Strikeforce Houston was more like Strikeforce Brazil last night, what with the crowning of two new Brazilian champions, Jacare Souza and Rafael Feijao.  Souza earned the vacant MW title by outpointing American special forces veteran Tim Kennedy and Feijao stunned the MMA world (but not our own Dallas Winston) by brutally knocking out LHW champion King Mo Lawal to take the title.


In the Kennedy vs. Jacare fight, Tim was just never able to find the right range.  Jacare was able to keep him at bay with a swarming jab and snapping front kicks, and every time Kennedy came inside Jacare would make him pay.  The fight was close, however, and Kennedy did have his moments, but Jacare clearly won on points.  Perhaps the outcome would have been different if Tim Kennedy stayed even further away from Jacare, say about 1000 yards.  Unfortunately, sniper rifles are not allowed into Houston's Toyota Center, so that option was not available to Tim, who has done six combat tours in the Middle East. 


The main event, King Mo vs. Feijao, was also a war.  I know Tim Kennedy scoffs at people calling MMA fights wars, but I'm going to do it anyway.  King Mo and Feijao traded "bombs" for two rounds (there I go again) and in the third Feijao landed big punches and a knee that hurt Mo and caused him to shoot for the takedown.  Feijao was able to resist, however, and he landed some precision elbow strikes which further dazed Mo and caused referee Big John McCarthy to step in and call a halt to the fight.


Afterwards, King Mo was philisophical about the loss, saying:  “I just got to make a few adjustments.  He fought a hell of a fight, but I’m not worried. I’ll come back stronger.”  There is little reason to doubt Lawal, who trains constantly and is always improving.


Complete results and pics after the jump.

Complete STRIKEFORCE: Houston Results:

STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight Championship

Rafael Feijao def. “King Mo” Lawal – KO (elbows) – Round 3 (1:14)

STRIKEFORCE World Middleweight Championship

Jacare Souza def. Tim Kennedy – Unanimous Decision – 49-46, 48-47 twice.

KJ Noons def. Jorge Gurgel – KO (strikes)– Round 2 (:19)

Chad Griggs def. Bobby Lashley – TKO – End of Round 2

NON-TELEVISED UNDERCARD

Daniel Cormier def. Jason Riley – Submission  (strikes) – Round 1 (1:02)

Andre Galvao – def. Jorge “Macaco” Patino – TKO (strikes) – Round 3 (2:45)

Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes – def. Rocky Long – Unanimous Decision – 29-28, 30-27, 30-27.

Adam Schindler def. Kier Gooch – Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Reynaldo “The Truth” Trujillo def. Jose Santibanez – TKO (Strikes)

Chad “Robo” Robichaux def. Humberto DeLeon – Split Decision – 29-28 (Robichaux), 29-28 (DeLeon), 29-28 (Robichaux)

Artenas Young def. Chad Cook, – Unanimous decision – 30-27, 298-28, 30-27

(Pics by Esther Lin/Strikeforce)
(HT: Strikeforce.com)

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