Strikeforce ‘Rockhold vs. Kennedy’ Preview

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Lightweights

Pat Healy (27-16, 5-1 SF) vs. Mizuto Hirota (14-4-1, 0-0 SF): Thanks to his recent winning streak, Healy has gone a long way toward shedding the journeyman label assigned to him for much of his career. The Team Quest product is scrappy and resilient, and he thrives on capitalizing on his opponents’ miscues. If Healy can get past Deep 155-pound kingpin Hirota, Strikeforce brass will have little choice but to give the 43-fight veteran his shot at Gilbert Melendez. While Hirota has captured a pair of decision victories since Shinya Aoki broke his arm with a hammerlock in 2009, it remains to be seen if he is the same fighter he was before that gruesome injury. Healy wins a decision, getting the best of scrambles and transitions while putting his size advantage to good use.

Lightweights

Jorge Masvidal (22-7, 4-1 SF) vs. Justin Wilcox (11-4, 5-2 SF): Fresh off his five-round decision defeat to Melendez in December, Masvidal remains one of game’s most underrated lightweight competitors. Wilcox must rebound from a shocking 13-second knockout at the hands of Caros Fodor on that same card. Wilcox is physically imposing with solid wrestling and boxing, but “Gamebred” is well-rounded enough to keep this fight upright. Masvidal wins by late TKO or decision.

Welterweights

Jason High (15-3, 2-0 SF) vs. Nate Moore (8-2, 2-1 SF): Moore has been away from action for a year-and-a-half since knocking out Nathan Coy in January 2011. The American Kickboxing Academy representative will have to slow the takedown-heavy attack of High, who has won six straight since exiting the UFC in 2010. High maintains a fast pace and batters Moore with steady ground-and-pound to earn a decision.

Lightweights

Ryan Couture (4-1, 4-1 SF) vs. Joe Duarte (10-2, 2-0 SF): Couture continues to improve, as he got the best of Conor Heun both on the feet and on the ground en route to a third-round TKO victory at Strikeforce “Tate vs. Rousey” in March. He could experience some difficulty dictating the action against Duarte, a large lightweight. The Arena product likes to stand and bang, but he can also shift gears with takedowns and top control. Couture holds on for a narrow decision verdict.

Welterweights

Jordan Mein (24-8, 1-1 SF) vs. Tyler Stinson (23-8, 1-1 SF): This should be an action-packed affair, as both men have aggressive standup and active submission games. Stinson is a quick starter, so Mein must be prepared to weather the storm early. Both fighters are fairly durable, but in the heat of a back-and-forth battle, someone is going to make a costly mistake. Stinson wins by submission in round two.