This is the Strikeforce live blog for Jay Hieron vs. Jesse Taylor, a welterweight bout on the Showtime card Saturday night. Unfortunately for Hieron, with the exit of Nick Diaz, this bout was switched to a three-round non-title bout. However, the winner here could very well be fighting for the title in the near future.
Follow the live blog below.
This fight got bumped off the Showtime portion of the card because they were afraid the telecast would go over their scheduled time slot with three title fights on the card. Poor Jay Hieron -- the man just can't buy a break.
Round one: Herb Dean is our referee. Fight starts with Taylor controlling the center of the cage. Taylor goes for a takedown, but gets stuffed. Taylor tries for another takedown, but ends up on his back with Hieron in his guard. Needless to say, Hieron's takedown defense is looking great. Hieron moves to half guard position, but doesn't do much. Fans are getting restless. Hieron tries for a guillotine choke in Taylor's guard, but Taylor escapes. Fans are booing a lot now. Dean eventually stands them up. Taylor immediately tries for a takedown, but Hieron just moves out of the way. Round ends with more boos. FanHouse scores the first round 10-9 in favor of Hieron.
Round two: Taylor misses on a right hand to open the round, and Hieron takes him down. Hieron lands some shots, which have opened a cut on Taylor's face. Hieron then secures Taylor's back, and looks to be close to locking in a guillotine choke. Taylor escapes, and Hieron tries for an arm triangle. Dean eventually stands them up. Guess what happens next? Taylor tries for a takedown, but gets stuffed. Taylor is looking very tired. The extreme weight cut on short notice msust be getting to him. Hieron back in Taylor's guard. Dean stands them up again. You'll never guess what happened next? Missed takedown by Taylor. He looks gassed. Round ends. FanHouse scores the second round 10-9 in favor of Hieron.
Round three: Rounds begins with Hieron in the center of the cage. Taylor throws a couple of leg kicks, which Hieron checks. Taylor tries for a takedown, but same old story. He then tries for another, which Hieron stuffs again. Hieron lands some knees on the ground. Finally, Taylor lands in Hieron's guard. Something different, I guess. Hieron gets back up. Taylor tries for three straight takedowns, and Hieron stuffs them all. Hieron back in Taylor's guard. They get back up. Taylor looks very tried, and whiffs on a couple of punches. Fights ends with the crowd booing. FanHouse scores the second round 10-9 in favor of Hieron.
Carano vs. Cyborg
Cris Cyborg punches Gina Carano in the face at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gina Carano's leg gets caught by Cris Cyborg at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 15: Cris Cyborg (L) battles Gina Carano during their Middleweight Championship fight at Stikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg on August 15, 2009 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Jon Kopaloff, Getty Images
Gina Carano punches Cris Cyborg in the face at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 15: Cris Cyborg (R) battles Gina Carano during their Middleweight Championship fight at Stikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg on August 15, 2009 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Jon Kopaloff, Getty Images
Cris "Cyborg" Santos, of Brazil, top, punches Gina Carano in a Strikeforce mixed martial arts Female Middleweight Championship match on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. Santos won by TKO in the first round to win the championship. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jeff Chiu, AP
SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 15: Cris Cyborg (Top) battles Gina Carano during their Middleweight Championship fight at Stikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg on August 15, 2009 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Jon Kopaloff, Getty Images
Cris "Cyborg" Santos, of Brazil, celebrates after beating Gina Carano in a Strikeforce mixed martial arts Female Middleweight Championship match on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. Santos won by TKO in the first round to win the championship. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)Cris "Cyborg" Santos, of Brazil, celebrates after beating Gina Carano in a Strikeforce mixed martial arts Female Middleweight Championship match on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, Calif. Santos won by TKO in the first round to win the championship. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jeff Chiu, AP
Cris Cyborg celebrates her victory over Gina Carano to win the Strikeforce title on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gegard Mousasi dominates the fight against Babalu Sobral, winning the fight in one minute at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
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