MMA Fighting - Marquardt vs. Saffiedine Resultshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52789/mma_minimal_navy..jpg2013-01-13T01:14:01-05:00http://www.mmafighting.com/rss/stream/36351552013-01-13T01:14:01-05:002013-01-13T01:14:01-05:00Saffiedine becomes new welterweight champion
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<figcaption>Esther Lin, Showtime</figcaption>
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<p>In a fitting narrative to the end of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a>, a fighter who worked his way up from the ranks of the Challenger shows managed to become the welterweight champion in the final event in the organization's existence. in the main event of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/115927/strikeforce-marquardt-vs-saffiedine">Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine</a>, underdog <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/128881/tarec-saffiedine">Tarec Saffiedine</a> battered <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122561/nate-marquardt">Nate Marquardt</a> over five rounds to become the new and final Strikeforce welterweight champion. The judges all scored it in favor of Saffiedine 48-47, 49-46, 49-46.</p>
<p>While Saffiedine never truly had Marquardt in major trouble, he controlled the tempo and distance throughout the fight.</p>
<p>The first round was mostly a feeling out period, but even early Saffiedine was able to land effective counter strikes, mixing up punches and kicks in combination strikes. When he opted to single shot, he countered Marquardt, even dropping the former UFC middleweight for a moment with a right cross.</p>
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<p>By the second and third rounds, Marquardt sought out the takedown, hoping for a different complexion to the fight. Saffiedine used superb single leg takedown defense to thwart Marquardt's attempts. The middle frames is when the Team Quest product began to pour on the leg kicks, a tactic which would pay immediate dividends as well as define the championship rounds.<br><br>By the fourth and fifth rounds, Saffiedine went more aggressive and battered the visibly limp and purplish lead leg of Marquardt. The former UFC middleweight attempted to throw punches and even catch Saffiedine's kicks, but to no avail.</p>
<p>After being announced the winner, Saffiedine could barely absorb the moment. "You know, I've been training so hard for so long. My kicks are one of my best weapons and I trained that a lot in training, so that was kind of the gameplan."</p>
<p>While no official announcement has been made, the win all but assures Saffiedine future's in the UFC.</p>
<p>"It's unbeliable," Saffiedine said of the moment. "I can't iamgine I'm wearing the belt right now. It's unreal."</p>
<p>Saffiedine finishes his Strikeforce run with a record of 6-1. He moves to 14-3 overall in his MMA career.</p>
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https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/13/3871268/strikeforce-results-tarec-saffiedine-out-duels-nate-marquardt-becomesLuke Thomas2013-01-12T23:27:46-05:002013-01-12T23:27:46-05:00Cormier TKOs Staring in one-sided beating
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<figcaption>Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The bout went a little longer than most expected, but the complexion of the fight went as everyone thought it would. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a> heavyweight grand prix champion and two-time Olympian <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/128882/daniel-cormier">Daniel Cormier</a> TKO'd <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/164060/dion-staring">Dion Staring</a> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/115927/strikeforce-marquardt-vs-saffiedine">Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine</a>. The end came at 4:02 of round two as referee 'Big' John McCarthy had seen enough of Staring take abuse as he rolled to avoid punishment, but offered positively no offense and porous defense.</p>
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<p>The fight went exactly as Cormier wanted it to. In the first round, Cormier only missed on one takedown attempt, scoring on everything else including punches at range, takedowns, ground and pound and much more. In the second, it was more of the same. After a second takedown and significant riding time, Cormier pounded out Staring into the TKO finish.</p>
<p>Perhaps most notably, Cormier revealed to Showtime commentator <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/131795/pat-miletich">Pat Miletich</a> he had signed his UFC contract and is set to face former UFC heavyweight champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122495/frank-mir">Frank Mir</a> at UFC on FOX 7. "Right now, I'm telling you. April 20 on FOX. I signed my UFC contract. Frank Mir, you and me. Let's do it."</p>
<p>When prompted again by Miletich to declare his plans in relation to UFC light heavyweight champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122514/jon-jones">Jon Jones</a>, Cormier was equally committal. "I'm going to let Jon Jones defend his belt on April 27th and then I'm going to kick his ass in the fall," he said.</p>
<p>Cormier finishes his Strikeforce run 6-0 in the organization and 11-0 in professional MMA.</p>
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https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/12/3871192/strikeforce-results-daniel-cormier-stops-dion-staring-after-one-sidedLuke Thomas2013-01-12T23:02:27-05:002013-01-12T23:02:27-05:00Barnett dismantles and submits Guelmino
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<figcaption>Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>What everyone thought was going to happen, well, happened. Former UFC heavyweight champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129198/josh-barnett">Josh Barnett</a> positively ran through <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/182423/nandor-guelmino">Nandor Guelmino</a> on Saturday at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/115927/strikeforce-marquardt-vs-saffiedine">Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine</a> in Oklahoma City, Ok.</p>
<p>From the moment the bell sounded, Barnett - who had been battling the flu - got right to work. He charged across the cage, clinched with Guelmino and took him right to the mat. To Guelmino's credit, he was able to establish guard. Barnett stood up and sat back for an ankle lock, but Guelmino was able to fight out of it.</p>
