Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine Play-by-Play, Results and Discussion

Starting at 10 EST, we will be giving you live play-by-play of tonight's Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine main card. Keith Jardine will battle it out with Luke Rockhold for the Strikeforce middleweight belt. Before that, you get some pretty epic bouts between Robbie Lawler and Adlan Amagov, Lorenz Larkin and "King" Muhammed Lawal, Jordan Mein and Tyron Woodley, and Tarec Saffedine and Tyler Stinson!

If you are fretting about the preliminaries, you better not! I will be posting results and summaries of the bouts as they occur. The preliminaries start at 8 EST, so be there to see some undercard talent like James Terry and Gian Villante slug it out to get you ready! This will be on Showtime Extreme, so be sure not to miss it. Get ready for some great action and join a stag for the official Gals Guide Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine live discussion!

WE ARE LIVE!

Oh, the promo is on. I hope the announcing crew gets a little better, but miracles only happen so often. And twenty seconds in and Mauro just called Keith Jardine a "U.S. veteran." Yep, should be a good one. Frank Shamrock makes unnecessary pauses during his sentences. He also puts emphasis on random words. His nose is crooked. I am doing this live. I hate your commentary, Frank. Pat Miletich did fine...but he is extremely red. He looks like Ben Rothwell on a jog up a mountain.

Welterweight bout: Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson

Pre-fight: Tarec Saffiedine just got called "The Belgian Banger." If Van Damme goes in to the porn industry, tell him to call me. I've got a name for him. Tyler Stinson rocks a pretty mean hairdo. Also, he came out to Outkast. Good job, sir. I had no idea that Saffiedine's nickname was "The Sponge." Stinson has a five inch reach advantage, so curious as to how that one will work out for him.

Round 1: Mazzagatti is your ref and here we go. Stinson coming out agressive. Both are southpaws. Tarec lands a lead left-hook and leg kick. Stinson's standup is not as crisp, but he seems to have some power. Head kick by Saffiedine. Stinson is attempting to keep Tarec's back to the cage and blitz. Another head kick attempted for Tarec. Three punch combo by Tarec followed by a leg kick. Right hook and circling for "The Belgian Banger." Right hook and headkick by Tarec. Front kick gets Stinson and Tarec has him up against the cage. Clinch released and Stinson cracks Tarec with an elbow. He's wobbled! But Stinson pulls guard. Stinson has an armbar locked! What a fight. Stinson escapes out the backdoor in a scramble and the men are standing. Elbow by Stinson. Spinning hook kick attempt by Stinson. Tarec hits Stinson with a right. Stinson rattles Tarec with a hook and Saffiedine is on his bike. What a momentum shift and the round ends with Tarec getting cracked with an elbow. 10-9 Stinson.

Round 2: Leg kick by Stinson and he is looking to blitz Saffiedine. Lead left headkick for Tarec...but nothind doing. Stinson lands a left and slaps Tarec with a headkick. Left hooks flying for Stinson and Tarec is running. Tarec doesn't want to slug it out with this guy. He rides his bike and fires a 1-2. Tarec secures a running double-leg and drives Stinson to his back. Stinson is active from his back and is constantly looking for submissions. Impressive stuff thus far from Stinson. Tarec looking to posture up and land but Stinson has nothing for him. Tarec's corner is speaking French. Just thought I'd let you know that. Weird to hear it. Tarec is landing some short strikes and peppering Stinson, just kind of controlling. Stinson is bloodied up. Tarec is just posturing and landing little strikes. 10-9 Tarec for me.

Round 3: Miesha Tate takes away a few seconds of fight time slamming Ronda Rousey. And Stinson takes a shot to the pills. I think he is working for some time. Trading headkicks and Tarec BLASTS a double. Stinson working for a submission and Saffiedine is in full grind-mode. Peppering Stinson with elbows and body strikes. His corner screams "SU-PAIR!" in a heavy French accent. Love it. More peppering. More grinding. And the fight is stood up. Stinson looks like he can't see past his hair and the blood. The two attempt to exchange head kicks and Stinson caught Tarec. Stinson blitzing but I do not think it will be enough. Solid opening fight. 10-9 Saffiedine for a 29-28 victory.

Just wanted to point out that Miletich asked Frank if he gave Tarec the third round and Frank answers: "Well, I don't know...but I give him the fight." Dumbfounding. Just horrid.

Official Decision: Tarec Saffedine by split decision (29-28 Saffiedine, 30-27 Saffiedine, 29-28 Stinson).

