Jacare (right) would bet on Silva (left) to win at UFC 162 on Saturday. Photo credit: Sherdog.com.

Ronaldo “Jacare” made his UFC debut in May with a beautiful submission of Chris Camozzi, and climbed to fifth on the UFC middleweight rankings. In September, the Jiu-Jitsu fighter has a new challenge in facing former title challenger Yushin Okami.

Check out our full interview with the UFC athlete, who spoke about the upcoming duel, his friendship with Vitor Belfort and Anderson Silva’s challenge on Saturday against Chris Weidman.

GRACIEMAG: Jacare, in Strikeforce you were practically asking to fight. Now in the UFC, after the victory over Camozzi, you had a well deserved vacation and now you come back with a top-ranking fighter. How do you see it going?

RONALDO JACARÉ: It is a great pleasure to be always fighting. It is something that I was asking for and now it’s happening, besides being in the biggest MMA event in the world. I’m glad to be valued by the UFC and even happier to face one of the top of my class, Okami. I’m 100 percent focused to do an excellent job and to grab this victory. I was quite thrilled when Dana White said at the press conference of UFC 160 that I would face Okami. At the time, there wasn’t a date for it, nothing. I thought, “Hey, the boss liked my work.” What I can say is that I promise to be better than the last time, I promise to do my best and promise to do have a great fight.”

Dana White said that Jiu-Jitsu competitions are boring. Do you believe you are one of the guys who came to prove that the gentle art is something that is worth taking into MMA?

I understand what he said. Often, in Jiu-Jitsu, you get tied up in a fight for 10 minutes. But in MMA it’s different. Jiu-Jitsu is beautiful to see as much as a knockout in a standing-up fight.

What’s the strategy to face Okami?

I’m have a strategy set up for him. Okami is a complete athlete, specialized in the clinch. He is also left-handed, strokes a lot and I’ll be attentive to this. But inside the Octagon, I will try to perform a submission. I’m hoping he will grab me and throw me on the ground. If that happens, I’ll use what I have to offer, which is my Jiu-Jitsu.

Did you expect the support you received from fans in Jaragua do Sul?

I was very surprised. I was focused, prepared physically and mentally. I knew I would make a good fight. But when I saw that crowd cheering for me I was very touched. Many people had never seen me fighting. When I was Strikeforce champ, people started to know me now. This shows the greatness that is the UFC. For me, it was the fight of the night, the premier of the night, and the submission of the night.

After UFC on FX, we noticed your closeness to Vitor Belfort. Now you are closely ranked in the middleweight division. Would you face him?

Yes, I would fight him. He is a very professional guy, and so am I. Whether or not we fight, our closeness will continue. I think the position that Belfort achieved is more than deserved. He fought hard, he is a God’s person, he is a man who seeks to improve and evolve in everything. He renewed himself, it is not common for athletes of his age. He really is a “phenomenon.”

Speaking about the title fight that happens this Saturday between champion Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman, how do you see this fight going?

I think everyone has the chance of becoming a champion. With Weidman it’s no different. He has his possibilities, but people have to see that Anderson is the clear favorite for this fight. Weidman has weapons to win the fight, but I think it’s nonsense saying that Anderson is in danger on the ground. I have trained with him and I can guarantee that he is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and knows the ground game well. Weidman might even complicate the fight on the ground, but submitting I think it is very difficult.

If you were to bet your money?

I’d bet on Anderson, of course. I don’t want to lose my money (laughs).

Glover Teixeira (pictured applying submission) will face Ryan Bader in Brazil. Photo via UFC.

Two Brazilians are all the talk since entering the UFC, and now they have more fights coming up.

Glover Teixeira will face Ryan Bader, and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will fight Yushin Okami at UFC on Fox Sports 1 #3 in Belo Horizonte on Sept. 4, according to a report from Portal do Vale Tudo.

