Strikeforce Results: ‘Marquardt vs. Saffiedine’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Strikeforce Fight Card

• Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine LATEST UPDATE
• Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring
• Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino
• Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle
• Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Ed Herman
• Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons
• Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith
• Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh
• Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith
• Jorge Gurgel vs. Adriano Martins
• Estevan Payan vs. Michael Bravo

Sherdog.com will report from the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City at approximately 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with play-by-play and live results of Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine,” which is headlined by a welterweight title fight pitting champion Nate Marquardt against Tarec Saffiedine.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Estevan Payan def. Michael Bravo via TKO (Punches) R2 4:01

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Adriano Martins def. Jorge Gurgel via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith

Round 1
John McCarthy is the referee for tonight’s first televised bout. The middleweights feel the distance with jabs, then Smith starts looking for hooks and uppercuts. He denies a takedown from Gracie with the help of the fence and starts working some outside leg kicks. Gracie inches forward, covering up when Smith sticks his fist in the Brazilian’s face. Smith backs his man off with a front kick, then kicks at the legs again, chopping away at the outside of Gracie’s lead leg. With about 80 seconds left in the round, Smith takes a poke in the eye, but he quickly recovers. Smith catches a front kick from Gracie and goes back to low-kicking. Smith is still throwing hands when the horn sounds.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Smith
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smith
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Smith

Round 2
Smith comes aggressive with his punches to start the second round but soon catches what appears to be another finger in the eye. Smith is blinking and covering his right eye as Gracie walks him down and clinches up with underhooks on the fence. Knees up the middle from Gracie precede a double-leg at the base of the cage. Side control for Gracie now, quickly followed by full mount. Gracie has two minutes to work with as he frames up an arm-triangle choke. He’s got it cinched up and he hops off to Smith’s right. Gracie cranks the choke and this is a wrap. Smith taps out at 3:16 of the second round.

Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh

Round 1
Kevin Nix is the ref in charge of this bout. The lightweights get right into close quarters and start throwing hands, and a punch sends Healy scrambling for a takedown. He pops back up and gets shoved into the fence by Holobaugh, who eats a knee up the middle before they disengage. Holobaugh keeps throwing punches and leg kicks, walking down Healy, who changes levels and takes Holobaugh down. Healy stacks him against the fence and gets his arm trapped between Holobaugh’s legs. Healy goes to step over the top to free himself, but this allows Holobaugh to grab for a toehold. Healy weathers the sub attempt and keeps top position, setting up in half-guard on Holobaugh’s right side. Holobaugh throws a few elbows from the bottom while Healy works to pass. Now it’s Holobaugh scrambling to his feet, where Healy immediately goes for a single-leg. Holobaugh turns the corner and tries to leap on Healy’s back with 45 seconds remaining. Healy slips out and turns the tables, attaching himself to Holobaugh’s back and locking up a standing rear-naked choke. It’s not under the chin, and Holobaugh is able to ride it out until the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy

Round 2
Holobaugh looks to punch over the top and swings a few leg kicks before being taken down 30 seconds into the frame. He gives up his back and Healy is quickly on there with a body triangle, although riding high. Holobaugh postures up, trying to shake Healy off and slip out the backdoor. He loses Healy, but “Bam Bam” stays on top, first grabbing for a leg and then looking to secure Holobaugh’s back again. Holobaugh drops down on top of Healy and twists around, trying to take top position, but Healy is all over it and sweeps to the top. Healy has the makings of a reverse triangle choke, and he punches behind him at Holobaugh’s trapped head. Healy gives up the choke and finishes the round on top.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy

Round 3
Holobaugh ducks a punch from Healy and goes to the body. He puts a left cross on Healy’s chin, another right to the ribs. Healy shoots and Holobaugh sprawls on it this time, then attempts to step over the top for an armbar. Healy slips out and takes top control off the failed attempt. Holobaugh loops his arm around Healy’s waist from underneath, locks up Healy’s left arm in an omoplata and lands a few punches. Healy gets his arm loose and he’s back in control on top. Arm-triangle attempt from Healy now, but he’s stepped off to Holobaugh’s left side, where the cage is limiting Healy’s space. Healy gets a little more room, but Holobaugh turns into the choke and gets free. Forty seconds left now and Healy looks like he’ll be able to ride it out controlling Holobaugh’s back. Healy is looking for a last-second twister, but Holobaugh slips out and the lightweights finish throwing punches on the ground.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy (30-27 Healy)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Healy (30-27 Healy)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy (30-27 Healy)

Official result: Judge Don Turnage scores the bout 29-28, while Jim Lambert and Ellis Moore see it 30-27, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Pat Healy.

Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith

Round 1
Smith catches a kick and has Kennedy on the ground inside the first minute of the opening round. Kennedy backs up to the fence and uses it to get back to his feet, but Smith stays on him and punches at the Army ranger’s body as he pushes him against the cage. Kennedy gets off a few knees in the clinch and escapes the next time Smith changes levels for a takedown. Kennedy rocks Smith’s head back with a big uppercut, so Smith drives forward for another takedown. Kennedy again uses the fence to stand, and now he turns the tables, trying to take Smith down. Smith grabs the fence to stay up and limp-legs out of the shot. Kennedy lands an uppercut, a body kick and clinches up. Smith delivers a knee up the middle which catches Kennedy in the cup, and the action is paused with 90 seconds left in the round. Kennedy takes a minute to recover and they’re back to business. Smith pumps a jab and flicks out a leg kick before driving on another single-leg. Smith shoots again but can’t keep Kennedy down and finishes the round clinching on the fence.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Kennedy

Round 2
Smith quickly shoots in and brings down Kennedy, who escapes and gets underhooks on the feet. He trips the legs out from underneath Smith and lands on top, in half-guard on Smith’s left. Smith drives through Kennedy’s legs, trying for a takedown, but some good balance keeps Kennedy on top, sprawling. Kennedy drills Smith’s ribs with elbows as Smith continues to work for the takedown. With a minute to go, ref Mark Carter stands them up. Smith catches a kick and goes for another single-leg, and they’re right back in the same position.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Kennedy

Round 3
Kennedy is blasting Smith with uppercuts and knees as “Hot Sauce” comes in, looking for another single-leg. Smith pulls Kennedy away from the fence and it gives Kennedy space to loop his arm around Smith’s head. Kennedy forces Smith to the ground and cranks on the guillotine, flipping Smith onto his back. It’s tight, and Smith has no choice but to tap out at 1:36 of the third round.

Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons

Round 1
Don Turnage is the referee for this lightweight tilt. Noons takes the center of the cage while Couture shuffles around the outside. Couture scores with a few leg kicks and Noons throws straight punches to the body. They clinch briefly and Couture lands a hard knee to the body. Noons is looking for an uppercut while; Couture keeps circling and coming inside to throw leg kicks. A few good right hands from Noons have Couture rethinking a clinch. Noons is sparking Couture with right hands as Couture tries a spinning assault. A straight punch from Couture connects at the same time as a harder uppercut from Noons. With 10 seconds left, Couture misses a high kick, but lands a sharp spinning follow-up kick to Noon’s chest. Noons shoves Couture to the ground and rushes in, catching the grounded Couture with a knee just before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Noons
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Noons
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Noons

Round 2
Noons stalks from the center of the cage, punching at the body of Couture, who’s moving a little slower around the outside now. Couture kicks the body of Noons and ducks in to strike, and the lightweights clash heads. Noons is bleeding from his forehead instantly and complains to the ref, but he’s told to fight on. Couture rushes at him, misses a head kick and drops Noons with a short right hand. Noons pops right back up, eats kick to the ribs and stings Couture with a right uppercut. Noons smells blood and chases Couture down, bombing with more uppercuts. Couture is dazed, just barely staying up as he moves around the perimeter.

He takes everything Noons has to offer and zaps K.J. back with a knee. Couture seems to have recovered with 90 seconds left in the frame.

