Strikeforce Miami Preview: Joe Riggs, Jay Hieron Meet in Welterweight Action

 The drought is finally over. After over two weeks without a major mixed martial arts card taking place anywhere on an easily accessible television station in North America, we're finally back to a couple of weeks of some solid MMA action for the fans. This week, Strikeforce will be the main focus in the world of mixed martial arts as their 2010 season begins with Strikeforce: Miami. The event will take place at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida on Saturday, January 30th, live on Showtime at 10:00 PM EST.

The main event will feature a Strikeforce Welterweight championship showdown between UFC/Strikeforce veteran Nick Diaz and DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix champion Marius Zaromskis. The event will also feature a Women's lightweight title bout between Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos and Marloes Coenen, an explosive middleweight battle between "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler and Melvin Manhoef, and the debuts of former NFL running back Herschel Walker and former WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley.

Before we delve deeply into the main card, there is a bonus for fans. Strikeforce will be airing a free fight via the EASports.com website. And the fight is by no means a dud.

The free stream will feature a battle between former International Fight League welterweight champion Jay Hieron (18-4, 1-0 SF) and UFC veteran Joe "Diesel" Riggs (32-10, 3-2 SF). Hieron is currently running on a six-fight win streak with his most recent victory coming at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg in which he dispatched of Ultimate Fighter season seven flunkie Jesse "JT Money" Taylor via decision. Riggs is also riding some success as he's won his last four fights with two of his most recent victories coming back in December in regional promotions after defeating Phil Baroni at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields back in June.

From a simple glance at the match-up, the first problem that comes to mind in this showdown is the quality of conditioning that Joe Riggs will bring to the table on Saturday night. Riggs and "superior conditioning" aren't in any way related when it comes to talking about his attributes as a fighter, but fighters have the ability to improve in those departments. Unfortunately, the nagging criticism of Riggs throughout his career has been his conditioning, which doesn't inspire confidence that it'll improve against Hieron.

Hieron, on the other hand, has shown exceptional conditioning and pace in his fights. Complimented with a solid wrestling base and decent boxing skills, he's been able to steamroll a number of opponents in the past by being a much more vigorous fighter in exchanges. Speedy and quick at the start, it'll surely wear out Riggs quickly in this fight without some improvement on his part.

Riggs' only true weapon in his defense is his power. He has the "knack" for producing some stunning knockout power, and his ground and pound capabilities are one of his best attributes as a fighter. He also happens to have some decent submission abilities that are complimented by his strength. Wrenching an arm triangle on Hieron will end the night quickly if Riggs can position himself in top control.

I'm not confident that Riggs will find a home for his heavy hands on Hieron's jaw though. The more than likely outcome to this tilt will be a methodical destruction of Riggs via a quick pace and superior conditioning from Hieron. I'll take the odds favorite (-275) Jay Hieron in a later round stoppage, late 2nd or early 3rd TKO victory after Riggs begins to gas out. Riggs' winning streak will likely come to a halt against a very underrated Jay Hieron on Saturday.