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<p>That didn't last long.</p>
<p>Another trip takedown from Barnett not only planted Guelmino on the mat, but placed Barnett directly in mount. From there he almost automatically locked up the head and arm triangle.</p>
<p>The tape came 2:11 of round 1.</p>
<p>Barnett moves to 32-6 in professional MMA and 3-1 in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a>.</p>
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https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/12/3871140/strikeforce-results-josh-barnett-makes-quick-work-of-nandor-guelminoLuke Thomas2013-01-12T22:49:30-05:002013-01-12T22:49:30-05:00Mousasi submits Kyle after slow start in the first
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<figcaption>Daniel Herbertson, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't a rip roaring beginning, but the finish was unequivocal. The former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a> light heavyweight champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122517/gegard-mousasi">Gegard Mousasi</a> submitted <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127160/mike-kyle">Mike Kyle</a> at 4:09 of the first round at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/115927/strikeforce-marquardt-vs-saffiedine">Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine</a> in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Saturday night.</p>
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<p>The two began striking, but Mousasi seemed lethargic and unable to land with either authority or precision. While Kyle wasn't able to land at will, he did get the better of Mousasi in several early exchanges along the fence.</p>
<p>Eventually, however, Mousasi used a scoop double to plant Kyle on the mat. From there it was the beginning of the end as he eventually passed to mount. Once in the highly advantageous position, Mousasi pounded on Kyle to force the AKA product to turn belly down. Mousasi then sunk the rear-naked choke, forcing the tap with less than a minute in the round.</p>
<p>Mousasi moves to 33-3-2 in professional MMA and 4-1-1- in Strikeforce.</p>
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https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/12/3871080/strikeforce-results-gegard-mousasi-starts-slow-but-finishes-mike-kyleLuke Thomas2013-01-12T22:30:06-05:002013-01-12T22:30:06-05:00'Jacare' submits Herman in the first
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<figcaption>Esther Lin, Strikeforce</figcaption>
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<p>Maybe the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a> fighters will have a lot of success in the UFC. It took <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129158/ronaldo-souza">Ronaldo Souza</a> all of 3:10 to get past UFC middleweight <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129943/ed-herman">Ed Herman</a>, stopping 'The Ultimate Fighter' (TUF) veteran with a kimura submission at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/115927/strikeforce-marquardt-vs-saffiedine">Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine</a> in Oklahoma City, Ok. on Saturday night.</p>
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<p>The round began with both fighters feeling each other out and Jacare getting the early takedown. As Jacare fended off an ankle lock attempt from Herman, he moved back into Herman's guard. Inadvertently, Herman landed an illegal upkick, but the referee strangely stood them up afterward after warning Herman of the foul.</p>
<p>The Brazilian didn't let it stop him as he used a front kick to the face and right hook combo to stun and back Herman up. A follow-up double leg scoop sent Herman to the mat with Jacare in side control. From there it was the beginning of the end as Jacare locked up the kimura to get the tap.</p>
<p>Souza moves to 17-3-1 in professional MMA and 7-1 in Strikeforce.</p>
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https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/12/3871004/strikeforce-results-jacare-easily-submits-ed-herman-in-the-first-roundLuke Thomas2013-01-12T21:59:42-05:002013-01-12T21:59:42-05:00Couture gets controversial win over Noons
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<figcaption>Greg Bartram-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>In the final bout of the preliminary card at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/115927/strikeforce-marquardt-vs-saffiedine">Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine</a>, it was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129217/ryan-couture">Ryan Couture</a> who edged out his competitor, albeit in very controversial fashion. Couture took a split decision, earning 29-28 on two judges' scorecards. The other judge scored it 30-27 in favor of Noons.</p>
<p>Preliminary numbers from CompuBox also suggest Noons should be regarded as the rightful winner. Noons landed twice as many power strikes as Couture in addition to landing more strikes overall. Noons also stuffed all of Couture's takedown attempts and even is credited with a knockdown.</p>
<p>No matter how one scores the fight, however, the action was undeniable.</p>
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<p>The bout began with Noons stalking in the center while Couture moved around the outside. Noons looked early to the uppercut with no set-up, but couldn't quite find the mark as needed. Couture used good movement and even landed a few knees to the body of Noons. The round ended with Couture landing a spinning back kick to the chest of Noons, but slipping, which allowed Noons to fire a knee to Couture's jaw as he retreated.</p>
<p>In the second is where matters got hairy for Couture. As soon as the round began, Noons seemed more comfortable despite an accidental headbutt cutting open his forehead. It was soon thereafter an angry Noons hurt Couture with a series of power hand strikes. Noons tried desperately to finished Couture and appeared as if he was one or two punches away from doing so, but Couture covered up and hung on</p>
<p>Round three saw Couture being more active if ineffective. Noons was still able to land hard power shots, but nothing similar to the devastating strikes in the second round. Couture fired several good knees to the ribs of Noons, but wasn't able to slow him down.</p>