Couture tries to blitz Noons and gets countered with more big uppercuts. Couture is coming in aggressive with knees, spinning kicks and punches, but Noons is more accurate with his shots down the stretch.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Noons
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Noons
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Noons

Round 3
Couture is throwing leg kicks and trying to stay out of range of Noon’s big uppercut counters. A single-leg attempt from Couture is slipped by Noons, who takes a knee to the body as he escapes. Noons backs Couture away with a straight punch to the body, walks him down and follows up with a right hand. Couture slips on a high kick but Noons doesn’t give chase. Good right hand from Couture has Noons circling out; the boxer is quickly back in front of Couture, throwing hands. Couture is coming forward, giving Noons what he wants - an angle to throw his right-handed counter-punches. The horn sounds and both men march around the cage with their arms raised.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Couture (29-28 Noons)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Noons (30-27 Noons)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Noons (30-27 Noons)

Official result: Judge Nick Atwood scores the bout 29-28 Couture, while Bobby Higdon sees it 30-27 Noons. The final judge, Jim Lambert, has it 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Ryan Couture.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Ed Herman

Round 1
Herman starts off with some leg kicks and then sticks a jab in Jacare’s face. The jiu-jitsu ace puts Herman on the fence briefly, but they soon split. Jacare plows Herman to the canvas in the middle of the cage and Herman goes for a heel hook. While Jacare is trying to extract his leg, Herman catches him with an illegal upkick. Referee Mark Carter tells Herman that he’s not taking a point and they quickly restart on the feet. Jacare sticks a stiff right straight in Herman’s face, then another. Souza grabs the Thai plum and catches Herman with a knee, backs up and kicks Herman in the face.

Another big takedown from Jacare follows and now he works from cross-side control on Herman’s left. He reaches across and cranks a nasty kimura on Herman’s right arm, quickly forcing Herman to submit. The official time is 3:10 of the first round.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle

Round 1
Mousasi chops at Kyle’s leg and puts a left hand in the American’s face. Kyle grabs the Thai plum and throws knees while Mousasi punches over the top and then drops for a double-leg. Kyle shoves him off Kyle ducks a left hook and has a high kick blocked. Two minutes into the round, Mousasi hits a takedown and sets up in Kyle’s closed guard. Kyle tries to wrap Mousasi up while Mousasi punches through the guard. Mousasi takes full mount with 80 seconds remaining and starts dropping heavy punches. Kyle gives up his back and Mousasi is quick to slap on a rear-naked choke.

Kyle appears to tap once, but ref Don Turnage lets it continue. Kyle taps again, and now it’s over. Mousasi gets the submission win via RNC at 4:09 of round one.

Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino

Round 1
Barnett gets inside, grabs a waistlock and drags Guelmino to the floor within the first 20 seconds. Guelmino closes up his guard, so Barnett stands, throws a few punches to the body and drops back for a leglock. Guelmino extracts his leg and tries to scramble up, only to surrender his back. Rear waistlock for Barnett as the heavyweights stand against the fence. He drags Guelmino down and goes straight to full mount, frames up an easy arm-triangle choke and squeezes. Even before Barnett can hop off to the side, Guelmino taps out at 2:11 of round one.

Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring

Round 1
Seconds after the start of the bout, ref John McCarthy warns Staring to close the fingers on his outstretched hand. Staring tries to tie up, backs out and eats a chopping low kick. Cormier wraps Staring up with over-unders now and whips him to the floor, straight into side control, leaning from Staring’s right to left. Cormier drops elbows on Staring’s face, then isolates the left arm for a crucifix. Staring gets the arm loose and gets to his feet. The Dutchman looks tired already as Cormier rushes him with punches, then hits another takedown to side control. More elbows from the top and Staring loses his mouthpiece just before scrambling up. Another takedown for Cormier quickly leads to full mount, but he’s got less than a minute left in the round. Cormier grinds away with short elbows on top, then sits up and throws punches before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Cormier
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Cormier
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Cormier

Round 2
Cormier works Staring on the fence for a moment, lets him go. Staring decides to clinch up and gets tripped to the floor by Cormier, who’s quickly back into side control. Staring gets to his knees and Cormier spins around, looking to secure back mount. He can’t get it as Staring rolls through, leaving Cormier back in side-control. Big right hands from Cormier, a few of which seem to stray to the back of Staring’s head, drawing a warning from ref McCarthy. Back to full mount, Cormier seems to consider a kimura, lets it go and resumes dropping punches. More punches land on the back of the turtling Staring’s head, but it’s already over.