Miesha Tate hogs more camera, but I can't say I mind. Daniel Cormier plays it cool and doesn't look at the camera. Chad Griggs: no words. Awesome. Frank Mir gets a little boo. Cung Le is there and was chatting it up. And Herschel Walker still looks like a frighting man. Oh, and the guy who stopped a subway robbery is there. Give me athletic greatness...then a guy who looks like a clownshoes Tank Abbott. Good work!

Luke Rockhold gives an extremely dull interview. And into the Mein-Woodley promo we go!

Welterweight bout: Tyron Woodley vs. Jordan Mein

Pre-fight: Mein comes out looking really boyish and to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man." I didn't know Skynyrd was even allowed in Canada. Too much 'Murrica in that music. Either way, Mein has some BRUTAL elbows. Ridiculous stuff. He looks to have a bruised up cheek...or he is wearing some really strange clown makeup. Woodley has a pretty tame walk-in, not much to say there.

Round 1: Mein flashing the jab and Woodley flicking his hands up. Woodley lands a body kick. Leg kick by Woodley. Woodley goes in for a takedown and Mein defends for now. Woodley still looking for a high-crotch takedown and Mein is still defending. Glad to see he has been working on his glaring weakness. Woodley stalling and they are separated. Mein flashes a front kick and looks for a looping right. Nice uppercut glanced Woodley. Woodley clinches on the fence and has Mein down. Looking for an arm triangle here and Mein has his feet on the cage, looking to push out. Woodley in half-guard and Mein explodes out! Scramble ensues but Woodley regains top control in half-guard. Mein might not make it much longer with Woodley's grinding pace if he isn't used to this. Shoulder strike by Tyron. Slamming elbow by Woodley! Mein looks composed from the bottom. They are back on their feet here! Mein working on some feints and trying to pin Woodley's back to the cage. Flash of a front kick by Mein, attempted takedown from Woodley, and the bell tolls. 10-9 Woodley.

Round 2: Hey, did you guys know that this announce team is horrid? Oh, you did? Good. Round starts and Mein's leg kick attempt is almost caught by Tyron. Tyron hits a brutal overhand right and gets a body lock on Jordan. Woodley gets the takedown and is immediately in half-guard. Woodley's standup looks pretty impressive. Elbow landed by Woodley and you can hear his wife screaming that "the boys are watching." Mein looks pretty sick of this whole wrasslin' thing. He isn't offering much from the guard as Woodley is pounded the ribs here. And you hear more of Mrs. Woodley. Fantastic. Woodley content to stay in guard as Mein attempts some Florian elbows, looking for cuts. Woodley is grinding. And grinding. And grinding. He isn't doing enough to stay busy in my mind, but what do I know? Woodley postures up and does nothing with it. Continues to lay on Mein. Mein is cracking him with elbows on the top of the head. Woodley continuing to tenderize the ribs here. Guillotine attempt by Mein for .5 seconds or so. Woodley grinds his way to a 10-9.

Round 3: Mein goes for a flying knee and is immediately placed on his back. Mein working his elbows, Woodley working his Fitch. The referee implores Woodley to "stay busy," but I doubt that he'll do anything. Tyron Woodley makes Jon Fitch look like an amusement park of fun and joy. Tyron Woodley makes Jon Fitch look like Chris Leben. I would make commentary on this fight if something was happening. I really would. You know what? I'm going to tell you what I am doing. I am drinking a Coke and typing. And the fight is stood up. Mein has a minute to go for it. Woodley goes for an ankle pick and presses Mein against the cage. They are doing some dancing as Woodley looks for a takedown. Woodley for a 10-9. 30-27 Woodley on my card.

Official Decision: Tyron Woodley by split decision (29-28 Mein, 29-28 Woodley, 30-27 Woodley).

God told Tyron Woodley that he'd get through the fight. Cyborg gets suspended for using a steroid to cut weight, but Tyron Woodley gets to use divine intervention? That just isn't fair. I wish divine intervention would work for me so I can get Frank Shamrock away from my ears. "Even as a novice...I put my novice-er hat on..." Frank, don't use big words.

Keith Jardine gives us a pretty dull interview. Seems really tired, but we'll see if that is true.

Light Heavyweight bout: Muhammed Lawal vs. Lorenz Larkin

Pre-fight: Lorenz Larkin is sexy and he knows it. King Mo enters with some shiny jewelry. A nice crown and a pretty spiffy chain. Six and a half inch reach for King Mo.

