<img src=http://www.mmaspot.net/mmaspot/files/image/fighterprofiles/MikeKyle.jpg>

  At Strikeforce:Houston the carouselof light-heavyweight champions continued as one dimensional champion King Mo lost to Rafael Cavalcante by tko in the 3rd stanza. The fight showed why a striker with good enough takedown defense will nullify any good wrestler. The sport since, its mainstream inception in 1993 has proven that with training even the great one dimensional fighters are null.

 Strikeforce in my perception should be a place of opportunity where \future stars and stars looking for a rebound should be given a chance. Werdum was given a chance and knocked off Antonio Silva and Fedor/ Dan Henderson was given a shot at the Middleweight gold against Jake Shields because, of his past laurels. Mike Kyle has rejuvenated his career and life as a light-heavyweight.

 The former UFC heavyweight veteran has competed in almost every major promotion over the past 9 years accumulating a respectable 17-7-1 record. His most notable wins include James Irvin, Wes Sims, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka and reigning light-heavyweight champion Rafael Cavalcante. He went 2-1 in the UFC and was a highly touted fixture in the then weak UFC heavyweight division. Then unexpectedly left for unknown reasons to Pancrase where he defeated TK. He then fought Krysztof Soszynski at Strikeforce:Shamrock vs. Gracie where he was in a draw after his thumb hit current UFC light-heavyweight contender Krysztof Soszynski. Kyle was 1-3-1 and needed a jolt to keep afloat. After defeating some relative unknowns in the IFC and JG&TKT Promotions he moved down to light-heavyweight to fight the current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion "Fejao" where he won by TKO. Kyle, adjusting to light heavyweight took a heavyweight fight against Fabricio Werdum in a losing effort.

 Kyle, looking for his place fought outside Strikeforce going 3-0-1 with notable wins against Jon Murphy, Tony Lopez and a draw with Travis Wuiff. Kyle, returned to light heavyweight against Abongo Humphrey winning by rear naked choke.

 The talk right now is light heavyweight contender Babalu Sobral will face Cavalcante after his number 1 contender shot win against Robbie Lawler. I think when Babalu refused to fight King Mo at Strikeforce:Houston allowing Fejao the shot he threw his shot away. Mike Kyle is 4-0-1 in his past 5 fights and is the current King of the Cage light-heavyweight champion. If Babalu can wait to see what happens with Fejao and King Mo then he should wait again because, fighters fight whomever is the champion in my opinion.

  This past year Strikeforce made the 1st big steal between UFC/Strikeforce when they stole top middleweight Dan Henderson from the UFC. The move gave Strikeforce much needed publicity when M-1 Global/Fedor were holding out after one fight. Many rumors circled around that then current MW champion Jake Shields was leaving after his  last contracted fight. Strikeforce thought Henderson was going to beat Shields and hold the belt to avoid an embarassing mess. At Strikeforce:Nashville, the MMA world was in shock as Jake Shields withstood a beatdown in the 1st round to win 4 rounds against Henderson and retained the belt. Then in post-fight interview MTV's bully beatdown host Mayhem Miller crashed the party to build a possible rematch with Shields. Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz and Gilbert melendez were the bullys beating down Miller thus, embarassing Strikeforce in front of a national audience. The divisions past two champions have basically bailed on the gold. Lets examine the current middleweights to see who fits where.

-Dan Henderson: At one time Henderson was the only man to hold two titles in two different weight classes. Then he came to defend his belts at UFC At UFC 75 against reigning LHW champion Pampage Jackson. Jackson, became the undisputed LHW champion in a one sided fight. At UFC 82 Henderson would get choked out by reigning MW champion Anderson Silva losing both his belts. Henderson would then beat Palhares, Franklin and KO'd Bisping before a contract dispute with UFC. He left for Strikefocre lights and was outwrestled by the younger champ Jake Shields. Does Henderson move up in weight or try again at getting MW gold?

-Tim Kennedy: Currently, one of the contenders fighting at Strikeforce:Houston for the vacant MW title. The former marine is fighting Ronaldo Souza because, tournaments are not allowed in Texas according to Scott Coker. Kennedy, has stopped his last four opponents and has shown range with two two KO's from strikes and two submissions. He last beat elite wrestler Trevor Prangley at Strikeforce:LA. Is Kennedy a good contender or the product of a tournament not being available?

-Cunbg Le:  the 7-1 talented Cung Le is coming off a KO over Scott Smith. Before, Strikeforce:Evolution Cung Le was 6-0 and looked like something out of a kung fu movie. He had lethal kicks and crisp striking. His ground has not been shown as of yet but, he hasn't needed it.  At age 38 the late bloomer maybe out of gas which is a shame because, he is talented. Has Cung Le's run finished or is he still viable?

-Ronaldo Souza: The double black belt in Judo and BJJ is the man who stands in the way of Tim Kennedy's mission of MW supremacy. The talented brazilian is coming of impressive wins over Joey Villasenor and Matt Lindland. With only two loses that were 8 years apart Souza, has done the only right thing in MMA, WIN. Can Souza beat Kennedy or will he taste a american ass hoppin'?.

-Robbie Lawler: The Miletich product has been a very successful fighter throughout his career. A havey handed boxer with decent enough wrestling to keep a fight on its feet. At Strikeforce:LA he lost to Babalu at a catchweight of 195lbs which the winner gets a shot at their respective divisioins gold. At Strikeforce:Miami, Lawler survived brutal leg kicks to one punch K-! striker Melvin Manhoef in devastating fashion. Does Lawler still have it to be the champion or has time passed him?.

