Strikeforce 'Houston' Results: Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza Defeats Tim Kennedy for Strikeforce Middleweight Title

It was the division Jake Shields walked away from...or was released from depending on who you talk to. Either way, this was the crowning of a new champion. It's not anyone's era, but it's a deserved win.

The round started a little slow with neither fighter landing much in the first minute or so. Jacare, surprisingly, landed the first good shot, a right hand that ever so slightly stunned Kennedy. Both fighters took their time and Jacare immediately demonstrated massive improvement standing. A left hand that partially landed from Kennedy combined with an unintended trip caused the Brazilian to hit the canvas, but the BJJ world champ quickly recovered.

Kennedy started the second round with a missed Superman Punch, but ate two small right hands as Jacare maneuvered out of the way. Kennedy positionally seemed to be aggressing more, but both fighters spent most of the first round landing errant shots counterstriking or in the clinch. With roughly a minute left in the second round, Kennedy stuffed the first takedown attempt by Jacare. The round ends with Jacare landing a nice push kick and right hand.

Both fighters opened the third with seemingly plenty of energy left in the tank. At roughly the halfway point of the round, a nasty cut opened over the left eye of Kennedy as did plenty of right hands. Kennedy landed a nice outside trip takedown, but Jacare immediately recovered full guard. Jacare, surprisngly, chose to take the fight back to the feet and did so. The round ended with Kennedy's face covered in blood.

Then the championship rounds opened. Both fighters spent the first half taking small shots and Kennedy stuffed another takedown attempt from Jacare. Kennedy also appeared to be attacking the lead leg of Jacare much more. With a minute and 34 seconds left, Jacare suffered an illegal groin strike which caused the bout to be briefly halted. The round resumed with Kennedy attempting a takedown, but getting nowhere.

Kennedy opened the round early with several left hands and more aggressive positioning. A bad shot attempt was easily stuffed by Jacare and the Brazilian gave Kennedy a right hand to the head for his effort. With a minute and thirty seconds left Jacare began throwing wide winging punches, but to no avail. Kennedy's faced, again, was covered in blood. Jacare briefly had a tight waist on Kennedy from behind, but could do nothing with it. Two big punches from Jacare land with seconds left, but not before Kennedy lands a monster slam.

The judges scored the bout: unanimous decision 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 for Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.