Nick Diaz vs. Tyron Woodley: Still raw and relatively unproven, Woodley poses perhaps the most difficult style matchup for Diaz. An NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri -- he teamed there with current Bellator Fighting Championships welterweight titleholder and 2008 Olympian Ben Askren -- he wields the kind of wrestling pedigree that has given Diaz pause in the past. Undefeated in eight professional starts, Woodley has positioned himself for a run at the belt at exactly the right time. Diaz has all but run out of potential suitors under the Strikeforce banner. Whether or not Woodley’s defenses could withstand Diaz’s spider bottom game remains a real concern, but one has to figure matchmakers will strike while this iron is hot. Woodley’s athleticism, speed and top-flight wrestling make for an intriguing matchup with the champion. Gilbert Melendez vs. K.J. Noons: Melendez put together what will likely go down as the most complete performance of his career, as he dismantled respected Japanese veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri in the co-main event. His heavy right hand had the former Shooto champion on his heels from the start, and he never relented. Ultimately, Melendez made Melendez pay for a desperate takedown attempt, as he sprawled, punched and elbowed his way to a violent finish. It was as beautiful as it was brutal, and Melendez can now make a real case as the world’s top lightweight. Noons showed his fortitude in going five taxing rounds with Diaz at 170 pounds in October. At lightweight, he is a brute. Perhaps the purest striker in MMA, his quick, powerful and precise punches can change a fight in an instant. Couple those abilities with his ever-improving takedown defense, and he poses a significant threat to Melendez’s throne. Gegard Mousasi vs. Dan Henderson: Minus takedowns, Mousasi controlled his fight with UFC veteran Keith Jardine from start to finish. However, an illegal first-round upkick from Mousasi cost him a point and resulted in a majority draw that was panned by many. Few are blessed with more natural ability than the former light heavyweight champion, who has competed at three different weight classes in the last two years. Mousasi owns a 17-1-1 mark in his past 19 outings. At 40, Henderson remains one of MMA’s elite competitors, and a return to the 205-pound division has breathed new life into the former two-division Pride Fighting Championships titleholder. Carving out an historic niche in the sport, Henderson added the Strikeforce light heavyweight crown to his resume in March, when he dethroned Rafael “Feijao†Cavalcante with his fabled right hand at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. No matter who comes next for the two-time Olympian, he will be difficult to knock off the mountaintop. Shinya Aoki vs. Josh Thomson: Aoki’s second appearance on American soil went far better than his first. The Japanese submission ace capitalized on a major strategic blunder from Lyle Beerbohm and submitted “Fancy Pants†in a little more than a minute and a half. Despite a number of high-profile and embarrassing hiccups throughout his combat sports career, Aoki has long been established as one the world’s best at 155 pounds. The talented but oft-injured Thomson wields the kind of wrestling chops needed to keep a fight against Aoki standing and the kind of striking ability required to make him fold. Thomson, who turns 33 in September, has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to Kawajiri on New Year’s Eve in Japan. The American Kickboxing Academy representative, respected for years as one of the division’s scrappiest competitors, has never been submitted. That alone makes for an interesting storyline against Aoki.
Woodley is not ready for Diaz. Great wrestling or not, he isn't ready for Diaz. I love Melendez-Noons but it remains to be seen if Noons will drop back to 155. People always say he fought Diaz the second time above his normal weight, but the truth is that Noons had not made 155 for his last 3 fights prior to the rematch with Diaz. Henderson-Mousasi is a bit interesting because I don't know that Mousasi has faced a puncher quite like Henderson before. And Josh Thompson has all the tools to treat Aoki just like Melendez did. Thompson has solid wrestling, great BJJ defense, and can bomb standing. I see a 3 round version of Melendez-Aoki.
Agree on Diaz/Woodley. Diaz subs or TKOs him pretty easily. Diaz is too well rounded. Melendez Noons will be great because Melendez standing game has greatly improved. Will be a great standup war. Hendo will take Mousasi down at will and be a great risk on the feet as well. I would be concerned if I was Mousasi. Aoki gets pounded out by Thompson if not a wide UD.
I think Melendez beats Noons easier than Diaz due to his much superior wrestling. Noons is nothing off his back. Melendez is a much smarter fighter than Diaz. Diaz looks to out-man guys, Gilbert has good gameplans AND follows them.
