tip but Noons is scrambling hard to get back to his feet. Noons scoots over to the fence but Thomson has his legs under control as he wraps him up. Thomson is trying to climb up and Noons frees a leg as he's sitting up along the fence. Noons almost gets to his feet but Thomson dumps him on his back and he's creeping up into a good position on the ground. Thomson stays on top until the end of the round. 10-9 Thomson
Round two: Thomson presses the action and can't secure a takedown. He misses with a huge head kick and falls to his back as Noons follows him down to the ground but he backs off as Thomson aggressively tries to sweep him. Thomson secures a body lock against the fence and dumps Noons on the ground. Noons looks frustrated and Thomson tries to pass his guard. The crowd is getting restless. Thomson enters Noons' closed guard and drops some light ground and pound and Noons tries to force a stand-up. The ref stands them up with two minutes left and Noons presses forward with punches. Thomson looks tired and Noons is pressing forwards with some decent strikes. Thomson tries to take it down but Noons stuffs him. Noons throws big sloppy hooks and Thomson scores a takedown along the fence. Thomson postures up and throws a nice right hand as he drops down as Noons hangs on for dear life until the end of the round. That was ugly. 10-9 Thomson
Round three: Thomson scores a big takedown early and he's threatening with an arm triangle immediately. Thomson is not in side control as Noons is wrapping up his leg in half guard and he barely squirms free. Thomson is in a good sport here partially taking Noons' back. Noons turns into Thomson but he can't do anything and he's losing this fight. Time is running out and and Thomson is just playing it safe on top. He postures up and throws a few punches but then throws some short knees to the body as time expires. That was pretty brutal. 10-9 Thomson
Final result: Josh Thomson defeats K.J. Noons via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
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Paul Daley vs. Kazuo Misaki (170-pound limit)
Round one: Both men posture a bit and Daley throws a nice leg kick. Daley pumps the jab and both men are still testing the waters a bit and keeping their distance. Daley tosses out a leg kick and Misaki fires back with straight lefts to the body. Misaki catches a kick and takes Daley down quickly, wrapping up Daley's legs along the fence. Daley pushes down on Misaki's head and pops back to his feet, eating a push kick to the body. Misaki throws a huge looping left hand and Daley is still tentative here. Misaki lands a nice inside leg kick and both men exchange as Misaki attempts a trip takedown but Daley squirms free. Daley throws a nice straight right hand and then a lead left. Misaki catches Daley with a right hand and then a nice straight left. Misaki has Daley against the fence and throws a flurry of strikes as Daley covers up. Daley throws a 1-2 and Misaki is holding his own. Now Daley shoots in and takes Misaki down, landing in Misaki's closed guard. Daley is not doing anything with his top position and he finally postures up and throws some big left hands and Misaki sweeps him right at the final horn. 10-9 Misaki
Round two: Misaki presses forward and throws a body kick. Misaki lands a nice body shot and Daley clinches, pressing him into the fence. Misaki attempts a throw but Daley avoids it. Daley lands a nice left hand but he's moving backwards as Misaki stalks him. Daley connects with a straight left and then another. Misaki walks Daley into the fence and sticks his jab in Daley's face. Daley shoots in and scores a takedown, dropping some short elbows from top position. They scramble and Daley throws some short strikes and Daley is working for Misaki's back. He looks up at the referee and Misaki sweeps him, taking top position and dropping a nice elbow. The ref stands them up and Misaki landsa nice push kick and Daley whiffs with everything he throws. Daley looks horrible right now. 10-9 Misaki
Round three: Misaki lands a nice leg kick and Daley is stalking him now. Both men trade punches and Misaki is landing nice counters. Misaki misses with a huge haymaker, eating a straight left jab. Misaki wades in but Daley changes levels and dumps him on his back but he's got to do something with it here. Daley is hanging out inside Misaki's guard and he throws a nice short elbow which cuts Misaki. Misaki is bleeding profusely here, this is bad. They might stop it but it's not directly above the eye so they let them go back at it. They reset and Daley lands a push kick. They clinch and Daley throws a nice left. Daley shoots for a takedown and Misaki stuffs it, countering with a knee. Daley throws a good lead left and Misaki is throwing huge haymakers. Daley looks sluggish and Misaki fires off a jumping knee. Daley keeps pumping his left jab, looking tentative and he misses with a big overhand right, eating a body shot counter. Misaki throws a nice body kick and Daley is moving backwards. He cuts off Daley against the fence adn Daley shoots in for a takedown but Misaki pops right back to his feet. Misaki takes inside position and throws a pair of knees to the body. Misaki wades in and Daley tries for another takedown but gets denied. We've got 10 seconds left and Daley just moves backwards doing nothing at the end. I'm perplexed by his strategy here. 10-9 Misaki
Final result: Kazuo Misaki def. Paul Daley via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
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Scott Smith vs. Lumumba Sayers (185-pound limit)
Round one: Sayers connects with a right hand as Smith plods forward and wings a big overhand right. Sayers gets inside and dumps Smith on his back with a big takedown and takes Smith's back immediately with both hooks in. Sayers gives up on it and he tags Smith as they get to their feet. He clinches and blasts Smith with right hands, lifts Smith over his head and slams him to the canvas. He latches on a guillotine choke and forces the tap immediately. That fight was a joke.
