Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg (Predictions)

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Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg is to be held in San Jose, California on August 15, 2009. The event will air live on the Showtime cable network.

The main event features Gina Carano taking on Cristiane Santos for the inaugural Strikeforce Women’s Championship which is contested at 145 pounds (66 kg).

Five minute rounds will be featured for all fights including the women’s bouts.

Joe Riggs pulled out of his bout with Nick Diaz on July 23, 2009 due to suffering an adverse reaction to a drug. Diaz was then slated to face Jay Hieron for the Welterweight Championship belt. However, Diaz missed a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission and was denied a license to compete. Diaz has now been replaced with former Ultimate Fighter contestant Jesse Taylor and the fight is now a non-title bout.

Renato Sobral was to face off against Gegard Mousasi at Affliction: Trilogy on August 1, 2009, but the match was scrapped following the cancellation of the event. The fight was then moved to Strikeforce’s August 15 card and changed to be a title fight for Strikeforce’s Light-Heavyweight Championship belt, which was already held by Sobral..

A previously reported bout featuring Roger Gracie will not take place as Gracie has backed out of the match.

Alistair Overeem was rumoured to defend his Heavyweight championship belt against Brett Rogers, but it was announced that he would defend the belt against Fabricio Werdum instead. Ultimately Overeem had to pull out of the bout due to lingering issues with a hand injury. Werdum was to remain on the card and face a new opponent, however it was later reported that he will also not be featured at the event. Later it was reported that he will indeed be on the card and face off against Mike Kyle.

Josh Thomson will be unable to defend his title due to a lingering injury. Mitsuhiro Ishida will face Gilbert Melendez for the Interim title.

A previously announced bout featuring Erin Toughill has been called off. She is the reserve fighter in case either Gina or Cris are unable to fight.

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Weigh-in Results:
Female 145-Pound Championship: Gina Carano (143) vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (144.5)
Light Heavyweight Championship: Renato “Babalu” Sobral (201) vs. Gegard Mousasi (204)
Interim Lightweight Championship bout: Gilbert Melendez (155) vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida (155)
Welterweight bout: Jay Hieron (169) vs. Jesse Taylor (*169.5)
Heavyweight bout: Fabricio Werdum (228) vs. Mike Kyle (219)
Light Heavyweight bout: Mike Cook (205) vs. Scott Lighty (202)
Lightweight bout: David Douglas (156) vs. Justin Wilcox (154)
Welterweight bout: Zak Bucia (170) vs. James Terry (169)
Lightweight bout: Isaiah Hill (156) vs. Alexander Trevino (156)

* Taylor made weight on his second attempt after being one pound over.