Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy Results

Gold on the line.

Follow us on YouTube (TheSportsCourier) and Twitter: @DaSportsCourier

Check out our video interview with former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal.

Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.

Main Card on Showtime at 10pm/ET

Strikeforce middleweight championship: Luke Rockhold (10-1)  def. Tim Kennedy (14-4) via unanimous decision to retain the title (49-46 across the board). 

Solid fight. Rockhold's size and reach definitely played a huge part in his victory. Kennedy couldn't keep Rockhold on the ground, although he did nearly take his back at one point. Overall, you could give Kennedy one round if you want to be generous. The Greg Jackson-Mike Winkeljohn product just didn't have a sense of urgency in Round Five, even though it seemed clear Rockhold was leading the scorecards. As impressive as Rockhold looked, he didn't look like someone that could beat the UFC middleweight division's upper echelon of fighters.

Vacant Strikeforce welterweight championship: Nate Marquardt (32-10-2) def. Tyron Woodley (10-1) via knockout at 1:39 of Round Four to win the title. 

This was fight of the night. Great fight that showcased Marquardt's dominance via his extensive MMA experience, striking prowess, and size advantage. TRT or no TRT (Marquardt says he's no longer on testosterone replacement therapy), Marquardt looked like a killer. Woodley hung in there and even staggered Marquardt a couple of times, but in the end, he ate huge elbows ala Chris Weidman-Mark Munoz, followed by some uppercuts from hell to suffer his first MMA loss.

The ref did inexplicably stand up the fighters in Round Three, even though Woodley was on top working. That may have cost him the round, but the fight was clearly controlled by Marquardt, even if he was staggered early in the opening round (he obviously and quickly recovered). Poor Woodley's family was at ringside to witness the brutal knockout. Post-fight, Marquardt said Woodley has a family and children and because of that, he's a champion. 

Middleweight bout: Roger Gracie (5-1) def. Keith Jardine (17-11-2) via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-26). 

This fight sucked. It was sad to watch Jardine get pummeled and bloodied, as he has in all three of his Strikeforce fights--none of which he's won.

Middleweight bout: Lorenz Larkin (13-0, 1 NC) def. Robbie Lawler (19-9, 1 NC) via unanimous decision. 

Larkin originally missed weight by a half pound as well, but shed it off within the two additional hours he was given by the commission. Big win for Larkin in his middleweight debut over a proven veteran.

Prelims on Showtime Extreme at 8pm/ET

Lightweight bout: Pat Healy (28-16) def. Mizuto Hirota (14-5-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Post-fight, Healy called out Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. Healy could certainly be next in line, considering Melendez isn't too keen on a fourth fight with Josh Thomson. 

Lightweight bout: Jorge Masvidal (23-7) def. Justin Wilcox (11-5) via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27). 

Welterweight bout: Jordan Mein (24-8) def. Tyler Stinson (24-9) via unanimous decision (30-27 across the board). 

Lightweight bout: Ryan Couture (5-1) def. Joe Duarte (10-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).