Strikeforce puts on some great shows and Diaz vs. Noons II was no different. The only thing that bothered me was the announcing. Sometimes there’s a point when there’s just too many people talking. At one point they had Mauro Ranallo, Pat Militich, Frank Shamrock, and Gilbert Melendez. Along with the over the top Mauro (which I love most of the time) it was a bit too much. Great night of fights though.

1. Nick Diaz outboxes the boxer, KJ Noons

Nick Diaz shows that he can beat fighters on the ground with his sick Brazilian Jui-Jitsu and on the feet with his underrated boxing. He did that yesterday against KJ Noons and kept his distance with the jab and landed the majority of the significant strikes. Noons didn’t look comfortable in there and his footwork wasn’t there. Diaz won the fight decisively, but who’s next for him?

(+1) Prediction: Nick Diaz over KJ Noons

2. Josh Thompson wins by decision with the help of a crazy judge

This was my Fight of the Night. Both Josh Thompson and JZ Cavalcante brought it was good standup and an impressive display of grappling. The first round showed attempts by both with a tight guillatine from Cavalcante and an arm choke from Thompson. Next round went to Thompson, and then the last round definitely went to Cavalcante. I had it 29-28 Thompson, so I don’t know how one judge had it 30-27 Thompson when the last round was dominated by Cavalcante. Judges need to step up their IQ.

(+1) Prediction: Josh Thompson over JZ Cavalcante

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“Don’t be scared, homie!” were the words Nick Diaz yelled to KJ Noons after losing in the title fight while in Elite XC. Now at Strikeforce San Jose: Diaz vs. Noons II, Nick will be able to avenge his loss and KJ will be looking to take away the title again. It’ll be a great fight as both of these fighters like to put on a show. Check out the lead up on Showtime’s Collision Course (EP1, EP2, EP3). Here are my predictions: 

1. Nick Diaz ain’t scared, homie!

Nick Diaz is a fighter and he’s going to come in wanting to finish the fight that ended abruptly last time due to a cut. KJ Noons will try and prove that the first fight wasn’t a fluke and with his slick boxing, it’ll be interesting if he picks apart Nick’s face. Even if he does, Nick will continue to move forward and it’ll eventually get to the ground where he’ll be able to impose his high-level BJJ upon Noons. Expect a submission to be held a little longer after the tap.

Prediction: Nick Diaz over KJ Noons via submission

2. Josh Thompson eyeing a rubber match with Gilbert Melendez

Josh Thompson is a workhorse and what he does is wrestle very well in order to ground and pound his opponents. JZ Cavalcante will be a hard one to keep down though, but he’ll be able to do so and will be able to show wrestlers that you don’t have to be boring when you fight.

Prediction: Josh Thompson over JZ Cavalcante via TKO

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