Most people thought Jay Hieron earned a shot at the welterweight title by defeating Joe Riggs, but Coker said it's more likely that Sakurai will be the challenger in Diaz's first title defense. Sakurai fights for Dream, and Coker said Strikeforce's co-promotional arrangement with Dream ensures that "I could get it done." Hieron's win over Riggs was the last fight on his Strikeforce contract, and it's not clear whether Hieron will return to the promotion.
sometimes i feel that Hieron just isn't gettin the respect that he deserves..yes he hasn't beat any top tier fighter..but he has been impressive over the last few years..he either finishes the fight or win a impressive UD..and when i hear people talk bout him..they talk low of this guy..i hear people givin Riggs higher respect than Hieron..wtf..i wouldn't mind seein Hieron win the belt just to shut people up..but with Nick,probably not gonna happen...
Sakurai lost to Zaromskis and Diaz beat Zaromskis last night, so I feel like the Hieron fight makes more sense, although I wouldn't mind seeing Sakurai, I just think Hieron deserves it more.
Yes, finally the stage is set for Mach's big comeback!
Really it doesn't make a ton of sense, the Korean BBQ Monster doesn't seem to have the same taste for fighting as he used to. He's coming off two losses, a stoppage and a sub. This fight was supposed to happen a while ago but it seems a bit late now.
One good point I suppose is that it's happening stateside so Mach will definitely be training with Matt Hume. Mach's a tough veteran and I think he can win any fight he gets in, but a lot depends on his conditioning and mental state. Lately he just doesn't seem into it, but I'll never count the guy out.
