UFC 131 is in the books and the Dallas Mavericks have just won the NBA championship, but the
MMA community and city of Dallas will be shifting its attention to the next huge Zuffa event, this Saturday night at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum.
Bleacher Report is here with information and predictions for each of the 10 fights on this important Strikeforce card.
Though some of the fighters on this big event are not as well known to the casual fan, the highly anticipated Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament will be continuing in both the main event and semi-main event.
Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum and Brett Rogers vs. Josh Barnett will be competing in quarterfinals fights.
Also making his Strikeforce debut in Dallas will be veteran fighter and former UFC No. 1 contender, Jeff “The Snowman” Monson as he faces up-and-comer Daniel Cormier.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum fight card!
Brian Melancon vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Brian Melancon (5-1)
Height: Unknown
Weight: 155 pounds
Wins: 3 knockout, 1 submission, 1 decision
Losses: 0 knockout, 0 submission, 1 decision
Isaac Vallie-Flag (11-3-1)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 155 pounds
Wins: 5 knockouts, 3 submissions, 3 decisions
Losses: 0 knockouts, 3 submissions, 0 decisions
Fight Information:
The lightweight opener at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum will feature the Strikeforce debuts of both Brian Melancon and Isaac Vallie-Flag.
Vallie-Flagg, a member of Jackson’s
MMA, has been fighting since his debut in 2003. His is yet to make an appearance in a national organization, but has now avoided losses in nine straight fights. His most recent loss came all the way back in July 2007.
Melancon is a younger fighter who debuted in 2009, but has already put together an impressive 5-1 career record in the sport. Four of his five victories have come by way of punches (including one due to submission from punches).
Fight Prediction:
Brian Melancon has only fought once on a national level, at Bellator 20 when he lost to Adam Schindler by unanimous decision. It was an exciting back-and-forth slugfest, but Melacon did show a potential chink in his armor by being clipped a few times.
While he did recover and make it to a decision, he was largely dominated through the fight and did not look to be particularly technically gifted.
It is because of Melancon’s lack of experience and wild style that I will be taking the more experienced Isaac Vallie-Flag to grind out a decision in this one.
Isaac Vallie-Flag by Decision