Confuseyus: Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg Quick Predictions (Updated)

Confuseyus

It’s a historical night of MMA coming up this Saturday night as Strikeforce returns with it’s biggest show yet…if it holds together. Lots of injuries and other problems have plagued the card but hopefully it goes through and the first-ever women’s main event between the sport’s 2 biggest stars (at least outside of Japan) will finally get it on.
Because of various issues including uncertainty surrounding the card up until right when I did this, I will only be able to do quick predictions for the card. These are, of course, subject to change. (Updated 8/14)

Usual disclaimer: As always, these picks are strictly for entertainment purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any real-life betting/wagering. A “NC” in a fighter’s record indicates No Contest.

Main card airs live on Showtime.

Prelims:
David Douglas vs. Justin Wilcox
Records: Douglas 4-1, Wilcox 5-3
Prediction: Douglas by 1st round KO/TKO.

Zak Bucia vs. James Terry
Records: Bucia 3-2, Terry 6-1
Prediction: Bucia by 2nd round submission/tapout.

Isaiah Hill vs. Alex Trevino
Records: Hill 4-6-1, 1 NC, Trevino 3-0
Prediction: Trevino by 1st round submission/tapout.

Mike Cook vs. Scott Lighty
Records: Cook 7-4, Lighty 4-0
Prediction: Cook by 1st round KO/TKO.

Mike Kyle vs. Fabricio Werdum
Records: Kyle 12-6-1, Werdum 11-4-1
Prediction: Werdum by 1st round KO/TKO.
8/14/09 UPDATE: This fight has been moved from prelim to TV. With the WW title fight being off it now appears there will be enough time on the broadcast for 5 fights.

TV fights:
Jay Hieron vs. Jesse Taylor
Records: Hieron 17-4, Taylor 11-3
Prediction: Hieron by 1st round submission/tapout.
This was to have been Nick Diaz vs. Joe Riggs for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Championship, but Diaz is off due to bad reactions from medicine. Then it was Diaz vs. Hieron, see below.
Note: This fight happening is in doubt due to Diaz missing a scheduled pre-fight drug test last week. A make-up test has been scheduled but results may not be back in time to clear Diaz.
UPDATE: Diaz is off. No-showed 8/10 drug test and reportedly no contact with CSAC from either Diaz or trainer Cesar Gracie. Jesse Taylor will be the replacement, it’s not known if the fight is still a title fight.
8/11/09 UPDATE: Hieron-Taylor will be a NON-TITLE match.

Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitshuiro Ishida for the title
Records: Melendez 15-2, Ishida 18-5-1
Prediction: Ishida by unanimous/majority decision.

Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champino Renato Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi for the title
Records: Sobral 35-8, Mousasi 25-2-1
Prediction: Mousasi by 1st round KO/TKO.

Main Event: Gina Carano vs. Cristiane Santos for the inaugural Strikeforce Women’s Championship
Records: Carano 7-0, Santos 7-1
Prediction: Santos by 3rd round KO/TKO.

Note: Won’t be watching the event. I don’t get Showtime and although an online PPV will be offered, I need to cut back on spending a little bit even though this is only $25-plus I’m not sure if my PC can handle it sans 128 MB video RAM. I’ve got enough other RAM but who knows.