The Strikeforce/M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Henderson fight card had its share of entertaining moments for MMA fans. The main event between Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson, and MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko was as entertaining as fans had hoped, ending with a spectacular first round knockout.

Dan Henderson defeats Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor looked good in the opening moments of the fight, rushing Henderson with combinations. Henderson fired back with shots of his own before securing the clinch. As the fight went on, Fedor rushed Henderson with another barrage of punches that sent him to the ground. Luckily for Henderson, he was able to execute a beautiful switch and take Fedor’s back. A big uppercut from behind, sent Fedor to the ground, and a few more punches from Henderson forced referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.

Miesha Tate defeats Marloes Coenen

Miesha Tate lived up to the high expectations she placed on herself, dominating Coenen with her wrestling skills for a majority of the fight. In the fourth round, Tate secured an arm-triangle, forcing Coenen to tap out for the first time in her MMA career.

Tim Kennedy defeats Robbie Lawler

Kennedy initially struggled with his takedowns early in the MMA fight, but eventually found his rhythm. Kenny was able to grind Lawler out for three rounds, earning himself the unanimous decision.

Tyron Woodley defeats Paul Daley

This was an impressive victory for Woodley who improved his MMA record to 9-0 with the win over Daley. Woodley was able to control Daley in the clinch, stealing the first two rounds with his cage control. Daley came back hard in the third round, throwing heavy shots at Woodley. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as all three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Woodley.

Tarec Saffiedine defeats Scott Smith

Very one-sided MMA fight as Saffiedine embarrassed Smith for three rounds, earning the easy unanimous decision. With his performance against Saffiedine on July 30, Smith’s days with the Strikeforce promotion are probably numbered.

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The Strikeforce/M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Henderson event should be another entertaining night of MMA fights. The card is stacked with many heavy punchers, and MMA fans should be in for some devastating knockouts. Here are my predictions for the Strikeforce/M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Henderson MMA event, scheduled for July 30.

Dan Henderson versus Fedor Emelianenko

This is a favorable matchup for Fedor who has struggled in his last two MMA fights. Not make any excuses for “The Last Emperor,” but his loss to Fabricio Werdum was due to carelessness, and size was the biggest factor in his fight against Antonio Silva. Fedor should do better against the smaller Henderson and get back to his winning ways.

Marloes Coenen versus Miesha Tate

Tate’s wrestling will help her control the MMA fight, and her submission defense is good enough to keep her safe from Coenen for five rounds. Tate wins by decision.

Robbie Lawler versus Tim Kennedy

This should be an interesting fight between two evenly matched MMA fighters. Lawler experience against top notch MMA fighters will be his biggest advantage against Kennedy. Lawler wins by TKO.

Paul Daley versus Tyron Woodley

Unfortunately for Woodley, his undefeated MMA record will probably come to an end when he meets Daley inside the cage on July 30. Daley takedown defense is solid, and Woodley will have a hard time taking and keeping Daley on the ground. Daley wins by KO.

Scott Smith versus Tarec Saffiedine

Smith’s knockout power should come in handy against Saffiedine. As long as Smith is able to keep the MMA fight standing, he shouldn’t have any problems walking away with the win. Smith wins by KO.

Undercard

Bobby Green defeats Gesias Cavalcante

Julie Kedzie defeats Alexis Davis

Derek Brunson defeats Lumumba Sayers

Eduardo Pamplona defeats Tyler Stinson

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It’s hard to find a fighter in the short history of MMA that has rubbed fans the wrong way like Chael Sonnen has. A mediocre MMA fighter at best in his WEC days, Sonnen made a name for himself with his antics leading up to his UFC 117 fight against middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Sonnen solidified his status as a popular figure in the sport, surprisingly taking Silva down at will and outwrestling the champ. Sonnen, a well known critic of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu eventually succumbed to a triangle/armbar combination in the final round of the MMA fight.

News that Sonnen tested positive for PED’s turned many MMA fans against him after UFC 117, yet Sonnen remained defiant, seemingly willing to go after anybody in the sport.

While I’m not the biggest Sonnen fan in the world, it’s hard not to give Sonnen credit for his marketing savvy. Anytime I hear Sonnen go on one of his ridiculous rants, undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather always comes to mind.

Sonnen like Mayweather has figured out how financially rewarding hate can be especially in today’s social climate. Mayweather has been one of boxing’s few life lines in the past several years, bringing the sport back to life every time he competes.

Fans don’t shell out money every time Mayweather fights because they want to support boxing or enjoy a good fight; they order the fight because they would love to see Mayweather get smashed. That marketing strategy has brought Mayweather some of the biggest purses in the history of combat sports.

Hate also worked well for the NBA during the 2010/11 season. The league enjoyed a financially rewarding year, thanks to the hatred of LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Like others, Sonnen has also figured out that being a villain is arguably the best role in sports. It’s rather obvious Sonnen’s recent attacks on Brazilians, multiple people with the last name Silva (besides UFC matchmaker Joe Silva), and everyone different from him, is nothing different from Floyd Mayweather talking trash before a fight. As long as Sonnen backs up his words inside the Octagon, he has the potential to become the biggest draw in MMA.

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