Teixeira won MMA fans with four straight wins in the organization, which have earned him No. 3 on the UFC light heavyweight rankings. Jacare, a former Strikeforce middleweight champion, debuted doing what his fans are accustomed to: Finishing with a submission.

Teixeira should have faced Bader at UFC 160 last May, but an injury took the American off the card. He was replaced by James Te-Huna, which resulted in the Brazilian getting the submission win, as well as a Submission of the Night bonus.

As reported by GRACIEMAG.com last month, Jacare and Okami will face off in a pivotal middleweight match-up. Currently, the Japanese fighter is third in the UFC middleweight rankings, behind only Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort. The fight will have heavy influence on who is next to be in the mix for the 185-pound title.

The UFC is yet to confirm the match-ups, but announcements are expected to happen soon.

Continue following the GRACIEMAG.com for updates about UFC on Fox Sports 1 # 3.

From Jiu-Jitsu champion to UFC fighter. This path traced by the beasts of the gentle art to the largest MMA organization in the world is becoming common place. But fleeing from labels, Antonio Braga Neto didn’t put his black belt aside to join the UFC, but prefers to distance his image from the group of Jiu-Jitsu champions already there.

Chatting with GRACIEMAG.com, during a break at Circuit Team Nogueira 3 on Friday, May 24, Braga Neto talked about his expectations of the world’s most famous octagon, commented on the debut against Anthony Smith and said he doesn’t like to be compared with Demian, Roger and Jacare, MMA superstars who came from Jiu-Jitsu.

“People compare me to them. But I don’t like it. They are on another level, and I’ll still get there. I want to go after my space and thus be able to stand next to them,” said the humble Braga.

Check out the best parts of the conversation of Antonio Braga Neto with GRACIEMAG:

GRACIEMAG.com: World champion of Jiu-Jitsu twice and now signed to the UFC. How is it to be part of the group of great names of Jiu-Jitsu in MMA?

I am very happy to have signed with the UFC and be able to show my work in MMA, but I don’t like to be compared with Demian Maia, Roger Gracie and Ronaldo Jacare. They are very good, and I hope one day I reach the level they are. I just arrived, I want to work hard, do my best and get there.

How about your UFC debut? How is your mental aspect?

I am eager and happy. I hesitated a bit about the opponent. When you sign with the UFC, you don’t know who you will fight. We’ve had rookies fighting experienced guys in the organization. The fact of fighting against another UFC newcomer takes away this feeling, but still acknowledging the danger of my opponent.

Speaking of opponents, what do you already know about Anthony Smith? Were you already able to analyze and strategize?

Anthony Smith is a wrestler, who despite debuting in the UFC is very experienced and comes from Strikeforce. He didn’t let any of his fights go to decision, and I think that’s good. I imagine the pace of the fight will be cool to do a good job and get the victory.

How about the training? Are you improving your striking or sharpening your Jiu-Jitsu to submit?

I’m training everything. I trained a lot of boxing and also worked on muay thai. I have also trained Jiu-Jitsu a lot. I’m paying attention to all parts of the game, there’s no way to know where the fight will go. I’m ready for whatever comes.

TUF Brazil 2 Finale
Ginasio Paulo Sarasate, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
June 8, 2013

Rodrigo Minotauro vs Fabricio Werdum
“The Ultimate Fighter Brasil 2″ Final
Thiago Silva vs Rafael Feijao
Daniel Sarafian vs Eddie Mendez
Erick Silva vs Jason High
Rony Jason vs Mike Wilkinson

Preliminary Card

Raphael Assunçao vs Vaughan Lee
Ronny Markes vs Derek Brunson
Godofredo Pepey vs Felipe Arantes
Ildemar Marajo vs Leandro Buscape
Rodrigo Damm vs Mizuto Hirota
Caio Magalhães vs Karlos Vemola
Antônio Braga Neto vs Anthony Smith

Jacare choked Chris Camozzi in the UFC on FX 8 co-main event.

LAS VEGAS — Following a successful UFC debut, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will step up in competition with a match against Yushin Okami, UFC President Dana White said on Thursday.

