Strikeforce round-by-round coverage
Main card
Heavyweight bout: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson
Fedor and Henderson start out throwing wild and neither is stopping to take a breath. Henderson gets the clinch against the cage and the crowd is going crazy. The pop for Fedor was deafening; you could barely hear ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. over him. Henderson presses Fedor against the cagem throwing knees. Henderson almost trips him down but Fedor grabs the cage. He gets a warning from referee Herb Dean. Henderson is going for the trip takedown but Fedor is blocking it.
Henderson breaks and they swing wildly, not connecting. Fedor is controlling the center as Henderson is looking for the big right, throwing leg kicks. Fedor connects but can’t capitalize. Fedor capitalizes and Henderson bucks him aside, THEN FINISHES HIM. Herb Dean stops the fight by strikes.
Dan Henderson defeats Fedor Emelianenko by TKO (punches) at 4:12 of Round 1
Strikeforce women's bantamweight title bout
Marloes Coenen (c) vs. Miesha Tate
Round 1
Tate in control and she presses into Coenen into the fence. Reversal of position by Marloes temporarily, but Tate takes control again on the wall. Big left hook by Coenen. Muay Thai clinch and knee by Coenen, but Tate drives through and holds Coenen against the cage. Tate gets a takedown on the mat and Coenen grabs a deep choke. Tate looks as though she might tap, but fights her way free. Tate in North-South position and quickly over to side control, trying to pass to mount on Coenen. Hammerfists to the belly from Tate on the champion. Tate maintains control of the ground work as the round ends.
10-9 for Tate
Round 2
Both women come out swinging to start the round, with Tate resuming control on the fence. Great transition from Coenen who takes Tate's back on the mat. Coenen has one hook in, but switches it to a body triangle. Elbows and short hooks on Tate from the back position. Tate begins to work free, but Coenen postures up with Tate on her stomach and levels some long punches. Tate begins to work free as the round ends, but doesn't get free.
10-9 for Coenen
Round 3
Leg kick from Coenen is anticipated by Tate, who catches it and drives through for the takedown. In full guard, Tate levels Coenen. Tate remains on top. Coenen is in full guard and stopping most of Tate's offense. Tate stands, threatens to throw a bomb, Coenen goes for a triangle and Tate falls back into her guard. Tate throws a few body shots but the ref stands them up. Coenen lands a hook but Tate plows through it and gets another takedown. They roll up against the cage. Tate stays on top but can't get much going. Tate lands some nice body shots and the round starts to come to a close. Coenen reverses it with about a second to go, not enough to win her the round.
10-9 for Tate
Round 4
First big action of the round comes from Tate, who drives for a big takedown. Coenen tries for a guillotine, but Tate pops her head free. Side control from Tate, but Coenen puts her feet on the cage and tries to walk out. Tate holds her back on the mat. Tate gets a knee on Coenen's body and slides through with an arm triangle. Coenen tries to get her right arm free but has to tap to the choke.
Winner and NEW Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion: Miesha Tate by submission (arm triangle, 3:03)
Middleweight bout: Robbie Lawler vs. Tim Kennedy
Round 1
Lawler is loading up for the big right hand and Kennedy is using distance and side movement to keep him from throwing it. A couple of solid kicks from Kennedy connect as he seems to want throw a high kick but isn't pulling the trigger. An accidental groin shot from Kennedy and Lawler walks it off.
Kennedy comes in with a double-leg and Lawler sprawls out of it. Another from Kennedy spawns a flurry from both. The scramble leaves neither hurt. Both seem to want throw big rights but Kennedy is finally rewarded. Lawler fights him for it but Kennedy manages to get him to the ground but he's scrambling well. He's not allowing Kennedy to keep him there for a while and Lawler eventually escapes. Great bit of grappling there.
Both are stalking each other and Kennedy is rewarded with a takedown and side control. He looks to pass to mount but Lawler manages to get him in half guard. Kennedy gets him into mount but Lawler escapes AGAIN. Lawler eats a big head kick from Kennedy, then a front kick jab combo as the round ends.