Final result: Lumumba Sayers defeats Scott Smith via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:34 of round one
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Ronaldo Souza vs. Bristol Marunde (185-pound limit)
Round one: Marunde has control of the cage center but Souza takes it right back and begins stalking him. Souza charges forward but Marunde side steps him. They clinch and Souza lands a nice knee as both men posture a bit. Souza again charges forward but Marunde avoids taking any damage. Marunde throws a nice straight right and both men exchange big blows and it appears Souza got the better fo it. They clinch and Souza landsa nice right hand. Souza clinches and scores a takedown, taking Marunde's back the second they hit the ground and he's up high with both hooks in at the midway point of the round. Souza head butts the back of Marunde and gets a warning from the referee and he's being pretty patient right now. Marunde is in defense mode and Souza postures up dropping punches to the back of the head. The ref separates them and gives Souza a warning as they get back to standing. They get back to striking and Souza drops Marunde with a big right hand which drops him and Souza latches on a guillotine but it gets defended. Marunde tries to scramble to his feet but Jacare has his back again and he throws a knee to the body. Marune gets to his feet and Jacare has a back body lock. Souza throws a knee to the body from behind and Marunde turns into him and takes inside position in the clinch, throwing short knees until the horn. 10-9 Souza
Round two: Marunde whiffs with a big looping right hand and he backs Souza off by pressing forward with punches. Marunde lands a nice right hand and Souza stuns him with a big punch and he throws a spinning back kick which connects to Marunde's chest. Souza clinches and he's got a back body lock and he beautifully pushes off the fence with his leg to gain leverage and score a takedown but Marunde pops back to his feet. They reset in the center of the cage and Marunda throws a nice overhand right and a left hand but Souza responds with a big knee on the inside. Souza presses forward but Marunde stops him in his tracks. Both men exchange and Souza lands a nice push kick and a punch to the body as Marunde clinches and throws short strikes. Souza has no sense of urgency as he throws a double jab but Marunde responds with a big leg kick. Souza connects with a big left hand and a powreful flurry and both men exchange with big power strikes. Souza is finding a home for a big overhand right but Marunde is not intimidated. Marunde presses forward but Souza changes levels and blasts him to the ground, threatening with a leg lock as time expires. 10-9 Souza
Round three: Marunde comes out aggressively but he leaves himself wide open to the takedown and Souza trips him to the canvas. Souza is in half guard and throws a short knee and some nice right hands from top position. Marunde grabs an arm and turns into him, trying to wall-walk his way back to his feet. Marunde turtles and explodes to his feet but Souza has a back body lock and drags him to the ground. Souza takes his back with three minutes left and Marunde tries to scramble but now Souza has an arm triangle. He doesn't pass to side control but he doesn't need it as he forces the tap.
Final result: Ronaldo Souza defeats Bristol Marunde via submission at 2:43 of round three
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STRIKEFORCE PRELIMS PLAY-BY-PLAY ON SHOWTIME EXTREME
Hemmi here!