Souza and Okami will face each other at an event that is yet to be announced.

“That fight will happen, Okami and Jacare,” White told reporters at UFC Media Day. “That’s the fight we’re going to make.”

White added that the location and date of the fight has been determined, but he could not recall the information, off hand.

UFC officials responded to GRACIEMAG.com when asked about the date and venue, advising that an announcement won’t be made at this time.

Souza last competed at UFC on FX 8 in Jaragua do Sul, where he scored a first-round submission-win over Chris Camozzi in their co-main event bout.

Okami, a one-time challenger to the UFC middleweight title, last competed at UFC on Fuel TV 8, where he won a split decision over former Bellator middleweight champ Hector Lombard.

GRACIEMAG.com will have updates about the Jacare-Okami match-up as more information becomes available.

Vitor Belfort knocks out Luke Rockhold in the main event of UFC on FX 8 in Brazil. Photo via UFC Facebook.

Vitor Belfort is truly a phenomenon. Star of numerous UFC events in Brazil, the middleweight proved why he is considered one of the best in the UFC with a first-round knockout of Luke Rockhold. 

Belfort started to fight more aggressively, breaking up and landing hard shots to his opponent. With a spinning back kick, the Brazilian knocked Rockhold down, following that up with strikes on the ground to close out the fight. 

Belfort needed just over two minutes to knock out the last Strikeforce champion. When interviewed, the victor said he only wants to continue doing what he loves, which is to fight, and get many more victories. In addition, Belfort asked the audience to support Anderson Silva in his next challenge against Chris Weidman on July 6. Is he thinking of facing the winner of this match?

Photo via UFC Facebook

“Jacare” Souza delights fans, subs Chris Camozzi in first round

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has Jiu-Jitsu in his DNA.

The black belt entered the Arena Jaragua dancing excitedly. The fight began, Camozzi managed to land a high kick that full-on hit the face of Brazilian, but Jacare was only waiting for the right time to take the fight where he likes: The ground.

When he widened the gap, it was only a matter of time. With Jacare transitioning from mount, he locked on the arm triangle. The Brazilian sank in the choke — a particularly tight one — quickly finishing his opponent at the 3:08 mark of the first round.

Following the win, Jacare was asked, if given the chance, who he would like to face between Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold. He replied: “The Winner.”

Rafael dos Anjos gets controversial decision over Evan Dunham

Although the scores read 29-28 across the board, most the of the MMA world disputed the outcome of the Rafael dos Anjos-Evan Dunham fight.

Despite the protest from the fans and most analysts, dos Anjos agreed with the judges’ scores.

“I lost my balance in the first round and was taken down,” he said, adding, “but I was confident I had won the second and the third rounds.”

Rafael Natal grabs unanimous decision over former Jiu-Jitsu rival

The two faced each other in the Jiu-Jitsu world years ago as brown belts, and met again on Saturday in the Octagon.

Rafael Natal and João Zeferino went back and forth in the 50/50 guard in the first round, but Zeferino had no energy for the two remaining rounds, giving Natal the chance to outwork him for the unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.

Here are the full results for the UFC on FX 8 card:

Main Card (FX):

Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via KO (spinning back kick, strikes) at 2:32, R1
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Chris Camozzi via submission (arm triangle) at 3:37, R1
Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Rafael Natal def. João Zeferino via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Preliminary Card (Fuel TV):

Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28 x2)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio via submission (arm triangle) at 3:08, R1
Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via submission (guillotine) at 2:34, R2
Paulo Thiago def. Mitchel Prazeres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) at 2:31, R1
Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollet via unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (Facebook):

John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via TKO (strikes) at 1:07, R2
Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Lucas Martins def. Jeremy Larsen via knockout (punch) at 0:13, R3

Results updated live as the fights happen, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

Main Card (FX):

Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via KO (spinning back kick, strikes) at 2:32, R1
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Chris Camozzi via submission (arm triangle) at 3:37, R1
Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Rafael Natal def. João Zeferino via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Preliminary Card (Fuel TV):

Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28 x2)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio via submission (arm triangle) at 3:08, R1
Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via submission (guillotine) at 2:34, R2
Paulo Thiago def. Mitchel Prazeres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) at 2:31, R1
Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollet via unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (Facebook):

John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via TKO (strikes) at 1:07, R2
Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Lucas Martins def. Jeremy Larsen via knockout (punch) at 0:13, R3

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (pictured) talks with GracieMag.com about his UFC future. Photo by Esther Lin.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, 33, has done well in Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and ADCC, but another step was needed to feel professionally fulfilled: to fight in the UFC.

Twice the absolute world champion and former holder of the Strikeforce middleweight title, Jacare arrives in the world’s largest MMA organization full of morale. On May 18, in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil, Souza faces the dangerous Costa Philippou, a winner of five straight fights.

Coincidentally (or not) on the same card is Luke Rockhold, who took the Strikeforce title from Jacare in 2011 and kept it until the end of the franchise. The Brazilian showed interest in Rockhold as his first UFC opponent, but the American instead will face Vitor Belfort in the main event.

Jacare last fought in January 2013, when he submitted Ed Herman with a kimura in the first round at Strikeforce event farewell

Happy to not have long layoffs between fights, as it happened in Strikeforce, Souza promises to lift the crowd on May 18. And the strategy to beating Philippou is already drawn, as he revealed to GracieMag.com: good old Jiu-Jitsu. Check out the exclusive interview below.

GRACIEMAG: How is your head with your UFC debut getting closer?

RONALDO JACARE: Always very good, very confident, good physically and mentally relaxed. I now feel totally ready for this new challenge in my career, and I think it will make a very good fight. I’m confident in winning and I feel 100-percent prepared. It is a new phase in my life and I’m facing a naturally, but with great professionalism.

Do you feel any pressure with fighting in Brazil?

I’m pulling it on the positive side and liking the idea of fighting in my country. It gives me a greater incentive because I know the responsibility to represent Brazil and it just motivates me in training, and encourages me to have more dedication. Overall I’m more concentrated, focused and very calm because I trust in my work, in my team, in my potential, and I will prove this May 18 for all Brazilians.

What was your reaction upon learning you would face Costa Philippou?

When I entered the UFC, I knew it would not be a breeze. I’m glad to have a fight with a guy who has five straight wins. It’s a good way to get to the top fast. I got to the UFC and was put in the top 10, ranking among the nine, and now they put me to fight with the top five in the division. This means that they are appreciating me, and I feel the need to show them that they are right. I also feel the need to show to those who do not believe in my work that they are wrong. I love those who doubt me! I am a fighter capable of breaking my arm for a win …

What is the strategy for this fight?

I’ll lay down … and will do anything to finish. If I don’t knock him down, he will get tired a lot. When he gets up, I put him down again. We can not speak otherwise. I’ll look for the ground game and he will try to fight standing. He will not want to take me down and I do not want to trade with him all the time. The game is this, the obvious.

And how is your Jiu-Jitsu for this fight?

For Jiu-Jitsu I’m working with Sylvio Behring and his team, with several renowned black belts. On Wednesdays I wear my kimono and come train. I’m emphasizing my wrestling training with Adrian Jaoude, greatly improving my takedowns … Everyone knows that I put it down, but now I’m trying to do this more technically, and with more tranquility. But Jiu-Jitsu was where it all began. My life as a fighter began with the gentle art and became a lifestyle for me. I am very happy to have the opportunity to always be a jiu-jiteiro!

Still thinking about a rematch with Luke Rockhold?

Were were supposed to have our rematch in Strikeforce, but didn’t. I do not know for what reason — actually, I know the reason, he was injured twice. This hampered our meeting …

How do you think the bout between Vitor Belfort and Rockhold will be?

