Strikeforce 'Evolution' Preview

Matt Lindland vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

The Breakdown: You will likely never find a more pronounced style clash, as Lindland, an Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler turned professional face-smasher, meets Souza, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu boogeyman. Keeping his limbs from becoming human origami will be the goal for Lindland, who has to figure out a way to use his wrestling in a manner that does not end with a three-tap symphony.

Logic says Lindland should use his wrestling in reverse to keep this bout upright, but years of amateur wrestling experience never taught him how to throw a punch, nevermind take one. Regardless, Souza will press Lindland with takedown attempts throughout, so Lindland needs to be prepared to work his vice-grip top control to perfection.

While Lindland has made obvious strides in jiu-jitsu, as evidenced by his suddenly smooth guard passing and overall submission awareness, if he hits the mat with Souza, he will soon understand how a paralyzed gazelle feels in the Serengeti. Unless Lindland somehow summons the spirit of Andy Hug for this fight, he might as well start preparing himself for flashbacks of his double tapout loss to Murilo Bustamante.

The X-Factor: Dirty boxing stands as the great equalizer in this fight, and Lindland has proven himself a nasty close-quarters brawler. If he can lock down Souza in the clinch and press the Brazilian against the cage, he will be free to work at the stultifying pace he needs to win.

The threat of Souza pulling guard or trying standing submissions will be there every step of the way, but Lindland will be much better off keeping things boring than letting Souza turn him into a grappling dummy. In other words, prepare for the possible return of MMA’s premier blanket.

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The Bottom Line: It seems hard to imagine Lindland working a perfect game plan against an opponent with the physical talent and technical skill to give him night terrors. It is but a matter of time before Souza tangles up the Olympian in his web of pain, and by the time that happens, it will be game, set and tap.