McCarthy steps in to wave it off at 4:02 of round two.

Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine

Round 1
John McCarthy is the referee for tonight’s main event. Saffiedine strikes first with an outside leg kick to Marquardt, who’s taken the center of the cage. Marquardt stuffs a right hand in Saffiedine’s face as the “Sponge” comes in to kick. Now a kick to the leg and a sidekick to the body lands for Marquardt. Two minutes into the opening round and they’re still feeling out the range. Marquardt rushes forward and gets dropped by a short Saffiedine counter punch. “Nate the Great” pops back up and they clinch on the fence momentarily, until Marquardt tries to exit with a vicious standing elbow that misses. Marquardt charges at Saffiedine with hard punches but Saffiedine sidesteps him and puts the UFC vet on the fence. Marquardt tries a standing arm-triangle, can’t get it and Saffiedine presses him on the fence again.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine

Round 2
Saffiedine sprawls on a single-leg attempt, then tries to stay up on one leg when Marquardt hikes the leg. Saffiedine goes down, pops back up and puts Marquardt on the fence again. Marquardt gets the outside after a struggle and goes for another single-leg. He stalls out and ref John McCarthy opts to restart them with two minutes remaining. Saffiedine sets up low kicks with pawing punches before Marquardt charges him and tries for another single-leg on the fence. Again, Saffiedine denies the takedown and gets off the cage. More leg kicks from the Sponge and he clocks Marquardt with a right hand up top. Marquardt tries a spinning kick just before the horn and falls down.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine

Round 3
The third round quickly turns into more grappling on the fence, drawing boos from the Oklahoma City crowd. Marquardt wants a takedown and works for it sporadically. Saffiedine appears content just to stay vertical and make Marquardt pay with knees inside. They break and Marquardt misses with a flying knee. Saffiedine pushes him against the fence with underhooks, not doing much. They disengage. Marquardt sneaks a straight left through, answered immediately by an outside low kick. Saffiedine covers up to block Marquardt’s jabs, then gives him a nod and another leg kick. Marquardt shoots, comes up short and stands up, only to be met by knees from Saffiedine before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine

Round 4
Marquardt is looking to punch as they enter the championship rounds, but Saffiedine stays out of range and offers more leg kicks in return. Marquardt’s leg is looking rough and red, and it’s buckling a bit with every kick Saffiedine throws. Marquardt comes forward to throw, and Saffiedine just covers up until the punches relent, then attacks with more kicks. Marquardt tries to catch one and go for a takedown, but Saffiedine pulls back. He shoves Marquardt against the cage, doesn’t do much before they split. Saffiedine finishes the round pushing Marquardt against the fence, further busting up the champion’s left leg with knees.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine

Round 5
Saffiedine controls Marquardt on the fence in the early part of the final round. Marquardt gets away and Saffiedine just keeps going after the gruesome, bruised leg. Marquardt is finally checking kicks, but it’s far too late. Marquardt gets the outside position, clinching Saffiedine on the fence, but he can’t muster anything, instead eating short punches underneath from Saffiedine. Again, Marquardt leans on Saffiedine against the fence. This time, Saffiedine is able to get out with ease, throwing a knee as he escapes. Down to the final minute of the bout and Saffiedine drives Marquardt to the canvas with a huge slam. Saffiedine looks to briefly consider an arm-triangle, lets go and instead finishes out the round punching from top position. We’re going to the judges’ scorecards and Saffiedine should be getting his first major MMA title.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine (50-45 Saffiedine)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine (50-45 Saffiedine)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Saffiedine (50-45 Saffiedine)

Official result: Judge Bobby Higdon scores the bout 48-47, while judges Don Turnage and Jim Lambert have it 49-46, all for the winner by unanimous decision and new Strikeforce welterweight champion, Tarec Saffiedine.