Jacare takes Strikeforce Middleweight title

Tim Kennedy isn’t accustomed to losing, but confused or not, that’s just where he found himself after fighting Ronaldo Jacare de Souza at Strikeforce: Houston on Saturday night.

I don’t know what happened, he said after the judges’ scorecards were read. The best grappler in the world couldn’t take me down. My hat is totally off to Jacare. It was an absolutely frustrating fight.

Jacare appeared to want to keep this fight on the feet, an area where most felt Kennedy would have the advantage. One of the most decorated grapplers in the world, Jacare displayed a tremendous improvement in his stand-up game.

It was a close fight, and a fight that doesn’t end in a finish is always open for argument, but Jacare’s hand was raised after five rounds.

I don’t like judges and this is what happens when I go to them, Kennedy said.

The Strikeforce middleweight belt, vacant since the exodus of former champion Jake Shields, is vacant no more.

Read entire article…