I think Vitor will try to keep the fight standing, Rockhold also, perhaps seeking to overturn a bit with wrestling. Luke will want to take the fight to the end. He’s a volume guy, which grows as the rounds pass, and he kicks very well. But I think Vitor has better striking.

For you, what is the biggest difference between the UFC and Strikeforce?

Before I had to scream that wanted to fight. Now I’m motivated to know that I’m much more active. I think I was the only guy in Strikeforce to face an UFC athlete, Ed Herman, who had several good fights in the UFC. And I was lucky to finish it in the first round and be better than him in the fight standing and on the ground.

Is there any possibility of someday facing Anderson Silva, the current champion of the weight class?

I think this is something that I should not even comment on. We train together and we will not generate discomfort within the team. The fact is that anyone who wants to get to the top will have to go through me. I don’t know what Anderson’s feeling is with competing in the UFC right now, if in a moment he is retiring or not, but I wish all success to him before anything. I would say I’m always rooting for him and if he needs my help to fight with Chris Weidman, we are there!

Jacaré celebrates victory at Strikeforce event in Oklahoma (Photo by Esther Lin/Forza LCC via Getty Images).

2013 marks the completion of Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza’s first decade as an MMA fighter, having made a spirited debut back at the inaugural Jungle Fight show, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. And his 10-year anniversary present couldn’t be more appropriate: a berth in the UFC, the biggest stage in MMA.

On Tuesday evening, UFC Tonight confirmed that “Jacaré” Souza, Roger Gracie, Gegard Mousasi and a list of other Strikeforce hires will be work their trade in the octagon in 2013.

Vacationing in the North Brazilian city of Belém do Pará, Jacaré spoke to GRACIEMAG.com about the UFC and his latest win, when he tapped Ed Herman out via kimura at the Strikeforce finale last Saturday.

“The coolest part about the hold is that any white belt can do it, the only difference being the years of training that went into proper placement and adapting it to my physique,” the two-time absolute champion of the world told GRACIEMAG.com in the following interview.

GRACIEMAG.com: You’re now an experienced fighter who is confident and has a high-level MMA game. Will you nevertheless be feeling tense when you walk out to the octagon?

RONALDO JACARÉ: So far I haven’t felt any tension. Just joy. Being in the world’s biggest MMA event is a major joy. Tension I’ll only feel when I’m about to walk out to fight. The butterflies I feel in my stomach on the way to the cage are the same as I used to feel during my Jiu-Jitsu days. It’s the same feeling. But as I like the adrenaline, I’m stoked!

A decade in the sport, 21 MMA fights, 17 wins and 13 submission—what’s changed in your Jiu-Jitsu since 2003?

It’s changed a lot. It’s not easy to simply transport competition Jiu-Jitsu to the MMA game. And that’s something I learned over time. The guys defend really well, slip away, and sometimes the fight gets tricky. The Gi Jiu-Jitsu game is really different from the Jiu-Jitsu used in MMA. I’m in constant evolution, and the only secret to winning is lots of training.

Where do you feel you stand in the middleweight rankings now you’re in the UFC? On our Facebook page folks are already asking to see you up against the best—Weidman, Anderson…

Whoa, I feel I’m down at the bottom of the division. I just arrived on the scene now, and I have to move up step by step to make it to the top ten in my weight class. I want to carve a place out for myself little by little, and I’ll give my all to do it. I feel I’m going through great evolution and will make it.

Is there anyone in the UFC you’d like to face? Is there anybody in the UFC who inspires you?

I don’t pick opponents. That’s the responsibility of the UFC matchmakers now. I admire fighters who go on the attack. I’m a fan of Minotauro, for example. Regardless of what happens in a fight of his, win or lose, I’m his fan. He’s a martial arts and Jiu-Jitsu icon, and it’s gratifying for us Brazilians to have a guy like that representing us.

You said you wanted to end your tenure at Strikeforce with a finish, and you did. How did that feel?

