Strikeforce ‘Heavy Artillery’ Preview

Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Antwain Britt

The Breakdown: The dearth of light heavyweight competition outside the UFC has left the freshly minted Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, Muhammed Lawal, without a clear challenger to his crown. Strikeforce hopes either Cavalcante or Britt can stamp his ticket to a title shot by doing something -- anything -- that will capture the imagination of fan and analyst alike.

If nothing else, Britt and Cavalcante will make for an exciting fight. Neither man has much in the way of back down in him. Plus, they both make their money on the feet. A straight-up slugfest definitely favors Britt, as he has the faster, more accurate punches, as well as the power to make Cavalcante pay every time he steps forward. That’s the approach Cavalcante needs to take since he will not beat Britt from range and his best shot at victory lies inside the clinch.

Controlling Britt and wearing him down with knees and anything else he can connect on from in close sounds like a good plan, but Cavalcante lacks the lockdown clinch technique it will take to stifle his opponent. That leaves Britt open to blitz with the kind of punching salvos for which Cavalcante lacks the defense and counter-punching skills. There are not many light heavyweights who can stand up to Britt’s power, but Cavalcante will have no choice but to try.

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The Bottom Line: This will be the fight that introduces Britt to the lay fan. Some crackling early exchanges will turn more and more one-sided until Britt finishes Cavalcante midway through the first round.