Strikeforce on NBC 1/18/08 Re-Cap

Strikeforce on NBC 1/18/08 Re-Cap

Just one fight on tap for tonight and it's the semi Main-Event from the Strikeforce "Payback" show that took place back on 10/3/08.

Frank Trigg (17-6) vs. Falaniko Vitale (26-8)

Trigg is a veteran of UFC and Pride. He has victories over Kazuo Misaki, Jason Miller, an d Dennis Hallman. His only losses have come to Hayato Sakurai, Matt Hughes (2x), Georges St Pierre, Robbie Lawler and Carlos Conduit. So he has lost to some pretty good fighters. He is on a 2 fight win streak. Vitale has also been in UFC and holds victories over Matt Lindland (Lindland won the re-match) and Yushin Okami. He has losses to Robbie Lawler (2x), Jason Miller, and Jeremy Horn. Vitale is also on a 2 fight win streak coming into the fight.

R1- Trigg was the aggressor in the first round and pushed the fight throughout the round. At one point he took and landed some nice standing elbows. Trigg took round one 10-9.

R2- Not as much action in this round and the fighters began to tire. Announcers blamed it partially on the altitude (fighting in Colorado). Trigg was throwing much lighter punches in this round. He still landed with quite a few but they were far less effective in this round. That being said, Trigg still won the round and is up 20-18 on my score card.

R3- Trigg started out with a take down but there was really not much action in this round. Vitale hit a big right hand about half way through the round and got a take down but quickly lost his position. Trigg ended the round with a take down. Very close round that I gave to Vitale. So I've got Trigg taking the fight 29-28.

Judges score cards say: 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 in favor of Trigg.

Winner: Frank Trigg by Decision (Unanimous)