As a relatively new promoter in the mixed martial arts world, Strikeforce has two objectives during events. First of all, it hopes for excitement. Second, it hopes to create new stars.
Both goals were reached during Saturday night's card on Strikeforce.
Jake Shields, Brett Rogers and Nick Diaz emerged as forces to be reckoned with after wins during Strikeforce's St. Louis event.
Amongst all the participants, perhaps no one left making a bigger impression than 262-pound heavyweight Brett "The Grim" Rogers, who knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in just 22 seconds.
Strikeforce Photos
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Rogers knocked Arlovski against the cage with a right, then managed a left-right combo that put Arlovski out. As Arlovski fell to the canvas and Rogers moved in for the kill, referee Big John McCarthy stepped between them and put a stop to the action before things could get worse for the Belarussian.
"I've been working hard and that's what happens when you work hard," Rogers said shortly after the bout.
Arlovski had come in a heavy favorite, still talking up a potential rematch with world top heavyweight and WAMMA champion Fedor Emelianenko, but the decisive loss puts him in a must-win situation next time out while Rogers' win gives him a legitimate claim to fight for the Strikeforce heavyweight title owned by Alistair Overeem. Rogers (10-0) and Overeem were originally scheduled to fight for the belt until Overeem was injured in a bar fight. It is still a fight Rogers wants.
"Most importantly," he said, "I want that title."
Strikeforce announced a likely Aug. 15 return date for Overeem, so Rogers may have to be ready to go in short order for a shot at the title.
Former EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields also made a major impact, defeating ex-middleweight champ Robbie Lawler with a first-round guillotine choke submission.
Shields, a Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt, took advantage of a quick lapse in Lawler's defense, hooking on a standing guillotine and refusing to surrender it even after being slammed down.
"I felt the strength difference and I just got a chance on his neck. Once I got it, I wasn't letting go," Shields said.
The 30-year-old Shields improved his record to 23-4-1 and increased his winning streak to 12 straight fights with the first-round stoppage.
Immediately after the fight, Shields asked for a chance at the middleweight championship. Just as he mentioned during a recent interview with FanHouse, Shields said he's ready for Cung Le.
"I want the title," he said. "Cung Le is a friend, but step up and give me that belt."
In a hard-fought catch weight fight, Nick Diaz defeated Scott Smith via third-round submission.
Diaz got the better of Smith with precise striking and unrivaled conditioning in the first two rounds before finishing it out in the final frame. After beating Frank Shamrock and Smith, Diaz, like his buddy Shields, has a legitimate case at fighting for the 185-pound title.
In other featured fights, Joe Riggs won a unanimous decision over Phil Baroni and Mike Whitehead also earned a decision over Kevin Randleman.
In the possibly the night's biggest upset, Mike Kyle scored a second-round TKO over Rafael "Feijao" Cavalacante. But Strikeforce also scored another coup, announcing the long-awaited women's bout between Gina Carano and Cris "Cyborg" Santos.
Undercard results
Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner via kimura, Rd. 1
Mike Kyle def. Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante via TKO, Rd. 2
Booker DeRousse def. James Wade via TKO, Rd. 1
Tyron Woodley def. Sal Woods via north-south choke, Rd. 1
Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ due to illegal knee strike, Rd. 1
Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran via triangle choke submission, Rd. 1