   The MW division in MMA is stacked as the biggest prize in the pool of new faces in Bellator's Hector Lombard. The lure of bigger paydays may drive him to choose one sooner then later. With the working bond of  japan/K-1 with Strikeforce the fights at 185lb are endless and a strong point with the brand.

   The Strikeforce brand is in a pivotal state as it tries to put together a complete roster while, maintaining business as it progresses. Now, with main draws Fedor/Werdum/Henderson/Overeem without any direct plans the slim pickings are being scraped to put together shows. As it stands today, the Light-Heavyweight division is led by Champion King Mo, former champion Gegard Mousasi and number 1 contender Renato Sobral.

   At Strikeforce:Nashville we saw King Mo defeat Ex M-1 star pupil Gegard Mousasi by unanimous decision to obtain the Strikeforce LHW strap. The fight though close gave Strikeforce a new star that was as entertaining as he is talented. King Mo did not waste any time in forging his place amongst the world elite. A very large light-heavyweight whose even fought at heavyweight holds wins over UFC vets Mark Kerr and Mike Whitehead. At only 29, King Mo has years to expand his game to match his dominant wrestling. 

   The supposed evil M-1 Global brand once held the rights to two mysterious characters of mma. There was heavyweight living legend Fedor and there was talented Gegard Mousasi. Mousasi, enjoyed the praise from mma hardcores who pointed him as "baby fedor" even though he held some defeats before Strikeforce: Nashville. Mousasi made head waves when he sliced though Babalu like a knife into butter. Mousasi, even in losing to Mo proved he is not far off from being a top ten p4p or the champion again. Many think he was an undersized LHW who could make MW and maybe he will take the advice.

   Ah yes, the current number 1 contender Renato Sobral, a man who has chosen not to contend against King Mo because, he doesn't want to fight a friend. This issue makes me sick in MMA evrytime its spoken about. I understand its not Eli vs. peyton becasue its a brutal sport but, its a sport. You can't pick and choose your fights as you like because, champions don't do that. If Rich Franklin can go into anderson silvas locker room after getting destroyed then you can battle your friend for gold. The other point in which i disagree with Babalu being the number 1 contender was the fact he earned it in a 195lb catchweight fight with Lawler. I think Babalu is good and still could compete in the UFC but, he comes off like he's amongst the worlds best.

  Strikefroce should drop the division becuase, in reality there are hardly any viable 205lbers outside to bring in and hardly any 205lbers within their division. As good as King Mo is, He will find it hard to find profitable gains as a light-heavyweight 

   The MMA community is up in arms over the viability of Stikeforce and how their business is handed. They have a good talent pool though, not elite on average as the UFC. Their heavyweight division is basically 6 people, their light-heavyweight/middleweight contender match of babalu vs. lawler was fought at 195lbs. The welterweight division is headlined by two headcases in Nick Diaz and Paul Daley. Their lightweight division is pretty non-existant while, their womens division is anchored by a beast Cyborg Santos. These are sticking issues but, not all bad ones to have. The UFC took years and a major buy to produce the best fighters on its roister so, we should be patient.

  Lets look the heavyweight division as in most cases in North America is the main draw for MMA. The champion is Alistair Overeem, a kickboxing monster whose defended the belt once in two years against Brett Rogers. The problem with the defense was not that Rogers had it but, the fact he got after a loss to Fedor. The fight proved that Overeem is far beater then Rogers and that Rogers was thrown to the wolves twice. If you watch Rogers earlier fights you'd seen that his competition was so lacklustre that some wore rash guards to hide their figure or there lack of. Overeem who now seems determined to make a splash in N.America is the real deal while Rogers, is good but, has had some tough tough fights.

   The Fedor/M-1 Saga is at best rediculous to follow and embarassing for Scott Coker. The MMA world was shocked to hear Fedor turn down millions from the UFC to see him take Strikeforce to build M-1. Fedor came in and had an excelent fight with Rogers that ended with a highlight reel KO of Rogers that quiet the doubters. Fedor then went into demanding more mode thus, costing the Overeem fight. Fedor came back in July to challenge BBJ black belt Fabricio Werdum, a former UFC cast-off. Nobody, questioned the talent of Werdum but, it was shown by Dos Santos/Arlovski that his achilles heel was strikers. Now, Fedor is not an extremely crisp striker but, hits like a sledgehammer. The MMAMANIA boards lit with one word respnses a little minute over in the 1st round of "holy shit", "wow" ect ect. Fedor after not being beat without issue for 33 bouts was tapped. The Fedor tap was symbolic as it was a soft little slap because, he knew it was over. Is Fedor still a top 10, yes but, he was no more the enigma. Fabricio Werdum became a star while, Fedor head low walked backed into his shadow he lives in. Maybe, just maybe M-1 global is thinking the UFC is must now.

  After fedor and Overeem the rest of the division even with a werdum win over Fedor is slim. You have Fabricio Werdum,Antonio Silva, Brett Rogers,Andrei Arlovski, Bobby Lashley, Herschel Walker and now as it appears Batista. The pickings are slim and this is a problem with heavyweights in mma just look at Bellator. The UFC has 10 good hw's and then again only 5 are really elite anymore and win 2 out of 3 times. To me the true strikeforce heavyweight division is Overeem,Fedor,Werdum,Silva, Rogers, Lashley...i know what your thinking(lol).

Next time Strikeforce light-heavyweights