Round 2
Kennedy opens up with some leg kicks and Lawler isn't responding. Kennedy goes for a takedown and Lawler grazes him with a big uppercut on the way back up. Kennedy is really using his kickboxing this time to keep the distance, using it to set up his takedowns. Lawler seems content to eat a couple shots to get in close for something big. Kennedy is controlling the cage as Lawler keeps moving backward. Kennedy eats a huge uppercut en route to a takedown attempt, which Lawler defends across the cage fence until winding up in half guard.
Kennedy is cut but postures up and unloads on Lawler for a bit. Lawler seems content to stay in guard and wait it out but Kennedy is posturing up and making him pay for it. Round ends with some hammerfists from Kennedy as Lawler stalls it out on bottom.
Round 3
Crowd shows some love for both fighters.
Lawler is not controlling the position and Kennedy is backing up a bit. Kennedy throws a leg kick to maintain the distance but Lawler backs him into the cage. Kennedy eats a big punch and is staying away from his power. Lawler throws high and misses, Kennedy goes for a takedown and Lawler scrambles out of it. Lawler is really pushing this round as he’s letting his hands go a bit more. Kennedy seems to be content with throwing a low leg kick and avoid the big power shots from Lawler, who is letting Kennedy dictate octagon position more than he was earlier in the round.
Kennedy with a couple jabs to keep it up and Lawler isn’t responding in kind. Kennedy is content to throw leg kicks to the shin and jab. Double-leg takedown and he has half guard, just unloading on Lawler. Round ends with Kennedy on top.
Tim Kennedy defeats Robbie Lawler by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight bout: Paul Daley vs. Tyron Woodley
Round 1
Woodley comes out cautiously, looking to shoot. Daley with the accidental groin shot as Woodley gets time to recover. Woodley is keeping his hands inside and Woodley seems to want to trade with him. He gets him in the clinch against the cage and almost connects with a high knee. Daley is taking some knees to the thigh as Woodley isn't going for the immediate takedown like he was predicted to going into the fight. Daley is also doing a good job keeping Woodley from getting double underhooks, using the cage for good position. The referee breaks it up and we're back apart.
Daley goes wild and Woodley uses it to go for a double, which he changes to underhooks and gets Daley against the cage. Daley gets out after reversing and is watching his distance. Woodley is dropping his hands and Daley charges, getting Woodley against the cage. Woodley reverses and Daley eats some uppercuts to the ribs. They trade position against the cage and the round ends.
Round 2
Daley is controlling the distance as Woodley seems to be respecting his power more. He goes for a takedown which Daley catches into the clinch, but Woodley gets position against the cage. After several knees Woodley is leaning on Daley, not really working. The crowd is responding accordingly. He's trying to go for a trip but Daley isn't buying it, but a quick drag and Woodley gets him down. Daley in full guard and tight with his hands. Woodley doesn't have much room to operate.
Woodley isn't doing much on top as Daley is really holding tight, looking for a standup. Woodley with some light body shots but Daley isn't allowing him to do much. Daley gets near the cage and wall scoots back to his knees, Woodley looking to take back. Daley ends that idea and Daley pulls guard, McCarthy standing them up 20 seconds before round ends. Woodley goes for a double and Daley defends well, then winds up on top in a scramble and hits Woodley several times before the round ends.
Round 3
Woodley comes out looking for the takedown and Daley connects a handful of times. Woodley gets the takedown and holds him there. Daley gets up and connects with a handful of shots of his own. Daley gets the takedown, gets a shoulder lock using his lower body and scrambles back up. Woodley eats some shots and gets the takedown. The fight ends with Daley on his back.
Tyron Woodley defeats Paul Daley by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight bout: Scott Smith vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Round 1
Tarec is keeping his distance, throwing leg kicks and jabs to keep Smith at bay to deal with power he has in his hands. Smith is eating some punishment trying to set up the big right and Tarec is letting him come forward to a point. Smith goes in and gets caught up in the muay thai plum, with Tarec throwing knees to the midsection. He's not working for the takedown, but looking for moments to throw. Smith eats an uppercut and a big right before Tarec backs off. Smith goes for a takedown and winds up against the cage and back into clinch position. Tarec fires off a couple knees and a short elbow before the ref breaks it up.
