Strikeforce Challengers 16 Preview

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Lightweights
Ryan Couture (2-0, 2-0 SF) vs. Matt Ricehouse (4-0, 2-0 SF)

The Matchup: In any vocation, being the son of a legend is never easy. Thus far, Couture seems to have handled it well enough. With each performance, he puts a little more separation between the “Son of Randy Couture” billing and adds his own stylistic stamp on who he is and how he fights.

In his two-fight professional career, the younger Couture has shown a decent guard and solid submissions, and he seems adept in the clinch. Ricehouse, also unbeaten, is an interesting match for him because and unbeaten fighter does not yet know how to lose. Ricehouse won his Strikeforce debut via unanimous decision in December.

Neither man has shown much more than limited standup thus far, though, with raw prospects, that can evolve rapidly. Assuming someone does not catch lightning in a bottle, their battle will come down to what most fights at this juncture of careers do -- wrestling and the ability to control from the top. Ricehouse’s edge in experience and nothing-to-lose attitude should motivate him to put the hurt on Couture as soon as possible. From what we have seen of Ricehouse, he seems to have decent but not killer-level wrestling and takedowns.

The Pick: Couture should have enough ability to control in the clinch and from his back to take a late submission or decision in a tough bout.

Jason Probst can be reached at [email protected] or twitter.com/jasonprobst.