Round 1: King Mo shoots for a single-leg and the fight is all over! No, but it might as well be. King Mo is working some ground and pound. Larkin looks absolutely helpless here. King Mo is in the open half-guard here and looking for posture. Mo mixing up body and head strikes here. Larkin attempts to sit up and Mo won't allow it. Right hands for King Ko. Left hands for Mo. A piece of Larkin's gladiator trunks has been torn off. This is upsetting. And Mo doesn't seem to care as he is still working control and ground and pound. Kim Winslow does what Kim Winslow does: bad standup. Larkin misses a lead-left uppercut. Mo with his hands down. Larkin needs to work something here. But he doesn't. Straight right and left for Larkin to end the round. 10-9 King Mo.

Round 2: Larkin's leg gets snatched up by Mo. Mo eats a few uppercuts trying to get Larkin to the ground, but Larkin eventually falls. Mo continuing to give Larkin a steady diet of posture and fists. Brutal right hands landing over and over and over and Larkin is on queer street. Goodnight, Irene! King Mo wins by 2nd round TKO.

Larkin's eye is really swollen. Bad stoppage by Kim Winslow. Larkin just told Kim Winslow: "Excuse me, miss. You let him take too many punches." Very nice of him, honestly. Winslow apparently wanted to give the fighters "a fair shot." Larkin took too many shots. Definitely an impressive performance by Mo and Larkin needs to work that wrestling.

More irrelevant banter by the announcers as they talk about Facebook polls and such. It is REALLY hard to say this, but Mauro and Frank (not so much Pat, although he can get pretty grating) make me really appreciate Goldie and Rogan.

Middleweight bout: Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov

Pre-fight: Adlan Amagov looks ready to go. I wonder if this is the famed "Russian Orthodox" music that Fedor enjoys so much. Robbie Lawler comes out to Eminem. Not the prime, crazy, drugged-up Eminem. The preachy Eminem that conquered drugs.

Round 1: Expecting a quick finish here, folks. Lawler blitzes and ends up getting taken down by Amagov. Lawler is right up with Amagov on his back. Back to the mat with Amagov in half-guard. Amagov working on a headlock and hits an illegal knee. Takes Steve Mazzagatti a while to recognize it...surprise, surprise. Says he'll take a point away. Point is deducted and we are back on. Feints being thrown by Lawler. Attempts a flying knee and AMAGOV IS HURT. PUNCHES ON THE GROUND AND IT IS OVER! WOW. Robbie Lawler wins by 1st round KO.

Impressive by Robbie Lawler. On to the championship bout we go, folks.

Middleweight Championship bout: Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine

Pre-fight: Dana is here. He says to expect great shows. Business as usual, folks. Rockhold comes out to Danzig. I don't know if Rockhold has the mental capacity to be deep and brooding. Jardine is rocking that classic pre-fight smirk. Rockhold trying to look mean and looks like a kid that is pissed that his mom grounded him. Herb Dean is your ref and we are on, folks.

Round 1: Jardine looking quick and aggressive. Opening up with leg kicks. Rockhold with a high kick. Jardine gets hit with a right. Rockhold goes in with a flying knee and is now being held against the fence by Jardine. Reversed and Rockhold is holding. Surprised that a little "Jardine" chant breaks out. Knees are being exchanged as Rockhold employs some wall and stall. Hits Jardine with an elbow on the exit. Jardine working the herky-jerky kicks. Jardine eats a spinning back kick. Looked rough but Jardine ate it. Got tagged by Rockhold but eats it. Clinch up on the fence. Strikes being exchanged here and Jardine switches stances to southpaw. Jardine gets dropped from a punch behind the ear but looks okay now. Wild swings by both. Jardine gets TAGGED with a right hook. Another right and Jardine is on his butt. Flurry and Jardine is standing...and now he's not. Herb Dean steps in. Luke Rockhold by 1st round TKO.

Jardine didn't go out as badly as he usually does, but I won't complain on that stoppage. He looked better than usual at middleweight...but I don't know if I want to see him take any more punishment. Jardine vs. Bisping, anyone?

Rockhold just called Jardine a "proven opponent." Rockhold seemed pretty modest in the interview. Tim Kennedy was slated to challenge Rockhold, but had to decline due to injury. Rockhold just said in so many words that he wants to jump ship and go to the UFC by saying he'd like them to bring over some talent to fight him. Just say what you mean, Luke.

Solid night of fights here, folks. Glad you all could join me!

WE ARE LIVE!

Opening up here, Frank Shamrock is horrible. Might as well be reading off a script. Pat Miletich seemed a little stiff as well. Arena looks dead. I might do play-by-play to make this undercard interesting, but don't hold me to it.

Catchweight bout (160 lbs.): Estevan Payan vs. Alonzo Martinez

Pre-fight: Alonzo comes out to DMX. Might have to root for him. They talk about Alonzo being shot previously. Can't really tell what Estevan is coming out to, but he is ex-military, so a big salute to him. I know Estevan was on the end of the brutal spinning backfist KO in the first season of Bellator. Oh, he is coming out to Kanye's Monster. Tough, tough choice on better entrance. FIGHT IS ON, PEOPLE!

