Saturday, December 18, 2010 by Brian Knapp (bknapp@sherdog.com) 28874 Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare†Souza (Pictured) will defend his crown against Robbie Lawler on Jan. 29 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Souza announced the bout at Jungle Fight 24 on Saturday at the Flamengo Rowing Club Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Souza has rattled off three consecutive victories since his Dream 9 bout with Jason “Mayhem†Miller ended in a no contest in May 2009. The 31-year-old judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt last appeared at Strikeforce “Houston†in August, when he defeated Tim Kennedy by unanimous decision and captured the middleweight crown that had been vacated by Jake Shields. A five-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and 2005 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist, Souza has secured 10 of his 13 career MMA victories by submission. A HIT Squad representative, Lawler knocked out 2000 Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland at Strikeforce “Henderson vs. Babalu 2†on Dec. 4. One of the sport’s heaviest hitters, the 28-year-old former EliteXC middleweight champion has delivered 15 of his 18 wins by knockout or technical knockout. Lawler’s list of victims includes Pride Fighting Championships veteran Murilo “Ninja†Rua, former Icon Sport middleweight titleholder Frank Trigg and Dutch destroyer Melvin Manhoef. Good fight. Very intriguing style matchup. My first thought is Jacare catches him with a sub, but Robbie is tough. Great takedown defense and we all know he has heavy hands. Push comes to shove, I'll take Jacare by sub late. Say round 4. Its a shame Jacare and Shields never fought.
I think Lawler should win this. Wrestling background, cardio and heavy hands seem to be Jacare's kryptonite, especially considering his questionable chin.
very good possibility. Seriously, what do you think about the Jacare/Shields matchup? I know its gone now, but I really wanted to see it.
I like Lawler in this one. Personally I don't think Souza will be able to get Lawler to the mat before getting crunched.
Jacare has a nack for getting it to the ground. Lawler is a good wrestler, but he has kind of forgotten that.:: And obviously Shields didn't need it to get to the ground. I like this fight alot. Robbie doesn't back down, Jacare has crazy strength. Should be fun.:cheer:
It is. No way in hell I'd bet it. Shields may have the advantage purely with his wrestling takedowns. I could see it being a snoozer if you don't enjoy a tactical chessmatch.
Just read this over at Sherdog. Prangley is a nice test for Roger Gracie. Prangley definitely has a bit of a boring style, could end up being a snoozer. But most likely Roger will catch him in a sub. Monday, December 20, 2010 by Brian Knapp (bknapp@sherdog.com) 28899 Submission grappling savant Roger Gracie (Pictured) will meet Shark Fights champion Trevor Prangley in a featured light heavyweight duel under the Strikeforce banner on Jan. 29 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., according to a source with knowledge of the matchup. A 10-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships winner, Gracie remains widely regarded as the brightest prospect of his famous family’s next generation. The 29-year-old Brazilian has secured all three of his professional mixed martial arts victories by submission. Gracie last appeared at Strikeforce “Heavy Artillery†in May, when his second-round rear-naked choke solicited a tapout from former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. He holds other MMA victories over Yuki Kondo and Ron Waterman. Prangley has not fought since he earned a split decision over Keith Jardine at Shark Fights 13 in September. The 38-year-old American Kickboxing Academy rep has held titles inside the Maximum Fighting Championship and Bodog Fight promotions. Wins over the world-ranked Chael Sonnen, “The Ultimate Fighter†Season 4 alum Travis Lutter, former International Fight League middleweight champion Matt Horwich and “The Ultimate Fighter†Season 11 alum Kyacey Uscola anchor Prangley’s resume. A native of South Africa, he was a two-time collegiate All-American wrestler at North Idaho College. A Strikeforce middleweight title bout pairing champion Ronaldo “Jacare†Souza against Robbie Lawler will likely headline the Jan. 29 event. In addition, 1982 Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker will make his second professional MMA appearance.
I would take jacare just based on the fact hes stronger and has the BJJ skills shields is horribly weak
This actually becomes a pretty fun card if they add the rumored Fedor-Bigfoot bout. Prangley is a good test for Gracie.
If Fedor/Bigfoot is on this card that shit is badass especially if it stays non PPV on Showtime.:hammert: Prangley is one of those guys who will never be elite but he can roll with just about anyone and be a tough match. His lay n pray style is smothering and he is stronger than an ox. The bad thing is it is hard to look good against him.
jsut read Nick Diaz is fighting Evangelista Cyborg on the card's main event. SF was trying to make a Diaz/Miller fight but from what I can read Miller doesn't want to fight at WW. Too bad, Diaz/Miller could have been a good fight.
Miller put a on a good amount of keep-able size. He realized he was weaker then most fighters do he gained the weight to make up for it