Both are letting the leg kicks fly to end the round, but both are checking them with forearms.
Round 2
Both exchange with some big shots but Tarec is clearly the aggressor and Smith is again eating some big shots. Smith tries to pull a clinch but Tarec gets away and has Smith's back up against the cage, measuring hit shots. A flying knee attempt by Tarec slightly connects but some devastating elbows in the clinch connect moreso. Tarec goes for the trip weakly but throws some big shots. MASSIVE leg kick and Smith eats some punishment until he goes for a desperation takedown. Tarec blocks and is lying on him. Smith seems to be hurt and gives up his back. Tarec throws some body shots as Smith looks to stand, Tarec goes to rear mount but not completely. Smith gets out and gets him up to the cage, throwing some shots that connect before Tarec circles out to the center. Smith still has his back to the cage, maybe a foot away. Tarec throws a stiff combination and then connects with a head kick again before resuming some more clinch work to end the round.
Round 3
Tarec is controlling the action again, backing Smith to the cage with a big leg kick. Smith wants Tarec to get close to him and isn't pursuing, it seems. Smith's corner was holding up his legs between the round so maybe he doesn't have much left in them. Big head kick and a followup combination from Tarec, again, and he's controlling the cage. Smith is setting up for a big right hand and Tarec is throwing jabs and low leg kicks to keep him at a reasonable distance.
Tarec is still using jabs and straights, with the occasional kick, as Smith is controlling the middle. He's looking to set up a big right hand by how he's holding his hands and Tarec sees this. Smith is getting desperate with more high leg kicks and Tarec is hitting him with jabs. Smith gets desperate, going for a wild kick and a superman punch that both miss. He knows he's lost this fight and is going for a Hail Mary shot to win. Tarec is seeing this and moving away from him. Round ends with Smith throwing wild but not connecting as Tarec moves away.
Tarec Saffiedine defeats Scott Smith by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).
Preliminary card
Lightweight bout: Gesias Cavalcante vs. Bobby Green
Round 1
Both come out with a flurry but neither really connecting. Cavalcante is moving well and goes for the takedown but misses. Cavalcante gets the clinch but Green quickly reverses and works for the high crotch single-leg out of it. Cavalcante is moving well and Green can't get in. Green releases the clinch and we're back in the middle of the cage. Both have connected but not on anything strong, just jabs. Cavalcante is bleeding early on from under the eye. Green is owning the center and gets a thai clinch, hitting a big knee to the head. Green is throwing jabs that are keeping Cavalcante off balance, and he's throwing wild hooks to counter. Goes for the double leg and winds up against the fence.
Cavalcante is controlling the center but not throwing much. Cavalcante connects with a big shot and Green tells us in the media row that it was "nothing." Winds up in the clinch against the cage to end the round.
Round 2
Cavalcante comes out strong and is throwing more jabs. Green is slowing down and Cavalcante is pressing the pace. Cavalcante winds up against the cage as Green goes for a throw from the clinch. Green gets him down and doesn't do much, Cavalcante escapes easy. Cavalcante's pace is quickening as he's throwing more than Green. Cavalcante is throwing more with authority, Green is throwing lighter jabs as Cavalcante is controlling the middle. Cavalcante goes for a wild throwing knee and winds up against the cage, Green reverses quickly.
Cavalcante with the trip takedown and lands in Green's card. Green is keeping him close in guard as Cavalcante can't do much. Cavalcante is trying to get an arm free but Green is holding on tight, working from the bottom to get away. Gets side control and turns it into the mount an unloads, Green gives us his back and Cavalcante gets hooks and then a rear naked choke. Has it on tight but Green holds on survive the round.