Round 1: Glove tap. Martinez leading with jabs and leg kicks. Payan looking to counter. This is just a slugfest thus far. Doing their best Leonard Garcia impressions, although Payan looks a bit sharper with his punches. Slowing down, but Payan throws a combo. For every punch Alonzo throws, Payan has a brutal combo. Alonzo goes for an ankle pick and is shucked off. Payan controlling the standup clearly. Brutal left by Payan lands followed by a leg kick. Jab is looking really effective for Payan. Another jab. Alonzo clinches and changes levels but is turned away by Payan. Frank Shamrock is still awful. Sloppy windwills for Martinez are not landing. Leg kick slaps Martinez. 10-9 Payan.

Round 2: Payan opens with a combo and keeps Martinez at range with the jab. Uses lead left-hook to keep Martinez away. Battering Martinez on the feet. Cracks Martinez with a right hook and he loses his mouthpiece. Jabs and a leg kick by Payan. Lead left-hook once again. Martinez goes in and gets cracked with every punch under the sun. Shoots for a takedown and gets shucked off. Payan looks REALLY crisp here. Leg kick and follow up with an attempted combo. Martinez has slowed. Payan lands a nice 1-2. Martinez shoots and gets sprawled on, fight moves back to the feet. Stiff jab...again! Payan has a nice jab. Right hook by Payan and Alonzo is bleeding. 10-9 Payan.

Round 3: Martinez opening aggressively with some kicks. Jab to the stomach by Payan. Martinez lands a few lefts, but doing nothing. Brutal uppercut landed by Payan. STIFF right hook lands by Payan. Hook to the body and left landed by Payan. This looks like a sparring session, lord almighty. Another stuffed takedown by Payan. And another stuffed. Payan controlling the standup, shocking...Brutal right uppercut to the stomach by Payan. Jabs and fists just blowing Martinez up. I can't do Payan's jab justice. Beautiful stuff. Jab lands again, followed by a right to the body by Payan. Takedown stuffed again as Payan closes with some punches to the face of Martinez. 10-9 Payan for 30-27 on my card.

Official Decision: Estevan Payan by unanimous decision (30-27 across the board).

Lightweight bout: Ricky Legere vs. Chris Spang

Pre-fight: Legere is supposedly the head trainer at the UFC Gym. That's cool, I guess. Trains with Munoz. Spang...not much to say. He's Swedish.

Round 1: Legere comes out aggressive. Spang is A LOT taller than Legere. Lanky kid. Legere ragdolls him with a single leg, picks him up, puts him down. Spang looking active from the guard with foot on the hip. Putting up an armbar and Legere slips out. Legere keeping blanket-like control as Spang attempts to wall-walk. Spang grabs rubber guard, abandons it for traditional closed guard. Legere is peppering Spang with body shots. Postures up and passes to side control on Spang. Spang attempting to push off the cage, but that isn't happening. Half guard now for Spang. Now back to full guard. Legere still peppering with short punches. More body shots, but Spang gets up to his feet! Head kick attempted, but Legere clinches up and pushes him into the cage. Wall...and stall...wall...and stall...Legere attempts high crotch but gets caught in a guillotine! OH MAN! He NEARLY taps. I'll go10-9 Legere.

Round 2: Jumping knee by Spang turns into an easy takedown for Legere. Legere is doing some excellent Fitching here. Short elbow, but Spang regains control of Legere's head. Spang is using good hand-control here, but Legere is definitely busier with his punch or two every five seconds. Spang goes for a leg and a scramble ensues! Legere ends back up in guard after nearly gaining side control. Legere still in guard, but the fight gets stood up. Spang throws an overhand and a spinning backfist. Legere clinches off the backfist and drives Spang into the fence. Legere works for a double-leg and ends up picking Spang up and does a Matt Hughes walk-and-slam. Legere in half guard, looking content to lay out here. Working for side control as the bell rings. 10-9 Legere.

Round 3: Spang keeping the fight standing and trying to work a combo. Hits a knee to the body and hits a straight right. Spang lands an overhand right that Chuck Liddell would love. Spang works a combo and some nice body shots. Legere shoots and finally gets Spang on an outside trip. PROCEED TO FITCH! Fight is stood up and Spang looking for combos. Clinched up against the fence and Legere working a double-leg. Legere picks him up and puts Spang on his back. Spang kicks out and cracks Legere with some shots. Legere shoots and gets stuffed! SPRANG TAKES THE BACK. LOOKING FOR A REAR NAKED CHOKE! Doesn't have it and is now too high on the back, ends up falling off and Legere climbs into mount to end the round! Not a good fight, but the last minute was pretty nice.10-9 Legere for a 30-27 on my card. Could certainly be a 29-28 for Legere with taking of the back by Spang.

