There will only be four fights on the main card due to the cancellation of Robbie Lawler's fight against Trevor Prangley due to an injury by Prangley.
Cung Le vs Scott Smith
I give the edge to Le even though he has not been in a fight for almost two years. Le is faster and more explosive than Smith. He will use his quickness in the fight and keep the distance with his kicks.
Smith wants to use some dirty boxing and get into a slugfest but Le needs to avoid those exchanges as much as possible. Everyone expects a knockout in this fight so it will probably go to a decision just like the Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander fight.
My pick is Le by TKO in the second round.
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez
Just like Le, Thomson will have ring rust. Melendez looks like he has improved since his loss to Thomson in their first match. Thomson convincingly won that fight by decision after five rounds. This is a huge fight for both guys, and the winner might get to face Shinya Aoki next year.
This fight will be a lot more competitive than their first match-up and I give the edge to Melendez because Thomson will get tired in the later rounds. I don't think either man will be able to finish the other.
This match will go five rounds again and Melendez will get his revenge by split decision.
Ronaldo Jacare Souza vs. Matt Lindland
This looks to be another competitive match-up. Jacare's wins mostly come by submission. Lindland has lost two of his last three fights but the opponents he lost to were Fedor Emelianenko and Vitor Belfort.
The winner of this middleweight fight will be closer to a title shot. My pick is Lindland by split decision.
King Mo Lawal vs. Mike Whitehead
This is the Strikeforce debut for Lawal. Whitehead weighed 261 pounds at the weigh-ins this afternoon while Lawal was only 218 pounds. Lawal will have the quickness edge over Whitehead.
Whitehead is a very tough veteran but I am going with Lawal in this fight. Lawal wins by KO in the first round.
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