Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy Staff Predictions

Saturday, July 14th at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT on Showtime
Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, USA

Main Card (Showtime)

Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy (Middleweight Championship Bout
Mike Bohn: The combination of Luke Rockhold’s length, speed and superior striking is going to be too much for Tim Kennedy to handle. Kennedy’s only hope is brining the fight to the ground and trying to outwrestle Rockhold, but even that sounds like a tall order against a fighter with Rockhold’s skill set. The champion will retain his belt by outpointing Kennedy over five hard-fought rounds. Luke Rockhold via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow: Luke Rockhold via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson: To me, Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy is about as close of a matchup that you can get. This will be a a very close fight that will show off the versatility of each of these fighters. In the end it will come down to the judges. Luke Rockhold via Split Decision

Patrick Weafer: Tim Kennedy is a warrior in every sense of the word but I believe Luke Rockhold has really hit his stride and will be the more technical fighter in this matchup. Luke Rockhold via Unanimous Decision

Doug Ancey: Don’t get me wrong, I love Tim Kennedy. He’s tough as nails, versatile, and hilarious to boot. That said, I really don’t see how he can beat Rockhold. I get that anything can happen in fights, but Rockhold is too big, and to sharp. I see Rockhold using his explosive striking attack to give Tim Kennedy fits. He’s not going to worry about Kennedy’s wrestling because his ground game is excellent, which he uses equally well offensively and defensively. Look for Rockhold to keep the fight standing and pick Kennedy apart. Luke Rockhold via TKO – R3

Tyron Woodley vs. Nate Marquardt (Welterweight Championship Bout)
Mike Bohn: Tyron Woodley is going to do to the sam to Nate Marquardt as he does everyone else. Get the fight to the ground and grind out a decision. Marquardt has the more well-rounded skill set on paper, but the fact he has not competed in 16 months and is cutting to welterweight for the first time are two things that prevent me from picking him. Tyron Woodley via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow: Nate Marquardt via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson: Nate Marquardt via Unanimous Decision

Patrick Weafer: Woodley’s talent seems limitless but what is holding him back is his aversion to doing anything other than remaining in his opponent’s guard when it hits the floor. Marquardt will be a good test for Woodley but I think Tyron remains undefeated here. Tyron Woodley via Unanimous Decision

Doug Ancey: I’m taking Marquardt. Woodley is talented, but I think he’s last fight with Jordan Mein exposed some holes in his game. Nate has a huge advantage in experience, and has faced a who’s who list of killers, besting the majority of them. I think Marquardt is to well rounded, and has the skills to control where the fight goes, implementing his game plan over Woodley’s. Woodley’s is capable of locking up a submission, but I see those odds as slim to none on a BJJ black belt in Nate Marquardt. Nate Marquardt via Unanimous Decision

Robbie Lawler vs. Lorenz Larkin (Middleweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: Robbie Lawler vs. Lorenz Larkin should be an all-out war. There is no telling how Larkin’s power and stamina will carry over in his drop to the middleweight division. We already know a lot about how well Lawler can perform at the weight class and he is far more experienced that Larkin. With that said, Lawler should be able to take this. Robbie Lawler via TKO – R2

Jon Gerow: Robbie Lawlor via KO – R1

Erik Jackson: Robbie Lawler via TKO – R2

Patrick Weafer: Lawler the brawler is a baller. Always entertaining and possesses some of the most powerful hands in the middleweight division. I’m hoping he throws some heavy leather and drowns “The Monsoon”. Robbie Lawler via KO – R2

Doug Ancey: Hooray for slug-fests! This is a pick-em fight for me, either dude can connect and end it. I’m gonna pick Larkin. I thought he was too small for light-heavyweight and the weight cut will benefit him in the speed department. Lawler likes to be exciting, which is awesome, but it leaves him open and has cost him in the past. I see Larkin’s boxing background serving as an advantage here. Lorenz Larkin via TKO – R2

Keith Jardine vs. Roger Gracie (Middleweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: From the sounds of it, Roger Gracie had an extremely tough first cut down to the middleweight division. That’s bad news. Keith Jardine is an underrated grappler and has never been submitted in 29 professional fights. Jardine should be able to keep the fight standing and pick his shots, eventually stopping Gracie in the second round. Keith Jardine via TKO – R2

Jon Gerow: Roger Gracie via Submission – R2

Erik Jackson: Keith Jardine via Unanimous Decision

Patrick Weafer: As much as I would like to see Keith do well and get a win streak together, I think Roger has the ability to get this one to the ground and end it. Roger Gracie via submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – R2

Doug Ancey: Roger Gracie all the way. Keith Jardine is a shell of his former self and once Roger get this to the mat I think he’ll make quick work of “The Dean of Mean.” Look for Roger to do what the Gracie’s do best. Roger Gracie via Submission – R1