So the big problem with Strikeforce right now is they haven't done much lately to set up opponents for Strikeforce 145lb Champ Cris Cyborg. Her last opponent Jan Finney was discovered on Youtube. Marloes Coenen is now the 135lb Champ. Gina Carano is making movies. And Erin Toughill can't make weight. Strikeforce announced plans for a Cyborg title defense in January. Don't ask me who will challenge her. So last night's fight between Julia Budd and Shana Olsen was a belated attempt to find that challenger. Shana Olsen was scheduled to fight Erin Toughill in August but it was cancelled. She trains in Minnesota with legendary BJJ pioneer Sergio Cunha. Julia Budd is a Muay Thai veteran making her MMA debut. She is best known for handing Gina Carano her only Muay Thai loss. She trains with Lance Gibson in Port Moody, BC and has been training with Quentin "Rampage" Jackson's camp. The big difference in this fight was that Julia Budd is strong as an ox. Shana obviously didn't want to slug it out with her. But it became obvious that Shana couldn't handle her in the clinch either. Then she tried to trip Julia but wound up on the bottom. She was able to tie up Julia so she couldn't do much. Then the ref took a point from Julia for elbows to the head. She wasn't doing that. She was grinding her forearm into Shana's face. It seemed like a bad call. It didn't matter because the second round started out like round one. But this time when Julia got her down, she pounded away until the ref stopped the fight. I was very impressed with Julia's strength and I like her approach. She sized up Shana, knew she could overpower her and then went about her business in a very focused way. Very efficient. I like fighters who know what they want to do and don't waste time doing it. I hope Strikeforce doesn't feed Julia Budd to Cris Cyborg in January. But it wouldn't surprise me if they did and she said she would accept if it was offered. I don't know if there is anyone else. Maybe they'll find someone else on Youtube. Enjoy the video.
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