Strikeforce ‘Rockhold vs. Jardine’ Preview: The Main Card

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Light Heavyweights
Muhammed Lawal (8-1, 3-1 SF) vs. Lorenz Larkin (12-0, 3-0 SF)

The Matchup: This is the type of matchmaking that separates the prospects from the pretenders, as Larkin puts his well-rounded striking skills to the test against Lawal’s powerful wrestling game.

Lawal has good timing on his takedown shot, and it is backed by knockout power and a solid jab. The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion has experienced mixed results against standup artists, suffocating Gegard Mousasi with positioning and control to capture the belt, while gassing when his takedowns failed in relinquishing the title to Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante in his next outing. When not threatened by the power of his opponent, “King Mo” has shown a willingness to stand, as he did in a first-round knockout of Roger Gracie in September.

He will want to take Larkin to the ground, however, because the Riverside, Calif., native has yet to face a wrestler of his caliber. Larkin can attack with kicks, punches and knees, and he has shown the ability to recover from bad positions in recent performances. Nick Rossborough made his life difficult at Strikeforce Challengers 19 by forcing him into the clinch and battling for position. He asserted himself later, blasting Rossborough with a knee to the gut to change the momentum. At Strikeforce Challengers 16, he displayed a decent offensive arsenal against Gian Villante, even with his back against the cage.

Larkin will need to put all his tools to use against Lawal, who will test his resiliency with a smothering top game. Lawal’s wrestling base is good enough that he can limit an opponent’s offense while in his guard, but it is not likely that Larkin will want to fight from his back.

The Pick: With Dan Henderson gone to the UFC, the Strikeforce light heavyweight title is up for grabs. If Lawal can make an emphatic statement against Larkin, he will be back in the running for the division’s top contender spot. Larkin’s aggression is going to be hindered by the constant threat of a Lawal shot, and if he does not have solid takedown defense in place, it is going to be a long night. Lawal controls the pace of the fight, taking a third-round technical knockout via ground-and-pound.

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