Strikeforce - Challengers 18 Preview: Card & Predictions

Written by Jake Thompson
Wednesday, 10 August 2011 20:56

It’s time to preview the Strikeforce – Challengers 18 card with fight predictions and betting tips.

The Strikeforce – Challengers 18 card will be held on Friday, August 12th, and the fights will take place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Betting odds are still not up but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make some predictions on the best fights the card has to offer.  You can catch the Strikeforce – Challengers 18 card live on Showtime, and the start time is set for 11:00 PM ET.

Strikeforce – Challengers 18 Fight Card:

Jorge Gurgel vs. Joe Duarte

Keith Berry vs. Gian Villante

Pat Healy vs. Eric Wisely

Sarah D’Alelio vs. Ronda Rousey

Danillo Villefort vs. Nate James

Milton Vieira vs. Sterling Ford

Roy Jones vs. Derrick Mehmen

Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Lukasz Les

Chad Leonhardt vs. Mike Bronzoulis

Strikeforce – Challengers 18 Predictions:

Jorge Gurgel vs. Joe Duarte

Gurgel (14-7) has an incredible Jiu Jitsu game which he never uses, instead preferring to brawl with his opponents.  The guy has an iron chin but just doesn’t hasn't shown the knockout power to put many fighters away.  Duarte (9-2) was a former Ultimate Fighter contestant that, like Gurgel, is a gamer that isn’t afraid to battle it out on the feet.  Although most of his career wins have come via submission, Duarte is well-rounded and tough.  That being said, he’s been stopped with strikes twice and is probably a step below Gurgel in both the striking and submission departments.  Since Duarte has never shown a great amount of wrestling, I’m expecting Gurgel to get the better of the exchanges as this one goes to a decision where the more experienced veteran gets the unanimous nod in an exciting fight.

Keith Berry vs. Gian Villante

Villante (7-3) was once a hyped prospect but has fallen on hard times after losing 2 of his last 3 fights.  He’s shown some strong striking ability in many of his fights but has also shown weaknesses to quicker fighters that can dictate where the fight goes.  Villante does have some nice wrestling ability and is likely to have a plentiful strength advantage here.  Berry (10-7) likes to strike but has been stopped with punches in 5 of his 7 losses.  He does have power and some decent wrestling but that reckless fighting style might have him in trouble against a guy that hits as hard as Villante.  These two should throw big blows in the center of the cage and I expect Villante to be the one that comes out on top with a 1st round TKO victory either standing or if he's on top on the ground.

Pat Healy vs. Eric Wisely

Healy (24-16) has been around forever and holds notable victories over such standouts as Paul Daley, Dan Hardy, Carlos Condit, and Lyle Beerbohm.  His brand of submission wrestling makes it difficult for opponents to mount much of an offense, but Healy is the type of fighter that can be submitted if you get him hurt.  Wisely (17-5) has two wins over former UFC fighter Hermes Franca and has only lost via decision over his career.  He’s tough as nails but also doesn’t have a wrestling pedigree which makes me question if he’ll be able to keep the fight standing for very long.  Wisely is a striker and I have to wonder if he’ll be able to catch Healy with anything in the seconds before he gets put on his back.  I’m going with the experienced veteran here and I’ll call for Wisely to suffer his first stoppage loss by way of submission in the 3rd round.