Strikeforce - Challengers 15 Fight Card & Predictions

Written by Jake Thompson
Monday, 28 March 2011 19:02

It’s time to preview the Strikeforce – Challengers 15 fight card and make some quick predictions on the winners.

The Strikeforce – Challengers 15 card will play out on April 1st and all of the MMA action will be coming live from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.  Although the Diaz versus Daley Strikeforce card on April 9th is getting all of the press interest, the Challengers 15 fights a week earlier are not ones you’ll want to forget about if you like wagering on this sport.  We’ll make predictions on the 3 most important fights on the Strikeforce – Challengers 15 card and then outline the remaining bouts below.

Strikeforce – Challengers 15 Card and Predictions:

Justin Wilcox vs. Rodrigo Damm

Damm has faced some excellent fighters in larger promotions but I don’t think he has much to offer Wilcox here.  Wilcox is a powerful wrestler and hasn’t been submitted by anyone other than other good wrestlers with Jiu Jitsu skills.  Damm will be overpowered in the submission game and I don’t think he has the power to hurt Wilcox in the striking department.  Look for Wilcox to keep the fight standing for as long as he wants before he decides to win rounds by getting the takedown and dealing out damage.  If Vitor Ribeiro can’t submit Wilcox, I don’t see Damm being able to do much of anything.

Lorenz Larkin vs. Scott Lighty

Larkin is taking this fight on short notice after Olympic Judo competitor Satoshi Ishii had to pull out following the tragedy in his native Japan.  The new matchup between Lighty and Larkin is going to be a great one to watch because both guys are dangerous strikers that like to stand and bang.  Larkin is undefeated but Lighty is a big step up from the competition he’s been facing.  Ultimately, Larkin has a ton of power but his striking isn’t up to par with Lighty’s experience in K-1 and other kickboxing organizations.  Larkin could definitely land that one big punch, but I’ll take the technical abilities of Lighty here.

Caros Fodor vs. David Douglas

This is another interesting stylistic matchup as Fodor’s Matt Hume-trained submission game will be going against Douglas’ pure power and aggression.  Douglas isn’t just a powerful puncher, however, as he is part of the Caesar Gracie camp and has surely picked up some Jiu Jitsu knowledge since suffering both of his career losses by submission.  Although Fodor is tricky on the ground, I don’t think he has the wrestling to dictate where this fight takes place.  That means that Douglas can use his power to win the striking game or use his wrestling to unleash some fierce ground and pound.  Fodor could always get a guillotine on the way down or an armbar on a scramble, but my money will be on Douglas’ fists causing major damage to stop the fight in the 2nd round.

Josh Thornburg vs. James Terry

Damian Douglas vs. Wayne Phillips

Rafael Rios vs. Anthony Avila

Robert Escalante vs. Raul Sandoval

Tristan Arenal vs. Tom Peterson

Adam Antolin vs. Ronald Carillo