Strikeforce Women’s 115-pound Tournament Final
1st round – The action is underway, as Akano lands asolid kick to the body of Tate. Tate shakes the jab in Akano’s face, who answers with another body kick. Tate presses Akano against the cage, but Akano uses her Judo and trips Tate to the floor. Akano gets one of Tate’s arms, but cant convert as she rolls out. Akano moves her attention to Tate’s legs, but she defends that as well. Tate gets back to her feet just as the bell sounds. (Akano 10-9)
2nd round – Both fighters come out mixing it up in the first few seconds. Tate hits Akano a couple of times with nice kicks. After clinching, Tate decides to take the action to the floor. Akano lands on her back but also on the stomach of Tate. Akano grabs one of Tate’s arms and immediatley goes to work on it. Tate spends all of her time defending against the arm. Tate does get her arm back and takes the back of Akano. Tate begins to pound away on the head of Akano. Akano squirms free and reverses her position within the final ten seconds of the round. (Tate 10-9)
3rd round – The final round is on and Akano lands the first kick. Tate answers with a kick of her own, but as they hit the floor, Tate takes the back of Akano. Tate is trying to get her arm under the chin of Akano, but Akano is defending for the moment. Tate continues to slide the arm under the chin, but Akano continues to defend well. Tate rolls over and takes the back of Akano, where she starts to hammer away on her head. Akano rolls out of danger, but Tate remains in control by taking the back again. As she regains control, she begins to wail down on her head with numerous ground punches as the bell ends the fight. (Tate 10-9)
Official Decision – Tate over Akano unanimous decision