Mission accomplished, you know? I started my career at Strikeforce with a finish, and Saturday I got a finish. It was an immense joy, since Jiu-Jitsu came in with me and left with me. But still, I haven’t shown all I’ve got yet. I always give it my best; but I still haven’t shown everything I’ve got yet.

What’s the secret to getting a Kimura so tight like you did against Ed Herman?

The coolest part is that the Kimura is a move that I can do and that a white belt can do, too. The only difference being that I practice it, study it every day. Also, everyone is a different size, has different strength. You have to work on it a lot to adapt it to your body. You can compare the way all the Jiu-Jitsu fighters in the world do it, and each fighter may do it slightly differently. And it works for them all.

To wrap up, Jaca, there are already GRACIEMAG readers calling for you to fight Sonnen right off the bat and teach him to speak kindly of Jiu-Jitsu.

Cool, I’m grateful to the readers for thinking of me, but Demian Maia’s already taken care of that, hasn’t he? He taught him what the pressure of a triangle is like around the neck and arm. Sonnen’s learned; let him be.

Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
January, 12, 2013

• Tarec Saffiedine defeated Nate Marquardt via unanimous judges’ decision
• Daniel Cormier defeated Dion Staring via TKO at 4:02 min of R2
• Josh Barnett subbed Nandor Guelmino via arm-and-neck choke from mount at 2:11 min of R1
• Gegard Mousasi choked out Mike Kyle at 4:09 min of R1
• Ronaldo Jacaré subbed Ed Herman via Kimura lock at 4:38 min of R1
• Ryan Couture defeated KJ Noons via split judges’ decision
• Tim Kennedy tapped out Trevor Smith via guillotine at 1:36 min of R3
• Pat Healy defeated Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous judges’ decision
• Roger Gracie tapped out Anthony Smith at 3:16 min of R2
• Adriano Martins defeated Jorge Gurgel via unanimous decision
• Estevan Payan defeated Michael Bravo via TKO at 4:01 min of R2

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. Photo by Esther Lin.

The UFC’s roster is growing in 2013 with the addition of several Strikeforce fighters coming from the defunct organization to the octagon, according to a report on UFC Tonight on Tuesday.

The list of Strikeforce transfers includes notables like Gegard Mousasi, Luke Rockhold and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. Also, as reported by GRACIEMAG.com on Tuesday and Monday, Strikeforce standouts Daniel Cormier and Gilbert Melendez will make their UFC debuts in April at the UFC on FOX event in San Jose, Calif.

The list of fighters announced on the Fuel TV program is as follows:

• Daniel Cormier
• Gilbert Melendez
• Gegard Mousai
• Gian Villante
• Luke Rockhold
• Jacare Souza
• Tim Kennedy
• Roger Gracie
• Lorenz Larkin
• Nate Marquardt
• Tarec Saffiedine
• Roger Bowling
• Jason High
• Bobby Voelker
• Josh Thomson
• K.J. Noons
• Pat Healy
• Adriano Martins
• Kurt Holobaugh

UFC Tonight added that there should be more fighters making the move to the UFC, but this list represents all they were able to confirm to date.

GRACIEMAG.com will update with news of additional fighters as more information become available.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

(L-R) Tarec Saffiedine kicks Nate Marquardt in their welterweight championship bout during the Strikeforce event on January 12, 2013 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images)

The final Strikeforce event took place last night in Oklahoma City, and GRACIEMAG.com brings you the video highlights in the video player below. To read a complete recap of the fights, click here for our story on last night’s card.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Photo by Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images

Strikeforce’s doors came to a close for the final time with Tarec Saffiedine defeating Nate Marquardt for the company’s welterweight title Saturday night in Oklahoma City.

Saffiedine brutalized Marquardt’s lead leg for the majority of the five-round affair, earning the unanimous decision with scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46.

“I’ve been training so hard for so long. It’s unbelievable,” said the newly-crowned champion following his win. “I can’t believe I’m wearing the belt right now.”

