Spencer Kyte of HeavyMMA.com shares ten things we learned from Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva” card.

It would be easy to start this assessment of the news that came out of Saturday’s Strikeforce event talking about Fedor Emelianenko, but that would be a disservice to Antonio Silva.

The massive Brazilian executed a tremendous game plan and showed he belongs in the hunt of the Heavyweight Grand Prix title, working a more technical approach in the opening round and stinging Emelianenko several times before taking him down at the outset of the second frame. From there, Silva put a beating on the iconic Russian, landing hammerfists from mount and cinching in strong chokes a couple different times.

When the round ended, Emelianenko was a mess, his right eye swollen shut and purple welts painting his face, leading the doctor to call an end to the bout. Silva was overjoyed, and showed the utmost respect for his opponent, walking over to kneel at Fedor’s feet before shaking his hand and giving him a kiss on the head.

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HeavyMMA.com writes that Fedor Emelianenko is pondering retirement after losing to Antonio Silva in the Stirkeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament.

We may have seen the legendary Fedor Emelianenko’s fighting career come to an end on Saturday at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva” at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“The Last Emperor” suffered his second loss in a row to Antonio Silva in the opening round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament via doctor stoppage.

The former Pride Champion may have announced his retirement following the loss.

“Something went wrong from the very beginning, and I couldn’t readjust myself. Maybe it’s time to leave,” Emelianenko said in his post-fight interview.

“Yes, maybe it’s the last time,” added Fedor. “Maybe it’s God’s will.”

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Anderson Silva is back on top of HeavyMMA.com’s pound-for-pound rankings for February 2011.

1. Anderson Silva
Jeremy Botter: Can there be any doubt? Silva’s lightning-quick destruction of Vitor Belfort cements his place as the greatest fighter walking the planet today, and perhaps the greatest fighter of all time. A proposed dream match with Georges St. Pierre is nearly a reality, with only Jake Shields standing in the way.

Jeff Cain: With his UFC 126 knockout of Vitor Belfort, Anderson ends the debate over who is the pound for pound best in the world. He’s on a 14 fight win streak, undefeated in the UFC and has cleared out the middleweight division. We are witnessing the greatest fighter of all time in Silva.

Matt Brown: I’ll be the first to admit, I was on the Aldo bandwagon. Take nothing away from the fast-rising prospect, but Anderson Silva is in a class by himself. In my opinion, he’s three or four more wins away from going down as the greatest fighter that has ever lived – in any combat sport.

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Eight fighters, including top contender Robbie Lawler, have been suspended following Saturday night’s “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg” writes Nate Lawson of HeavyMMA.com.

The California State Athletic Commission released the medical suspensions stemming from “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg” on Monday. Seven fighters were suspended, including Robbie Lawler.

Robbie Lawler, who was submitted by Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, was suspended for 180 days with 180 days no contact until cleared by physician for a possible fracture to his left foot. Scott Carson, who was defeated by Hershel Walker via technical knockout, was suspended for 45 days with 30 days no contact. He needs a new physical to be cleared in California.

Nate Moore has been suspended for 180 days with 180 days no contact or until cleared by physician for possible fracture on his right wrist and right hand. Also, Nathan Coy, who was brutally knocked out on the evening’s preliminary card, has been suspended indefinitely and must be cleared by a doctor. Still, a 90-day suspension awaits him regardless of a doctor’s clearance.

Four other fighters were also suspended, including Eric Lawson (60 days), Stephanie Webber (45 days), Lucas Gamaza (45 days), and Charlene Gellner (45 days).

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Former NFL star Herschel Walker advanced to 2-0 in his MMA career writes Jeff Cain of HeavyMMA.com.

Former NFL star and Olympian Herschel Walker advanced his professional mixed martial arts to 2-0 with a technical knockout win over Scott Carson at “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg” in San Jose on Saturday.

The 48-year old Walker took a high kick to the head to in the opening seconds, but moved forward landing a looping left that knocked Carson to the canvas.

On the ground, Walker maintained dominant position landing several punches and knees to the head and body, one knocking Carson’s mouthpiece bouncing across the cage.

As Carson tried to use the fence to get to his feet, Walker dropped him with another punch and followed with a couple of more forcing the referee to stop the fight.

“I took a kick where I think I was getting a little bit too excited,” said Walker about the high kick landed by Carson early in the fight. “And when you’re in an MMA fight, you shouldn’t get kicked like that.”