Round 3
Green looks gassed in the corner, Cavalcante looks like he's just warming up. Green throws a sloppy uppercut and hook that don't connect. Cavalcante is hitting him with jabs and leg kicks to the thigh. He's controlling the middle as Green is retreating often. He's throwing more and Green looks for the clinch. Cavalcante goes for a double-leg but comes up short, with Green pressing him against the cage. Green has double underhooks on Cavalcante and is kneeing him in the thigh. Cavalcante breaks from the clinch and Green is back to letting Cavalcante dictate standing position. Cavalcante presses him back to the cage and Green reverses to the clinch and gets position against the cage, initially getting the takedown but Cavalcante scrambles back to his feet immediately. Some stalking and Green gets the double, Cavalcante locks in a guillotine tight but Green gets out. Round ends with Cavalcante pulling guard tight.
Gesias Cavalcante defeats Bobby Green by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Welterweight bout: Eduardo Pamplona vs. Tyler Stinson
Round 1
Stinson connects early and then UNLOADS on Pamplona with a flurry. Pamplona gets caught with a massive left hook and goes down. Stinson gets one in before the referee stops it as Pamplona is out.
Tyler Stinson defeats Eduardo Pamplona by TKO at :15 of the first round.
Women's welterweight bout: Alexis Davis vs. Julie Kedzie
Round 1
Davis is the aggressor, not connecting with much at first. Flurry ends with Kedzie against the fence with Davis in the clinch. Working the knees and trying to go for a trip, Davis is keeping her against the fence but Kedzie is landing enough to keep her from being too aggressive. Kedzie gets free but Davis is pushing the fight. Kedzie is on her heels and Davis pushes her against the cage again. Not landing much, going for position. Kedzie pushes her away and eats some shots. Davis clinches against the other side of the cage. Davis is controlling the cage but Kedzie is connecting more in the clinch. Davis is maintaining position but not doing much with it.
Round 2
Davis starts same way she ended the first, pushing Kedzie up against the cage. Kedzie reverses and pulls back, connecting with a couple. Davis responds with a flurry, pushing her against the cage in the clinch again. Not much action. They trade positions and Davis hip-tosses Kedzie to the ground. Kedzie back up quickly with a double leg against the cage. Working a double leg for a while, Kedzie gives it up and gets reversed as Davis gets the clinch again. Davis is working more for the takedown instead of throwing strikes, though, as Kedzie is throwing much higher knees. Kedzie gets off the cage and Davis looks for the throw, Kedzie pulls her back and is against the cage. Davis throws her down and gets the hooks in right as Kedzie is standing. Davis locks in the rear naked choke, Kedzie is going down. Davis has it in tight. Kedzie fights it off and Davis throws punches to the front to finish off the round.
Round 3
Davis is controlling the center but Kedzie is circling well enough to keep away from the cage. Davis eventually catches her and pushes her back into the cage, again. Kedzie pushes her off again but Davis doesn't let go, getting her back to the cage in the clinch again. She's not throwing any punches though, looking for the throw. Kedzie is doing a great job landing in the clinch as Davis isn't doing much with it. Kedzie fights off her back and is going for a takedown but Davis fights it off. Davis puts Kedzie back up against the fence again and hold her there again. Kedzie is throwing high knees but not connecting with any of them.
Alexis Davis defeats Julie Kedzie by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Middleweight bout: Derek Brunson vs. Lumumba Sayers
Round 1:
Slugfest to start. Brunson wins the exchange and takes it to the mat. Moving for some ground and pound and doesn't do much. Sayers escapes and gets slammed back to the mat for his efforts. Gets back to his feet and catches Brunson, then takes the fight to him. Brunson again with the double leg, as Sayers goes for the guillotine but can't lock it in. Sayers behind him and working ... Sayers getting up but Brunson holding him down with the occasional light punch. Sayers back to his feet but can't quite escape. Can't quite get the hooks in the rear and Sayers is back to his feet. He escapes. Brunson catches him but can't capitalize at first. Brunson catches him again and gets another takedown, tripping him backward. Brunson gets a rear mount and a rear naked choke for the win.
Derek Brunson defeats Lumumba Sayers by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:33 of the first round.