Strikeforce ‘Barnett vs. Kharitonov’ Preview

Maximo Blanco (above) will need to keep his back off the wall against Pat Healy. | Photo: D. Mandel

The Matchup: Healy fills in for the injured Josh Thomson, taking on a rough and talented customer in Blanco. With a pair of solid wins on the Strikeforce Challengers circuit this year, Healy has beaten two upstart prospects with his blend of veteran guile and resilience. Originally slated to face the woefully inactive but gifted Thomson, Blanco has to make sure he does not have a letdown here.

If there is a key to beating a scrappy veteran like Healy, it is outwrestling him. Blanco cannot allow him to suck him into a game of transitions, scrambles or the constant flow of move/countermove. Thomson implemented constant pressure in his third-round submission win over Healy last year and never really allowed him to get untracked.

The Pick: Blanco is the slightly better wrestler and definitely more aggressive and powerful, both standing and with ground-and-pound. Provided he does not make a series of mistakes on which Healy can capitalize -- something that is often a significant part of his victories -- Blanco should be able to dictate where the fight goes and outscore Healy en route to a clear-cut decision.

Next Fight: Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Yoel Romero Palacio