Strikeforce Signing Bonanza: Manhoef, Noons, Prangley and Canadian TV Deal

The phones must have been ringing off the hook these last couple of days at the Strikeforce offices, as the San Jose-based Mixed Martial Arts promotion announced a slew of signings and a television deal that will see the December 19th Evolution card broadcast in Canada.

Melvin Manhoef, K.J. Noons and Trevor Prangley have all been added to the Strikeforce stable, and we'll cover each momentarily.

But the biggest news of the day is the deal with Canada's only national pay television network, SuperChannel. Yes, that's how we spell it.

Beginning with the December 19 card, SuperChannel will show all Strikeforce cards that are featured on Showtime in the United States. This means that instead of having to read the results on websites or stream the show to your computer, Canadian fight fans will be able to watch the event live, provided SuperChannel is part of their cable package.

I know one thing I'll definitely be asking for for Christmas now...

Somewhat overshadowed by the television deal were the acquisitions of the three aforementioned veterans, all of whom carry impressive resumes and an array of skills into the Strikeforce cage.

Though Melvin Manhoef might be unknown to new or casual MMA fans, hardcore fans know that the Dutchmen is the definition of the world striker; a fierce fighter with an attacking style straight out of K-1.

In addition to having competed in a number of K-1 kickboxing events, "No Mercy" has also knocked out Mark Hunt, the legendary Kazushi Sakuraba and the male "Cyborg" Santos, while coming out on the losing end against the likes of Paulo Filho, Gegard Mousasi and Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Those who watched EliteXC on CBS for more than just Kimbo or Carano might recall K.J. Noons, the first and only lightweight champion in the company's brief history.

The 7-2 Noons won the belt by defeating Nick Diaz before he and his father got into a bit of an in-ring scrum with both members of The Fighting Diaz Brothers back in June 2008. For months, a rematch between Noons and the elder Diaz was rumored and offered, but instead of re-upping with Nick, Noons returned to boxing.

Now, "King Karl" returns to the cage and the talk of a rematch with Diaz will undoubtedly surface again, though there are two very good reasons why it won't likely happen:

Diaz is fighting at welterweight and middleweight these days, so making the cut to 155 or finding an amicable catch weight is probably out
Diaz would rather smoke weed than fight, no matter who the opponent

Getting the least attention of the trio of signing is Trevor Prangley, a UFC veteran who was recently stripped of the MFC Light Heavyweight title.

For what it's worth, Prangley replaced the Canadian company's gold with the Shark Fights version of the same belt this past weekend, stopping Marcus Sursa via rear naked choke.

Though the South African veteran and American Kickboxing Academy member is getting the least amount of press, he could be the first to take to the cage, as rumor has him stepping in for Benji Radach against "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler in two week's time.

All in all, a very exciting and interesting day for the steadily-improving Strikeforce organization.





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Which Paulo Filho Will Show Up?

Bright and early tomorrow morning, DREAM 10 takes place from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

While the headlining act is the semi-finals and finals of the Welterweight Grand Prix, perhaps the most interesting bout on the card pits Dutch knockout artist Melvin Manhoef against one of MMA's greatest enigmas, Paulo Filho.

A year and a half ago, Filho was undefeated, with a record of 16-0, and had successfully defended his WEC Welterweight title for the first time. The man was on a roll.

Then the wheels fell off.

Controversy surrounded his first title defense, as Chael Sonnen argued that he had never tapped to the armbar Filho had locked in tight, so a rematch was slated for WEC 34. However, the fight would be postponed as Filho had apparently checked into rehab.

Two months later and eleven months after their first fight, Filho resurfaced in horrible shape, failing to make weight and changing the title rematch into a three round anti-climactic end to the WEC Welterweight division.

Sonnen dominated from the opening bell, as Filho looked confused and uninterested in fighting. That was the last time Paulo Filho was seen in the ring, creating a number of intriguing questions for tomorrow morning's tilt with Manhoef.

Exactly which Paulo Filho is going to show up?

Will it be the guy who stormed to the 16-0 mark already mentioned with wins over the likes of Ryo Chonan, Kazuo Misaki and Murilo "Ninja" Rua or the out of shape, unimpressive version that collected his first career loss the last time out?

My guess is that the old Paulo Filho shows up, ready for action and refocused on his fighting career. Sending any other version into the ring with a striker as dangerous as Manhoef would be a real mistake.

Unfortunately, the truth is that your guess is as good as mine and we won't know until tomorrow morning whether Paulo Filho is back to being a forced to be reckoned with at 155 or a cautionary tale of things gone wrong.

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The return of Filho against Melvin Manhoef might be the most intriguing matchup on the DREAM 10 card, but it is far from the only fight of note.

Welterweight Grand Prix Semi Finals

Jason High (7-1) vs. Andre Galvao (3-0)

High made quick work of Yuya Shirai in the opening round, but going to the mat against Galvao would be a big mistake. The Team Nogueira fighter is a submission specialist with terrific BJJ, having stopped all three opponents via armbar thus far in his career.

As much as I like Jason High and think he has a bright future, Galvao's star is shining a little bit brighter.

Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (35-8-2) vs. Marius Zaromskis (9-2-0)

All you need to know is this: Sakurai crushed Shinya Aoki in 27 seconds in the opening round, while Zaromskis earned a decision over Seichi Ikemoto.

When in doubt, stick with the guy with the proven track record coming off the dominating win.

Should things shake out the way I think they will, Galvao will be a solid test for Sakurai in the finals, but I still favor the veteran.

Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (20-2-0) vs. Shinya Aoki (20-4-0)

If you want to see sick submission attempts and top notch grappling, this fight will deliver in spades.

While I'll never be completely sold on Aoki until he performs some of his slick submissions without his Magic Grappling Pants, there is no questioning the flexibility and skill set possessed by "The Tobikan Judan" or "Shaolin" either for that matter. Ribeiro's two losses are to Gesias "JZ Calvan" Cavalcante and Tatsuya Kawajiri, whom he also holds a victory over.

There most recent fights would indicate an advantage for Ribeiro, as he dominated Katsuhiko Nagata, while Aoki was defeated in 27 seconds by "Mach" Sakurai, but something tells me the return to lightweight and the homefield advantage will play in Aoki's favor.

Additionally, Andre "Dida" Amade takes on Katsunori Kikuno, while Dong Sik Yoon faces TUF 7 alum Jesse "JT Money" Taylor.

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