Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields

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1 Background
2 Fight Card
3 Pre-Event Notes
4 Results
5 Strikeforce Event Chronology
6 External Links

Background

Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields is an 11-bout fight card that is set to take place on June 6, 2009 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

The card will air live on Showtime at 10pm ET and will feature a catchweight bout (182 lbs.) between former EliteXC middleweight champion, Robbie Lawler and former EliteXC welterweight champion, Jake Shields.

Fight Card

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight Bout: Booker DeRousse vs. James Wade
Lightweight Bout: Pat Benson vs. Dave Cochran
Middleweight Bout: Scott Ventimiglia vs. Lucas Lopes
Welterweight Bout: Jesse Finney vs. Josh Bumgarner
Welterweight Bout: Tyron Woodley vs. Sal Woods
Light Heavyweight Bout: Rafael Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle

Main Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead
Welterweight Bout: Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs
Catchweight Bout (180 lbs.): Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith
Heavyweight Bout: Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers
Catchweight Bout (182 lbs.): Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields

Pre-Event Notes

Joe Riggs and Jake Shields were originally matched up against each other, but the fight was scrapped in favor of a catchweight bout between Shields and Robbie Lawler - much to the anger of Riggs.

A Strikeforce light heavyweight title bout between champion, Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Rafael Cavalcante was to take place but a scheduling conflict forced Babalu off of the card.

Babalu was initially replaced by Jared Hamman but after Hamman withdrew Cavalcante was matched up against UFC veteran and perennial douche bag, Mike Kyle on the show's undercard.

Brett Rogers was to face Strikeforce heavyweight champion, Alistair Overeem for the title on this event but a hand injury sustained by Overeem nixed the bout. Former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski stepped up on short notice to replace Overeem in a non-title bout.

A welterweight bout between Nick Diaz and Jay Hieron was rumored but discarded in favor of the catchweight bout between Diaz and Scott Smith.

Results

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight Bout: Booker DeRousse defs. James Wade via TKO (punches) at 4:06 of round 1.
Lightweight Bout: Pat Benson defs. Dave Cochran via submission (armbar) at 2:42 of round 1.
Middleweight Bout: Lucas Lopes defs. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (knee to a downed opponent) at 3:26 of round 1.
Welterweight Bout: Jesse Finney defs. Josh Bumgarner via submission (keylock) at 1:55 of round 1.
Welterweight Bout: Tyron Woodley defs. Sal Woods via submission (arm triangle choke) at 4:20 of round 1.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Mike Kyle defs. Rafael Cavalcante via TKO (punches) at 4:05 of round 2.

Main Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Mike Whitehead defs. Kevin Randleman via unanimous decision (29-28 x3).
Welterweight Bout: Joe Riggs defs. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision.
Catchweight Bout (180 lbs.): Nick Diaz defs. Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:41 of round 3.
Heavyweight Bout: Brett Rogers defs. Andrei Arlovski via TKO (punches) at :22 of round 1.
Catchweight Bout (182 lbs.): Jake Shields defs. Robbie Lawler via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:02 of round 1.

Lawler defended some early takedown attempts from Shields and was controlling the stand-up with ease. However, Lawler left his neck out in a clinch and was tapped with a guillotine in short order.