Karl's Quick Picks - Strikeforce Diaz vs Daley

Strikeforce's first major card since been acquired by the UFC, and there's some compelling fights here. There are two title fights on the card, with Nick Diaz taking on Paul Daley, and Gilbert Melendez taking on Tatsuya Kawajiri. I'm not gonna go into full analysis on this one, but I figured "Fuck it, put the picks up". So here they are.


Gegard "The Dreamcatcher" Mousasi (30-3-1) vs Keith "The Dean of the Mean" Jardine (17-9-1)
Despite his lame nickname, Mousasi is a very talented fighter, with great striking and solid submissions. Jardine, who has gone 2-1 since his release from the UFC, comes in as a late replacement for noted asshole Mike Kyle. Jardine got released from the UFC after losing four straight fights, and his striking defence is less than stellar. Mousasi should be able to exploit Jardine's weaknesses, and pull out a KO win over the veteran in the second.

Shinya "Tobikan Judan" Aoki (26-5)  vs Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm (15-1)
Aoki may be one of the best submission artists in MMA, with the ability to submit just about anyone as soon as the fight hits the ground. Unfortunately, that's just about the only area he's good at, as he is an embarrassingly bad striker and wrestler and has a jaw so glassy that stiff winds can knock him out. Beerbohm, a former crackhead, is coming off his first loss to Pat Healy, but had some hype going into that fight. Beerbohm has some striking and wrestling skills, so unless hes retarded he will keep the fight standing on route to a first round TKO.

Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (18-2) vs Tatsuya Kawajiri (27-6-2)
Melendez is probably the best lightweight outside of the UFC, and beat Kawajiri back in 2006. Kawajiri is one Japan's top fighters, and makes his Strikeforce debut. Kawajiri's biggest weakness is his wrestling, and that happens to be Melendez's biggest strength. I see Melendez repeatedly taking Kawajiri down and working ground and pound on route to a decision win.

Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz (24-7) vs Paul Daley (27-9-2)
Nick Diaz, the older of the two Diaz brothers, is riding a 9 fight win streak and has become one of the best welterweights not in the UFC. Daley was on his way to a title shot in the UFC before Koscheck blanketed him on route to a decision win. Both these guys aren't on the best terms with the UFC: Diaz left the UFC on a two fight win streak because, as Dana White puts it, he wouldn't play the game. Daley got cut after sucker punching Koscheck following their fight at UFC 113. Daley has serious power in his hands, and has decent wrestling defense. Diaz has proven to be an effective striker as well, but is also a very dangerous ju jitsu practitioner. If Diaz is smart, he will take Daley down and pick up an easy submission win, but I see him standing with Daley, and getting a much closer and tougher decision win.