Strikeforce's second major show since the acquisition of EliteXC's assets will be taking place this weekend at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The event will have plenty of battles that both hardcore and casual fans can equally enjoy with it all culminating into a main event catchweight battle between former UFC and EliteXC heavy-handed striker "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler and EliteXC veteran grappler Jake Shields. It should be a true grappler vs. striker matchup that is as intriguing as they come outside of the UFC.

Another solid main card catchweight matchup will feature former UFC, PRIDE, and EliteXC fighter Nick Diaz taking on another former UFC fighter in the heavy-handed Scott Smith. Diaz is currently riding a four-fight win streak that includes a destructive victory over Strikeforce's bread winner Frank Shamrock back on April 11th. Smith is equally riding a wave of success with two big wins via knockout over Terry Martin and Benji Radach.

Stylistically, both fighters offer different advantages in the cage. Diaz is your prototypical well-rounded fighter. He has great submission skills, phenomenal defensive jiu-jitsu, unreal conditioning, solid boxing skills on the feet and smothering control on the ground.

Smith isn't a ground expert, but he's proven to have the heart of a lion when it comes to fighting. Smith's heart allowed him to persevere through injury to give him just enough time to knockout Pete Sell at the Ultimate Fighter Finale 4. Smith can't win on heart alone however, so he's employed some heavy-handed striking, a solid chin, and a vision for the knockout into his skillset that has continued to deliver big wins.

Diaz has the edge in many areas of this matchup, specifically on the ground. Smith has been susceptible to the ground game in the past with losses to Ed Herman and David Terrell in the UFC, but Smith has been very good defensively in stuffing takedowns as of late. With the Diaz mentality in full effect, a slugfest could ensue that could bring the house down in St. Louis.

With Smith's heavy hands and Diaz's less than stellar defense and susceptibility to the power blow (i.e. KJ Noons), it could be an interesting matchup. Diaz's dynamic abilities were on showcase in the Frank Shamrock bout, and if he can push that same performance, Diaz could be on the verge of breaking out once again as a promotional headliner. Smith's knockout style of fighting is also something that Strikeforce would likely want to push due to its appeal to the casual fanbase. In any case, an exciting matchup with an impressive finish could truly be a win-win situation for Strikeforce.

At the end of the day, the logical choice would be Diaz due to his much more dynamic skillset. There are, however, other reasons that fight fans flock to watch Nick Diaz fight and support Nick Diaz's career.

Diaz is far from your model employee. He doesn't give the same worn cliche answers to interview questions that boring interviewees like Chuck Liddell or Dan Henderson give to media. He causes more controversy in one statement than one fighter can cause over a lifetime of interviews. He speaks what is on his mind, and he has no fear as to the repercussions. And for that mentality, fans love Nick Diaz.

While Nick Diaz may not be a role model for young children, he is the epitome of what this sport is. It's a fight. In a recent interview, Diaz talked about how many fighters want to dress up in suits, be professional and play to corporate sponsors. Diaz stated that he'll never be that guy because ultimately, this sport still comes down to two guys entering a cage and trying to kill each other. I truly believe the sport needs to make its way toward a more professional look and feel, but Diaz's whole outlook on the sport is a refreshing reminder that there are still guys out there engulfed in the lifestyle of being a warrior. Diaz doesn't care about the glitz or glamour, he just wants to fight.

It's interesting that for all the flack that Diaz is given for his rambling interviews and strange lifestyle, he still manages to produce huge hype for his fights with plain old insults and "badassness". Its this crude, simple way in which Diaz talks the talk, and then walks the walk that always brings me to a biased decision in picking Diaz. While I may not agree with everything the man says, I do respect the fact that Diaz fights because he just wants to fight.

Tune in on Saturday, June 6th on Showtime at 10 PM EST. Check out more of our Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields coverage.