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SB Nation Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine
Results for every fight from the undercard of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine. Nah-Shon Burrell vs. James Terry, Gian Villante vs. Trevor Smith, Chris Spang vs. Ricky Legere, and Estevan Peyan vs. Alonzo Martinez.
Jan 8, 2012 - Four fights aired on the Showtime Extreme airing of the preliminary card of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine: Nah-Shon Burrell vs. James Terry, Gian Villante vs. Trevor Smith, Chris Spang vs. Ricky Legere, and Estevan Peyan vs. Alonzo Martinez. Results for each fight from the undercard are below.
Nah-Shon Burrell Gets A Get Past James Terry
Welterweight bout: The 21-year-old Burrell nearly learned a painful lesson against a game and gritty Terry. Terry had won the first two rounds on one of the judges cards and if either of the other two judges had seen it the same way, Burrell would not be moving on with a 6 fight win streak. Burrell is a smooth and powerful striker but he didn't start really lighting Terry up until mid-way through the second round. Terry dominated the first with take downs. Burrell poured it on in the third and stunned Terry but never came close to finishing him, although it was enough to win the fight.
Official result: Nah-Shon Burrell defeats James Terry by split decision (29-28 Terry, 29-28 Burrell, 29-28 Burrell).
Gian Villante Gets Quick Stoppage Against Trevor Smith
Light heavyweight bout: Villante (8-3) benefited from a quick stoppage by Referee Kim Winslow against Smith (9-2). The former heavyweight, who had lost 2 out of his previous three fights, pounded out Smith in the first, although Smith still had plenty of fight left in him even after the stoppage. Smith brought a 5 fight win streak into the bout, but Villante wasn't intimidated. This was Smith's third fight with the promotion and his first loss. Expect him to have another chance. Villante and his two fight winning streak emerges as a contender in Strikeforce's thin LHW class.
Official result: Gian Villante defeats Trevor Smith by TKO (referee stoppage) at 1:05 of round 1.
Ricky Legere Mugs Chris Spang
Welterweight bout: Spang (4-1), a Swedish boxer/gymnist, came into this fight undefeated and carrying just a tiny bit of hype. Legere (14-4), a tough wrestler with a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was supposed to be a test for the up-and-coming striker. Well, Legere made sure that Spang failed the test by taking him down multiple times in every round and preventing Spang from beating him up on the feat. Legere landed a lot of sharp elbows but didn't do a lot more than control position. Spang threatened with a tight guillotine late in the first round and a rear naked choke late in the third but it wasn't enough.
Official result: Ricky Legere defeats Chris Spang by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Estevan Payan Smacks Alonzo Martinez Around
This was a short-notice catchweight bout between Strikeforce debutants. Payan used a wicked jab to bust up Martinez' face. Payan landed a lot of nasty 2 and 3 punch combinations as well but never really hurt the iron-chinned Martinez. Martinez was game in the pocket but way outclassed on the feet and he failed on all six of his half-hearted take down attempts. Martinez (35-16-1) is a journeyman at 27 and I'd honestly be surprised to see him back at this level. Payan (13-3) is 29 and looks like a credible addition to SF's lightweight division.
Official results: Estevan Payan defeats Alonzo Martinez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
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