Strikeforce Live Blog: Ronaldo Souza vs. Bristol Marunde Updates

This is the Strikeforce live blog for Ronaldo Souza vs. Bristol Marunde, a middleweight bout on tonight's Strikeforce card from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Souza (14-3) is coming off a fight where he lost his Strikeforce middleweight title to Luke Rockhold. Marunde (12-6), who is making his Strikeforce debut, has won his last four fights.

The live blog of this fight is below.

Round 1: Both fighters open orthodox with Jacare taking center cage. The two clinch and exchange hard body strikes and uppercuts, but nothing lands cleanly. Jacare clinches, lands a knee up the middle, a hard right hand and manages to take Marunde's back standing. Jacare now working the back while Marunde is on all fours. Jacare peppering Marunde with shots while referee Keith Peterson stands them up. He warns Jacare for punches to the back of the head. As they resume, Marunde eats a monster right hand that sends him crashing to the mat. Jacare attempts a guillotine from on top, but can't get it. Jacare is back on Marunde's back, though for now with no hooks in. Marunde stands, pummels in and now the two are clinched against the fence with Marunde pressing in.

MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Souza

Round 2: Marunde jabs and Jacare slips. Marunde charges in and lands a glancing hook. Jacare wobbles Marunde with a left hook and nearly lands a turning side kick until the two clinch. Jacare briefly takes Marunde's back as he drags him to the floor, but Marunde quickly stands. Marunde occasionally switching stances, but never throws southpaw. Jacare lands a knee after a brief clinch and backs out. Left hook to the body from Jacare lands hard. Jacare doubles on the jab, but eats a hard outside leg kick. Jacare times a monster power double just before the end of the round.

MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Souza

Round 3: Jacare grabs a leg and trips the post of Marunde, pulling him to the floor. Marunde nearly stands, but Jacare drags him back down. On the second stanza on the ground, Jacare locks up the head and arm triangle, albeit from half guard. It's still enough to get the job done. Marunde taps.

Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey results: Ronaldo Souza defeats Bristol Marunde by submission (head and arm triangle) at 2:43 of round 3.