Strikeforce "Shamrock vs. Diaz" Preview

Brett Rogers vs. Ron Humphrey

The matchup
It doesn’t get more basic than this -- two unbeaten heavies, with all their wins via stoppage, mostly by KO. At 8-0, Rogers’ major claim to fame was calling out Kimbo Slice for a bout he never got in the defunct Elite XC organization. He gets another shot to establish his name here against Humphrey, a 5-0 prospect with all his wins via KO in the opening round.

Keys to victory
Simple. Hit the other guy first, preferably harder than he’ll hit you. Despite his un-Lesnar-like build, Rogers is fairly nimble for his size (weighing close to the 265-pound heavyweight class limit) and moves quicker than he looks. He’s also got more big-fight experience, which could translate well into handling what could be an eventual title shot against Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem in a division where the promotion’s cupboard is exceptionally thin.

Intangibles
You never know how the first big-time-fight butterflies will play out, and for Humphrey, a veteran of the “Iron Ring” MMA reality experiment, he’ll be giving up some 20 pounds to boot. However, it only takes one shot with heavyweights, and despite Rogers’ three fights for Elite XC, all that could go asunder if drilled clean. Humphrey’s last five opponents have a combined record of 18-31. He’s clearly taking a step up in competition here.

The pick
Rogers has decent wrestling and is pretty tough in the clinch. Add in the size difference and it should be enough to grind out a second-round TKO.