Tag: Strike Force

Recent Strikeforce signee “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (17-9-2) is hoping to reinvent himself by dropping down to 185 pounds after a career fighting at light heavyweight.

Just a few weeks ago, Jardine took a last minute fight with Gegard Mousasi to fight at 205 lbs as part of last weekends Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley event in San Diego.

“The Dean of Mean” had lost five straight fights, but was looking to make a big statement against Mousasi by winning his third straight bout since that black mark on his career. Both men fought to a majority draw, leaving neither man satisfied with the result, and leaving those watching the fight wondering if the promotion would book them into a rematch.

In a conversation with FightHype.com, Jardine said he’s focused on capturing the Strikeforce middleweight title within the next year, and any rematch appears to be off the table as he’s focused on losing weight.

“I made a commitment a few weeks ago to drop down to 185 and get that…I want to have the middleweight belt in 2012. That’s my goal right now, to get the Strikeforce belt at middleweight in 2012. You know, the way I look at it right now is, I’m 35 right now. I’ve never felt better, stronger, or more athletic in my life, but my window is closing, so I don’t want to waste too many fights …”

“I’m working with a nutritionist right now, the same one that Brian Stann uses, and he is another guy that dropped down to 185 from 205; a guy named George Lockhart. He is real credible. I never really focused on my diet. I eat a lot of food. I’ve never really cut hard weight and I’ve always looked a little chubby to make weight at 205. According to him, I don’t think it’s going to be a big thing. In fact, I only cut 2 pounds for this last fight, so I’m not really worried about it … ”

“My goal right now is to make the move to 185 and hold the 185 pound belt for them, and that’s incredibly exciting for me. A few years ago, who would have thought this would happen.”

Undefeated welterweight, and former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, Tyron “T-Wood” Woodley (8-0) feels that he should be the next fighter to vie for the Strikeforce welterweight title.

Woodley was on hand last weekend at the Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley event in San Diego, Calif. to campaign for a shot at the champion, going so far as to wear a shirt saying “I Got Next!”

“T-Wood” has won eight straight victories, including six straight under the Strikeforce banner. His last cage appearance was in January, in the headliner for Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine in Nashville, Tenn. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter earned a unanimous decision over opponent Tarec Saffiedine at the January 7 event.

Woodley spoke to Strikeforce.com about getting a shot at Nick Diaz and the Strikeforce title.

Let’s cut to the chase: you wore a t-shirt that said “I Got Next” at the event while sitting cageside. That’s a pretty obvious message, but clear it up for the fans: was that shirt directed at Nick Diaz?
TW: Well, if I had that much confidence that Diaz was going to take out Daley, then it would be. My shirt was a representation of the next time the STRIKEFORCE world [welterweight] title’s on the line that I’m the number-one contender, and I should be in there fighting for it. I didn’t really have Diaz favored very much over Daley. [The shirt] was [made] for whoever the victor would be. Actually, it wasn’t really for them, anyway. It was simply to let it be known that I got next, that I should be fighting for the world title next.

With Daley out of the way, do you feel that you are the number one contender for Diaz’s belt?
TW: Oh, definitely. I think I should be able to get another bout in since I fought in January, and its April now, so I should be able to get a fight in. Diaz and Daley have been fighting like madmen. Diaz will probably take some time off, and he might do some boxing, so I’m hoping to meet him for the belt at the end of the year.