“One thing that Javier (Mendez) told me was build offense. I’ve got to be on the offense,” said Walker. “I gotta control what I’m doing in the cage.”

Walker’s not going to try to make another run in the NFL, but instead looks to improve and compete in MMA.

“MMA is my love,” he said following the fight. “I love MMA.”

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According to HeavyMMA.com, Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz wants to take on Georges St. Pierre or Anderson Silva.

Nick Diaz is scheduled to defend his Strikeforce welterweight crown against Evangelista Santos Jan. 29 in San Jose, Calif., but that didn’t stop him from calling out UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre on a media conference call Thursday promoting “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg.”

“I want to fight Georges St. Pierre,” said Diaz.
Diaz’ Cesar Gracie teammate Jake Shields takes on St. Pierre at UFC 129 on April 30 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

“I think my partner (Jake Shields) is going to take him out to be honest, coming up,” added the Strikeforce champion.

“I got here and started fighting before most of them, including Georges St. Pierre, in the UFC. I was really mad at first that they were getting fights and recognition when I was here first,” said Diaz when asked how he stacks up against other top ranked welterweights.

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Jeremy Botter of HeavyMMA.com reports that Nick Diaz has signed a new multi-year deal with Strikeforce.

Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz won’t be testing the free agency waters after all.

Strikeforce officials today announced that the controversial California-based fighter has signed a new multi-year agreement with the promotion.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my career with Strikeforce,” Diaz said.

Diaz is currently riding an eight-fight win streak that includes victories over K.J. Noons, Scott Smith, Marius Zaromskis and Hayato “Mach” Sakurai. He is scheduled to defend his title against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos in the main event of Strikeforce’s Showtime-televised event on Jan. 29.

Diaz says he likes the competition currently available to him in the Strikeforce welterweight division.

“When I first got here, there weren’t a lot of great 170-pound fighters for me to fight, but that’s definitely changed,” Diaz said. “There’s a lot of really good fighters in the division now, and I’m ready to fight anyone who thinks they can beat me.”

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Jeremy Botter of HeavyMMA.com writes that American Kickboxing Academy product Mike Kyle will face Antonio Silva on Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu” even in San Jose.

Kyle replaces Valentijn Overeem, who pulled out of the fight last week with an elbow injury.
HeavyMMA.com confirmed the switch with a Strikeforce official on Monday afternoon. The news was first reported by MMA Junkie.

Kyle has competed mostly at light heavyweight this year, but will return to his original weight class to face Silva, who is considered a contender for Strikeforce’s heavyweight title. Since losing to Fabricio Werdum in August 2009, Kyle has put together a six-fight win streak.

Silva is coming off a win over Andrei Arlovski in May. His Strikeforce record stands at 1-1.

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HeavyMMA.com compiles the top 10 heavyweight world rankings in mixed martial arts.

Heavyweight Rankings
1. Brock Lesnar
2. Fabricio Werdum
3. Fedor Emelianenko
4. Cain Velasquez
5. Junior Dos Santos
6. Shane Carwin
7. Alistair Overeem
8. Frank Mir
9. Antonio Silva
10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Check out more MMA rankings here.

E. Spencer Kyte breaks down 10 things that HeavyMMA.com learned from Strikeforce Houston.

Down with the King
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante ended “King Mo” Lawal’s reign, delivering on the promise that was seemingly washed away when he failed to prepare and lost to Mike Kyle last year.

Always viewed as a dangerous striker, “Feijao” backed up the description, catching Lawal with power early in the third round. He credited the loss to Kyle with helping him refocuses and take his preparation more seriously, and it showed, as he handed the previously unbeaten champion the first loss of his career.

Increased Possibilities
The changing of the guard at the top of the 205-pound division will actually allow Strikeforce greater movement in matchmaking. Unlike Lawal who had expressed no interest in fighting friend and occasional training partner Renato “Babalu” Sobral, “Feijao” has no such allegiances.

As much as Mike Kyle wouldn’t be a title contender anywhere else, he holds a win over the new champ and a rematch is an easy pairing. Others like Dan Henderson and Gegard Mousasi could be considered as well.
Lawal is still a charismatic option on any future event, and being bumped back in the pecking order makes it easier to utilize him against the middle tier talent the division holds. While no one will probably officially agree, this result works out well for the San Jose-based outfit.

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