ST. LOUIS -- This is the Strikeforce live blog for Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza vs. Joey Villasenor, a middleweight bout on tonight's Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery card.After dismantling Matt Lindland last December, Souza takes on a puncher in Villasenor. Villasenor says he believes this fight will determine the No. 1 contender for the Strikeforce middleweight belt.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Jacare begins by faking as if he's going to change levels and then diving in with an off-balance right hand. Jacare closes the distance and trips Villasenor to the mat, working him over with short right hands from half-guard. The Brazilian easily slips through to full mount and starts hammering Villasenor with punches. Villasenor bucks and actually manages to free himself with a fairly rudimentary escape. A rare mistake on the mat from an overeager Jacare. He wastes no time putting Villasenor down again, then postures up and lands some stiff right hands. Villasenor gets to his feet only to be slammed back down by Jacare. Souza is swarming Villasenor as the round draws to a close. MMA Fighting scores it for Jacare, 10-9.
Round 2: Villasenor looks to get aggressive in the stand-up game to start the second, but this only results in him being taken down once again. Villasenor gets up, only to do back down, and Jacare is quickly into half-guard. Jacare tries to pass to side control and lets Villasenor escape in the process. Nice left hook from Jacare, followed by another takedown. This fight seems to have slipped into a predictable pattern. Villasenor gets to his feet in the final 30 seconds, but he can't get anything going on the feet. MMA Fighting scores the round for Jacare, 10-9.
Round 3: Villasenor explodes forward with a hook that forces Jacare back, but doesn't follow up with anything. Jacare shoots for a takedown and, perhaps for the first time all night, Villasenor avoids it. The tide may be turning now, as Jacare is slowing down and his takedowns aren't as effective. Villasenor tags him with a good right, followed a few moments later by a nice left hook. Jacare responds with -- you guessed it -- a takedown. The referee stands them up with 45 seconds left. Villasenor mounts one last offensive burst, but gets taken down on a flying knee attempt. It looks like Jacare will ride this one out. MMA Fighting scores the round for Jacare, 10-9.
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza def. Joey Villasenor via unanimous decision.
Perhaps due to the language barrier, Strikeforce decides to skip the post-fight interview with the victorious Brazilian.
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