Jacare Souza vs. Robbie Lawler for the Strikeforce Milddleweight Title on Jan. 29th
Posted on December 18, 2010, 11:59 PM by Joey SantosusFresh off a devastating 50-second knockout victory over Matt Lindland in St. Louis earlier this month, Robbie Lawler has reportedly been named next in line to face Middleweight Champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in a bout expected to take place as part of Strikeforce's January 29th card at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
Lawler, the last standing Middleweight champ of the now defunct EliteXC, had hopes of regaining his spot atop the 185lbs. division when Strikeforce announced their intentions to hold a one-night tournament to assign the belt vacated by its former holder Jake Shields. However, due to commission rules, those hopes were dashed and instead a singles bout was held, in which Souza defeated Tim Kennedy to lay claim to the title. Though Lawler has gone 2-2 with the promotion thus far, both wins were by emphatic first round knockout and seem to have impressed the Strikeforce brass enough to earn him the shot after all.
Souza signed with Strikeforce after finding success in Japan's Dream promotion and quickly racked up three straight victories, submitting Lindland in his debut, followed by back to back decision wins over Joey Villasenor and Tim Kennedy. The Team Black House member will look to further cement himself as the promotion's premiere Middleweight when he faces the heavy-handed veteran, who will perhaps be his toughest test to date.
Source: MMAFighting.com
Photo: Esther Lin | Strikeforce
Comments
this should be a good fight. lawler can end it at any time standing. jacare can end it at any time on the ground. if i was jacare, i'd be careful rolling into guard.
Jacare via Sub
I agree...if Jacare can't take Lawler down then he can pull guard n try to sub him, only way Jacare loses this if he comes in with a Lindland gameplan n tries to go toe to toe wit Lawler
I also agree. As long as Jacare stays out of trouble on the feet he should get the win.
wish Miller would fight him.
lawler has been in with loads of decent names, i know he hasnt always won those fights, coming up short against babalu and the quick loss to shields but i wouldnt count him out completely. He has lots of experience and whenever someone faces a guy with ko power then a fight can always change with 1 punch. I think this fight is a nice match . not sure who ill go for, lawler needs to keep it standing for his best chance and jacare will look to take him down and sub him out as i think that jacare's best chance against lawler's weakness.
Lawler via beard asphyxiation
I think Jacare is faster a little and more athletic and will probably sub Lawler but never count out the chance Lawler's bowling ball fists putting someone to sleep
too bad Shield's left before Jacare could beat him up
Jacare has to be careful in this fight or he is going to have a long night
In my opinion, Jacare will only get into trouble if he gases first.
unless strikeforce is putting on mayhem vs diaz next there is no reason why lawler should get the title shot before miller
There is no reason? How has miller earned a title shot? Since losing his last title shot, he's only fought once under the strikeforce beating tim stout. He shouldn't get a title shoy every other fight, just because of a weak mw division. He's also already lossed to jacare. And yes I know he beat an old Sakuraba in his last fight under Dream. If he gets by Kennedy (which Im not sure he will), he should re- new his contract then get a title shot against the winner of lawler-jacare.
well souza got a shot at the title after beating linland and a nobody joey villasenor. and millers beat a nobody and a legend so he should definately get a shot
my last post was @707 btw
and my point was miller just had a strike force title fight and lossed..hes only fought once in strike force since than...that would mean if he got the shot it would be his 2nd title shot in 3 sf fights...does beating tim stout deserve that? And Jacare didnt have any sf title shots before fighting for the vacant belt but did have two sf wins
Joey Villasenor is not a nobody. He has a record of 27-8 with notable wins over Evangelista Cyborg and David Loiseau. He certainly isn't top ten but he is a good fighter.
I thought the same thing