Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II Predictions



Main Card:

Dan Henderson vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral

Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland

Paul Daley vs. Scott Smith

Antonio Silva vs. Mike Kyle

Benji Radach vs. Ovince St. Preux

Shawn's Predictions:

Benji Radach vs. Ovince St. Preux: Radach via TKO

- Not gonna lie, I don't know shit about this Ovince guy. Radach is a well known fighter who's fought some pretty well known dudes like Murilo Rua, Scott Smith, Chris Leben, and Sean Sherk. 16 of his 21 wins are by TKO/KO so I think that's a pretty good indication of what he will do tonight. Sorry guys, don't have much to say about this fight.

Antonio Silva vs. Mike Kyle: Silva via Unanimous Decision

- Silva is coming off a big victory over Andrei Arlovski and Kyle is currently on a four fight win streak. Kyle also has a victory over current Strikeforce LHW Champ Rafael Cavalcante. I think for the majority of the fight, the two will stand and bang to try and get a big knockout. It is possible that one man will drop, but I think their two styles might cancel each other out. I think Silva will be bigger and a little bit faster than Kyle. He won't knock him out, but do just enough standing up to win a close decision.

Paul Daley vs. Scott Smith: Smith via TKO

- This fight is very hard to predict. Both guys love to stand and bang, especially Paul Daley. Often criticized as being "completely one-dimensional", Daley's only chance at beating Scott Smith is by knocking his ass out. I don't think Smith is stupid, and I think he will try his best to avoid the big left or big right. I believe he will still keep it standing for some of the fight though. I see Paul Daley going after Smith immediately and almost hurting him. But, the comeback kid will do what he does back and drop Daley, leading to a late TKO. I'm going out on a limb with this one because it could go either way, but we will find out tomorrow night.

Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland: Lawler via TKO

- While Robbie Lawler will probably try to use his striking and keep it standing, Lindland will want to use his Greco-Roman wrestling background to take him down and grind him out. Lawler showed his impressive stand-up skills in his fight against Melvin Manhoef., and I think he will show the same Saturday evening. Lindland will be frustrated by the inability to take down Lawler and Lawler will end up catching him in the stand-up game, ending the fight with a late TKO.

Dan Henderson vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral: Henderson via Unanimous Decision

- For the majority of the fight, Henderson will try to take Babalu down. He doesn't have to worry about being out struck, but Babalu is coming off of an impressive close decision victory against Robbie Lawler, who likes to keep it standing up. I think Henderson will push the pace in this fight and control the mat. He will pick his spots and take Babalu down when he pleases. He wont be able to finish the fight, but he will wrestle his way to a one-sided, 30-27 unanimous decision victory.

Vinny's Predictions (quick write up):

Dan Henderson vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral: Henderson by KO

Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland: Lawler by KO

Paul Daley vs. Scott Smith: Daley by Decision

Antonio Silva vs. Mike Kyle: Silva by KO

Benji Radach vs. Ovince St. Preux: Radach by KO