Both fighters started out the fight conservatively, measuring each other on the feet. There weren’t many significant strikes from either fighter until Saffiedine began landing leg kicks on the way to winning the opening frame.

Marquardt picked up the offense in the second round, taking his opponent down once in the frame. Saffiedine continued to land leg kicks, but Marquardt controlled the pace for the greater part of the round.

Saffiedine’s confidence grew as the fight went on, pressing the action and landing more leg kicks as the third round was underway. The Belgian fighter clinched with his opponent on several occasions, applying numerous punches and knees from that position.

Marquardt began to show fatigue in the fourth round, and Saffiedine solidified the win with a takedown in the fifth on the way to the unanimous decision.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, who started the promotion in 1985 as a kickboxing organization, shared his thoughts on Saturday’s fights being the company’s last. The Zuffa-owned organization will shut down, which, according to the executive, is a tough pill to swallow.

“It’s a tough thing, but I’m so happy for these guys who fought tonight,” Coker said following the final Strikeforce card. “It’s time.”

Coker added that he’ll forever be in debt to Showtime, Strikeforce’s broadcast partner, for taking a chance on what was once a regional promotion, putting them on the national stage through the premium cable channel.

With the win, Saffiedine will likely be headed to the UFC. Marquardt, who was once in the UFC, will also make his transition back to the world’s leading MMA promotion.

Photo by Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images

Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring

In what was a lopsided victory, Daniel Cormier toppled Dion Staring by technical knockout in the second round of their co-main event on Saturday.

Cormier shut his opponent out, getting the stoppage at 4:02 of the round. Cormier earned the dominant win, but it was the announcement of his plans going forward that got the most attention, calling out Frank Mir and Jon Jones for his first two fights in the UFC.

“Right now, April 20 on FOX … Frank Mir, let’s do it,” he said in his post-fight interview. “I’m going to let Jon [Jones] defend his belt on April 27 and kick his ass in the Fall.”

Cormier also said during his post-fight speech that he signed his UFC contract. Originally, Mir and Cormier were supposed to fight in a November Strikeforce card, but the former UFC heavyweight champion was injured, leaving Cormier with no opponent. The fight’s cancelation prompted the scrubbing of the entire card — the second Strikeforce event cancelation in as many months.

No announcements were made confirming Cormier’s debut UFC fight.

Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino 

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett made quick work of Nandor Guelmino, submitting his opponent in the first round of their Strikeforce fight.

Barnett took Guelmino down, secured full mount and locked on the arm triangle to finish the fight at 2:11 of the opening round.

In the middle of a pro wrestling-like speech in his post fight interview, Barnett said he doesn’t know if he’ll be a part of the UFC after the last Strikeforce card.

“No idea where I’m going to end up,” Barnett said.

It’s unclear if the UFC is willing to negotiate a contract with Barnett, as UFC president Dana White recently said, much like Barnett, that he has no idea if the heavyweight will come back to the Las Vegas-based organization.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle 

Gegard Mousasi submitted Mike Kyle in the first round of their main card fight at Strikeforce’s final event.

The Dutch-Armenian fighter applied a successful takedown, locking on a rear-naked choke at 4:09 of the opening frame. Mousasi credited a rediscovered focus for his win on Saturday night.

“I got more professional,” he said in his post-fight interview, adding that he got out of his comfort zone to produce the win.

Mousasi is likely to move over to the UFC, where, as we reported on GRACIEMAG.com, he’d like to face light heavyweight contenders like Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Ed Herman 

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza beat Ed Herman in the first round of Strikeforce’s opening fight on the main card.

Jacare put his Jiu-Jitsu to use, putting Herman on his back before mounting the UFC veteran and slapping on the kimura. Herman was forced to tap out at 3:10 of the opening round.

The evening’s preliminary fights results are as follows:

• Ryan Couture defeated K.J. Noons by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
• Tim Kennedy defeated Trevor Smith by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:36, Round 3
• Pat Healy defeated Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Roger Gracie defeated Anthony Smith by submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:16, Round 2