Sarah Kaufman vs. Alexis Davis (135-pound limit)
Round one: Both ladies come out swinging and they are trading in the pocket early. Kaufman lands a nice right hand and Davis throws some nice uppercuts from the collar tie. Kaufman responds with a big series of right hand that stagger Davis and they enter the clinch. Both throw big strikes and Kaufman is unloading with power strikes while Davis fires back Kaufman is throwing the more powerful blows Kaufman pushes Davis into the fence and she throws some big elbows. Davis has a big gash over her left eye and it's not pretty. She tells the doctor she's fine and they continue. Kaufman continues throwing big strikes as both ladies exchange. Kaufman connects with another huge right hand and then another. She's overwhelming Davis here with her power and Davis tries to fire back with punches and body kicks. Kaufman continues to press forward and she throws some nice knees to the legs in the fence. Davis pummels and tries to do something but Kaufman exits with a big right hand. Davis eats some power and then she fires back with a large volume of punches and elbows. Davis throws a body kick and Kaufman goes right down the middle with a big right hand. Now Kaufman is cut with an elbow from Davis as both ladies are bleeding Both ladies exchange until time expires. That was a really good first round! 10-9 Kaufman
Round two: They restart where they left off exchanging in the pocket although the pace is a bit slower. Both ladies exchange knees in the clinch and Kaufman works her jab while Davis tries to fire back with body and leg kicks. They clinch and exchange short punches, knees and elbows and Davis is holding her own. Kaufman pushes Davis into the fence.They separate and Kaufman is throwing some nice jabs and she puts Davis in the coller tie, landing some nice right hands. Kaufman is going right up the middle with some big right hands and she pushes Davis back into the fence. Davis throws a nice knee to the body and Kaufman fires back with short punches and elbows. Kaufman throws a big left hand on the exit and Davis fires back with a powerful low kick. Kaufman continues to work her superior punches while Davis utilizes knees whenever she can get inside. Kaufman is now working her range well with some big straight punches and Davis responds with knees. This fight is extremely action packed as both ladies blast each other with punches at the horn. 10-9 Kaufman
Round three: Both ladies meet in the center and get right back to work. Davis throws some nice push kicks and body kicks but Kaufman is landing big right hands down the middle. They clinch and Davis throws big knees up the middle. Kaufman connects with a right hand and then a big combination but Davis has a granite chin. Davis continues to fire with nice knees whenever Kaufman gets inside and Davis scores a takedown directly into side control. Davis is on top right now and Kaufman is just covering up. Kaufman is only defending against a mount pass but Davis is glued on top. Kaufman tries to explode to her feet and Davis is hunting for a kimura but Kaufman takes top position in the scramble. Now Davis sweeps Kaufman and she's back in side control. Kaufman turtles and Davis drops right hands and she's got 70 seconds to work. Davis takes Kaufman's back but Kaufman scrambles back to half guard. Kaufman is only defending here as Davis drops some short left hands. Davis drops more short punches as the final horn sounds. 10-9 Davis
Final result: Sarah Kaufman defeats Alexis Davis via majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)
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Roger Bowling vs. Brandon Saling (170-pound limit)
Round one: Bowling throws a kick and then another but Saling catches the second and knocks him back. Bowling throws another leg kick and then a big body kick. They exchange punches and Bowling initiates a clinch taking inside position. Bowling throws a knee to the body and then a big right hand. Both men trade big punches and each man gets rocked. Bowling shoots in and drops Saling to the canvs and he's got a body lock but Saling pops back to his feet. Bowling throws a huge right hand and both men trade with huge punches. This is a brawl! Bowling shoots in and Saling sprawls but he puts Saling on the canvas. Bowlingpasses to side control and he's looking for an arm bar but Saling escapes and both men tarde big punches standing toe-to-toe. Bowling scores another takedown and he's in side control. Bowling throws some short left hands and then some knees from side control and Saling is trying to get out of the position. Bowling puts Saling in the crucifix and he's dropping some left hands as Saling can't defend himself. Bowling is throwing a big series of short left hands and Saling is busted up and he can't stop these punches and elbows. Bowling needs to keep up his offense and he'll get a stoppag. Bowling passes to mount as the round concludes. 10-9 Bowling
Round two: Bowling closes the distance looking for the takedown early and Saling is tired as Bowling puts him on the canvas in side control. Bowling again gets a crucifix and he's dropping a huge series of right hands and Saling can't defend himself again but these strikes aren't very powerful. Bowling continues to throw punches and the ref steps in and puts a halt to it.
