Strikeforce's Best Prospect: Roger Gracie

The biggest criticism of the Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts promotion is that it does not have enough young talent. Much of the Strikforce roster consists of former UFC fighters that are past their prime or sustained too many losses. There are exceptions, the great Russian Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, "King" Muhammed Lawal are names the UFC would gladly sign. There is however, one Strikeforce prospect that has opened up many eyes in the MMA world, his name is Roger Gracie. Gracie is 29 years olds and at the age of 25 fought in his first ever MMA competition. However, Roger Gracie is widely acknowledged as the best submission fighter in the world today. As part of the extended Gracie family, it is an accomplishment to even be the best in the family that created Brazilian jiu jitsu. Roger Gracie has won the Mundials Tournament which is the BJJ World Jiu-Jitsu Championship . He has done it an unheralded record 10 times In these tournaments, He's defeated such fighters as Strikeforce current Middleweight champion, Ronaldo Souza, UFC standout Demain Maia and Strikeforce heavyweight Fabricio Werdum (the only man to ever really defeat Fedor Emelianenko in MMA competition). Gracie has only lost a handful of times in actual submission competition. Most of his defeats were by point totals.

Gracie has beaten all four of his opponents in Mixed Martial Arts competition by submission. Two of his opponents were former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman and former UFC/Pride competitor Ron Waterman. His most recent fight he submitted crafty veteran fighter Trevor Prangley with a rear naked choke in the first round of a three round fight. Gracie's submission skills are evident but his stand up game still needs to evolve. He has an excellent jab which is helped by his tall stature. But can he stand and survive a brawl with a striker or brawler? His chin will get tested soon and fans will see if Gracie can be a complete fighter.

Gracie is ready for tougher competition. Strikeforce has some names that would be a huge steppingstone for him. One name that stands out would be his biggest challenge to date, Renato "Babalu" Sobral. At the age of 35, he would be the youngest opponent Gracie would have faced in MMA competition to date. Sobral has fought some of the best fighters in the world. He's won two of his last four fights which include a first round knockout loss to Dan Henderson. In 45 fights, he has only been submitted once and has been known for his good submission defense. Sobral has been on the tail end of his career, but is still a formidable foe for most fighters. He would be Gracie's biggest test to date. If he gets passed Sobral, then Dan Henderson or Muhamed Lawal could be next.