Official Decision: Ricky Legere wins by unanimous decision (29-28 across the board).

Light Heavyweight bout: Gian Villante vs. Trevor Smith

Pre-fight: Villante comes out to Johnny Cash. Trevor Smith questions his own desire to fight...sounds confident.

Round 1: Villante catches Smith's kick and is immediately on top. Fight is back up and Villante pushes him up against the fence. Smith lands a right body kick. Villante answers with a leg kick and left hook. Straight right by Villante and he grabs a leg. Smith is eating some shots in an awkward position. More shots and Kim Winslow stops the bout. Questionable, but Gian was bombing Smith pretty hard. Gian Villante wins by 1st round TKO. Frank Shamrock thinks the fight isn't over...but it is. I hate you, Frank Shamrock. I hate you.

Welterweight bout: Nah-Shon Burrell vs. James Terry

Pre-fight: Nah-Shon got into the sport from seeing Anderson Silva vs. Chris Leben on Unleashed. Good man. Frank Shamrock says he has "chi." Damnit, Frank. DAMNIT. James Terry...not much to say. Frank says that "the key to his key" is striking. I bet Matt Hamill has more fun watching Strikeforce than I do.

Round 1: Terry working for a jab. Burrell catches Terry with a lead left-hook. Leg kick by Burrell. Burrell looks to have some serious power. Superman punch attempted by Terry. Strikes exchanged and Terry looks for a takedown as he pins Burell against the cage. Gets him down with a double leg and pins Burrell's head against the fence. Burrell attempting to kick him off, but Terry stays on. Now in half-guard and Terry is looking to improve position. Back to their feet and Terry snatches a single leg. Terry moves into the mount! Burrell sits up and gets back up! Wow. Strong guy. Terry has a body lock as Burrell is on his knees. Terry transitions to the back and Burrell is working the two-on-one hand control. Burrell stands up and is being pressed against the wall by Terry. Terry is seeking a double-leg, looks for a single, and gets it. Burrell looks like a fish out of water on the ground. Round closes with an attempted superman punch by Terry. 10-9 Terry.

Round 2: Mauro introduces this as the final round. Ugh. Terry circling and lands a right, but gets caught with a right uppercut by Burrell. Burrell leading with a left hook and Terry still on his bike. Terry cracks with a straight right and runs him into the fence. Terry picks up a big double-leg and lifts Burrell and slams him on his back. Terry in half-guard, transitions to the back. And Burrell still stands up. Burrell is strong as hell and is going to have a good game once he gets it together. Terry cracks Burrell with an uppercut. Burrell ends a lull with a nice leg kick. Strikes are exchanged and Terry engages with a clinch. Clinch is broken and a lot of circling. Terry shoots in with what looks like a tackle, but Burrell sprawls. Terry shoves him into the cage and Terry works a single. Burrell tries to work a kimura but pulls Terry down on top of him. Working from half-guard with the round closing. Burrell lands an uppercut and goes with a jumping knee to close it. 10-9 Terry.

Round 3: We have another spilled bag of ice. Of course, no funny jokes are made about. Because Frank Shamrock would botch it. Round three opens with Burrell swining and Terry riding his bicycle. Burrell is swinging for the fences but getting noting. Leg kick, left, and right uppercut by Burrell. Clinch, release, and tough left hook landed bu Burrell. Knee to the body by Burrell here. Terry looks to be trying to circle this round out. Lead left uppercut by Burrell. Weird, but fun stuff. Superman punch unsuccessful for Terry. And a lull in the action. Nice right by Burrell. Burrell lands a stiff lead left uppercut, follows with a combo. Body kick by Burrell. Terry still on his bike here. Burrell is letting him...not a good idea. Terry ducks under a punch, works a combo, gets nothing. Right hook cracks Terry and Burrell is swinging for the fences. Stiff right uppercut by Burrell! Push kick, but Terry looks like he'll survive here. Terry just moving around, evading strikes. Terry shoots and pins Burrell against the fence. Double-leg secured and Burrell is on his butt once again to end the round. 10-9 Burrell for 29-28 Terry on my card.

Official Decision: Nah-Shon Burrell by split decision (29-28 Terry, 29-28 Burrell, 29-28 Burrell).

Yeah, guys. MMA judging sucks. What a shame for Terry. Lord almighty.