<p>The win brings Couture's record to 6-1, all of which took place under the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a> banner. Noons moves to 11-6 in professional MMA, having lost four of his last five fights. He is 4-4 in the Strikeforce organization.</p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/12/3870834/strikeforce-results-ryan-couture-split-decisions-k-j-noons-despiteLuke Thomas2013-01-11T12:59:08-05:002013-01-11T12:59:08-05:00Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine breakdown
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<figcaption>Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>After seemingly being forced out of the UFC forever in 2011, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122561/nate-marquardt">Nate Marquardt</a> is likely one win away from a return engagement in the promotion. The current <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a> champion is a 3-to-1 favorite to beat <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/128881/tarec-saffiedine">Tarec Saffiedine</a> in Saturday night's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/115927/strikeforce-marquardt-vs-saffiedine">Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine</a> main event.<br><br>The organization's swan song has put many fighters in limbo, and Saffiedine is one of them. The challenger said during a Thursday media interview that he had been offered no guarantee that he would be brought into the UFC after Saturday night, raising the stakes far past being the last-ever divisional champion in the promotion's final fight.<br><br>Saffiedine (13-3) will offer Marquardt his sternest test in the standup department, where he uses footwork, angles and a diverse set of strikes in an unpredictable attack that is centered around patience. He will often wait for his opponent to come forward before beginning his own movement and uses an economy of motion in executing his strikes. He is also quite graceful and creative, occasionally unleashing unusual combinations that are rarely seen, or utilizing strikes in unexpected scenarios. <br><br>One of the keys to Saffiedine's striking success is his balance. He does not overextend himself attempting to land knockout blows, and he keeps his form throughout the action, which often means he gets the best of exchanges when opponents start swinging wildly. <br><br>On the down side, Saffiedine has never displayed fight-stopping power, with only one career knockout among his win total. That could be a major problem against the rugged and hard-charging Marquardt, who is as well-rounded as they come and has savaged opponents from nearly every conceivable position.<br><br>Marquardt's longtime success has been centered around his ability to overwhelm opponents anywhere. <br><br>Consider these career facts about Marquardt, culled by FightMetric:</p>
<p>* he's accurately landed 53 percent of his career while only absorbing 37 percent of the strikes against him<br>* he's landed almost twice as many strikes per minute as his opponent (2.82 to 1.47)<br>* he's scored 72 percent of his takedown tries and has only been taken down on 27 percent of the tries against him</p>
<p>Now keep in mind that those gaudy numbers were almost exclusively achieved against middleweights. Now 33, Marquardt made the move down to welterweight and put on a jaw-dropping performance against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122957/tyron-woodley">Tyron Woodley</a> last July.<br><br>When Marquardt steps into the cage against Saffiedine, he'll be demonstrably the bigger man. At 6 feet tall, he's about two inches taller. He also boasts a reach advantage of nearly four inches, and he's likely cutting far more weight.<br><br>While Marquardt (32-10-2) has in recent years become more of a power puncher, he really made his name as a submission grappler, and has since risen to the rank of a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He has 15 of his career wins via tapout, and comes to life with his aggression in scrambles. Given his prowess in those arenas, it seems likely that Saffiedine will want to avoid the grappling aspect of the fight as much as possible.<br><br>Saffiediene may have the ability to do it. So far to date, he boasts a takedown defense rate of 86 percent, an excellent number. But he was taken down three times in a loss to Tyron Woodley, and I would offer that despite Woodley's strong collegiate wrestling credentials, Marquardt has proven to be a better offensive MMA wrestler than him. <br><br>That said, I'm not quite convinced that Marquardt will make any extensive attempts to bring the fight to the ground, confident that at 170, his striking power and arsenal can overcome any technique Saffiediene throws at him.<br><br>In looking over Saffiedine's history, it's also quite glaring that he's never faced a single fighter who has been a top 10 divisional threat. Woodley is his most decorated opponent, and that's a fight Saffiedine lost by unanimous decision after failing to shut down Woodley's wrestling game. Aside from that, his last three fights were with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122960/scott-smith">Scott Smith</a>, Tyler Stinson and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/123083/roger-bowling">Roger Bowling</a>. Contrast that with Marquardt, who has an abundance of big-fight experience with names like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122568/anderson-silva">Anderson Silva</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122560/demian-maia">Demian Maia</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122570/chael-sonnen">Chael Sonnen</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122563/yushin-okami">Yushin Okami</a>, and you can see the jump that Saffiedine is making in this bout.<br><br>Saffiedine's striking is good enough to challenge Marquardt for stretches, but in a five-round fight, expect to see the champion's physicality bend the fight into his image. Saffiedine has never been knocked out, and if he can survive 25 minutes with the ferocious Marquardt, he will have surpassed any reasonable expectation in a tough style matchup. But given Marquardt's ability to craft a fight style to his liking, I'm going with him over the patient Belgian via third-round TKO.</p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/11/3866160/strikeforce-main-event-breakdown-nate-marquardt-vs-tarec-saffiedineMike Chiappetta