Final result: Roger Bowling defeats Brandon Saling via TKO at 1:15 of round two
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Caros Fodor vs. Pat Healy (155-pound limit)
Round one: Both men exchange early with strikes and Healy drops down for a takedown attempt along the fence. Fodor fends it off at first but he's pinned against the fence. Both men are jockeying for position along the fence with neither taking a clear advantage. They exchange and Fodor smacks Healy with a big right hand which stuns him and they go right back to the clinch. Fodor drops down and dumps Healy onto the ground. Fodor throws a nice elbow from top position Fodor postures up and throws some more punches and he's opened up a cut on Healy's nose. Healy reverses him and postures up, standing up over Fodor and dropping some decent punches until the end of the round. 10-9 Fodor
Round two: Both men throw but Healy closes the distance and works to get inside, pressing Fodor into the fence with a clinch but Fodor fends it off. Healy throws some short knees and he grabs a single leg but Fodor is still defending. Healy finally scores a takedown and Fodor is sitting up along the fence. Healy isn't doing much damage but he's got top position. Healy doesn't drop many strikes and Fodor explodes to his feet but gives up his back in the process. Healy drags Fodor ot the ground and isn't doing much with it but he's trying to advance position on the canvas. Healy is thinking about an arm triangle and Fodor attempts a leg lock but gives up on it quickly as Healy passes to side control. Healy passes to mount and postures up, dropping some punches in the final 20 seconds. Fodor retains half guard and Healy grinds him out until the horn. 10-9 Healy
Round three: Fodor comes out looking to exchange and he's keeping his distance, working some punches and moving well. he throws a nice left hand and Healy dives forward with a single leg takedown attempt. Healy takes top position as Fodor gets dropped to the canvas and Healy passes to full mount quickly. Fodor is in trouble now as there's 3:30 left in the final round. Fodor is using good wrist control and he retains half guard but he can't get Healy off of him. Healy starts dropping some weak left punches and he's got Fodor's arm in the "gift wrap" position. Fodor is running out of time and Healy starts to attack with an arm triangle. He's trying to pass to side control but Fodor attacks with a heel hook. Healy remains composed and the second he slips out of the hold, he slaps on an arm triangle and this time he forces the tap! Great finish there by Pat Healy.
Final result: Pat Healy defeats Caros Fodor via submission (arm triangle) at 3:35 of round three
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Ryan Couture vs. Conor Heun (155-pound limit)
Round one: Heun takes control of the cage center early and Couture connects with a solid leg kick as he dances around the outside. Another nice body kick from Couture here and Heun fires back with a pair of body kicks which are checked. Heun pushes forward with a 1-2 combination and both men enter the clinch. Heun has inside position and Couture misses a throw attempt. Couture has Heun in a body lock but Heun fends him off and throws an elbow on the exit. Nice leg kick from Couture and then a body kick. Heun tries to catch it for a takedown but Couture pulls it back in time. Couture dives in with a nice right hand and then another but Heun shoots in and takes him down. Couture throws up an omaplata and Heun slams him but Couture uses it to pop back to his feet immediately. Heun again closes the distance and scores a takedown and gets it this time. Couture is hanging on and he turtles, getting back to his feet and he eats a knee on the way up. Couture lands another nice overhand right and Heun's eye is swelling up. Couture throws a spinning back kick at the end of the round. 10-9 Couture
Round two: Couture is working his boxing early and he's connecting with that lead left jab and at will. Heun is moving in slow motion. He drops down for an ankle pick but Couture fends it off. They exchange and Heun lands a nice right but Couture backs off and pops him with another jab. Couture throws a big uppercut and Heun dives in, scoring a big takedown. Couture attacks with a Kimura and Heun is trying to elbow him to escape the hold. Couture lets go of the submission hold but he throws his legs up and is looking for an arm or maybe a triangle. Couture rolls and gets to his feet and Heun latches on a guillotine choke but Couture guts through it and then scores a takedown, taking Heun's back with 80 seconds left. Couture is attacking with a rear naked choke but he's up a little too high and Heun comes out the back door. They get to their feet in the clinch and Heun pulls guard with his legs up high but can't do much with it as time expires. Much, much closer round but I'm leaning 10-9 Couture
Round three: Couture is very light on his feet, dancing around while Heun is extremely flat-footed. Couture closes the distance and clinches, working for a takedown and Heun attacks with a Kimura. Couture throws hammerfists and Heun gives up on it as Couture passes to mount. Both men scramble around and Couture remains in top position in side control, throwing elbows to Heun's thighs. Couture takes Heun's back and drops some punches. He's got his hooks in and throwing punches and Heun is exhausted. Couture postures up and drops punches and Heun is not answering them as the ref steps in and puts a halt to it! Very nice finish by Ryan Couture there in his first big step-up in competition level.
Final result: Ryan Couture defeats Conor Heun via TKO at 2:52 of round three
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