Heavyweight tourney victor Daniel Cormier emphasized the importance of technique over strength:

Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has no doubt that he deserved the judges’ nod in the rubber match of his trilogy with Josh Thomson:

Thomson believes he should have won, but isn’t sweating it:

Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante hopes for a chance to win the vacant title of Strikeforce’s light-heavyweight division:

Chris Spang exults in his first-round technical knockout of Nah-Shon Burrell after taking the welterweight fight on short notice:

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And that’s just fine with his likely next opponent, who’s expected to fight Mousasi for Strikeforce’s vacant light-heavyweight title.

Following a grueling training camp, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (12-3 MMA, 5-2 SF) – who made quick work of Mike Kyle at Saturday’s Strikeforce event – is looking for a little rest and relaxation before his tentative title fight with Mousasi (32-3-1 MMA, 3-1-1 SF), a fellow ex-champ.

Cavalcante stunned Kyle with a knee and ultimately tapped him out with a guillotine choke just 33 seconds into their Showtime-televised main-card fight, which was part of “Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final” at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. It was revenge for Cavalcante, who suffered a second-round knockout loss to Kyle three years ago at “Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields” in his promotional debit.

“It feels good,” Cavalcante said. “I’m back on track.”

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker concurred. And though many fans felt Cavalcante vs. Kyle II should have earned the winner a shot at the belt (one Dan Henderson vacated with his move to the UFC in late 2011), Coker said the belt soon will be on the line again.

“I think the likely candidate you’ll see in the future at some point (for Cavalcante) is Gegard Mousasi,” Coker said of the recovering fighter, who’s 4-0-1 since losing the belt to Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in 2010. “When that fight happens happens, I’m not sure – or if it all – but I think it’s a natural progression for ‘Feijao.’”

Since that Kyle loss back in 2009, “Feijao” is 5-1. It included winning the Strikeforce belt from Lawal, though he surrendered the belt to Henderson in his next outing.

Through it all, and especially after the first Kyle

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Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is expected to return in late summer at a currently unannounced card, likely in August.

Rousey (5-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) is expected to defend her title against former champ Sarah Kaufman (15-1 MMA, 6-1 SF).

The fight likely would serve as the Showtime-televised event’s headliner.

“I believe she’ll be fighting on that card, but it’s not official yet,” Coker said on Saturday following “Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final” at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Following a first-round armbar submission victory over Miesha Tate that won her the title in March, Rousey’s PR schedule has been busy. In April, she lobbied on behalf of Strikeforce parent company Zuffa to legalize MMA in New York and is expected to appear this fall in ESPN’s “The Body Issue.”

Rousey briefly stole the show when she signed autographs during a QA with UFC middleweight Michael Bisping in support of UFC on FOX 3 earlier this month. UFC president Dana White called Rousey a “rock star” prior to the event.

Trainer Cesar Gracie said Rousey is expected to prepare for Kaufman alongside “The Skrap Pack,” which includes brothers Nick and Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Jake Shields and others.

In eight fights (three amateur and five professional), Rousey has yet to see the second round. All of her opponents have succumbed to an armbar.

Kaufman, meanwhile, would be one of Rousey’s stiffest tests yet. She looks for her fourth straight win since losing her belt to Marloes Coenen in 2010. The heavy-handed Canadian recently has defeated the likes of Megumi Yabushita, Liz Carmouche and Alexis Davis.

For more on the Strikeforce in August card, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors/a section of the site.

(Pictured: Ronda Rousey)

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The arrest was also confirmed by his manager, Malki Kawa, in a statement.

“I can confirm that Jon Jones was arrested early this morning on suspicion of DUI,” Kawa said. “While the facts of this situation are still being gathered and situated, First Round Management fully supports Jon and we are asking for fans and media to respect the privacy of Jon and his family during this time.”

Jones (16-1) won the 205-pound UFC title last year by stopping Mauricio Rua and has defended the title three times since. His next bout is scheduled for Sept. 1 against Dan Henderson.

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In a statement, police said units were dispatched at 5:02 a.m. for a one-car accident. Jones’ 2012 Bentley struck a pole, according to the statement.

“While the facts of this situation are still being gathered and situated, First Round Management fully supports Jon and we are asking for fans and media to respect the privacy of Jon and his family during this time,� said Jones’ agent, Malki Kawa, in a statement released Saturday.

The incident was first reported by TMZ.

Jones was released to family members and was issued a ticket to appear at a later date, according to police.

Officials said the police report on the incident was not yet available and wouldn’t comment on whether there were other passengers in the vehicle.

Jones is currently scheduled to defend his title on Sept. 1 in Las Vegas at UFC 151 against Dan Henderson.

The alleged incident would appear to be out of character for Jones, who has garnered legions of fans with his clean-cut persona. Unfailingly polite and modest, Jones once chased down a man who he saw break into a car just hours before the biggest UFC bout of his career.

“You’ll never have to worry about me with a DWI or doing something crazy,� Jones said last month, as he discussed a sponsorship deal with UFC.

Jones won the UFC light heavyweight championship in March 2011, defeating legend Mauricio Rua. Since then, he’s beaten former champions Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida and, most recently, Rashad Evans, at UFC 145 last month in Atlanta.

UFC officials did not respond to requests for comment.

ddeibert@thestarphoenix.com

Twitter.com/davedeibert

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This Sunday night the show welcomes two talented competitors who call the UFC home in the form of lightweight Shane Roller and featherweight Dennis Bermudez. Also set to offer up some insight, BloodyElbow/Wrestling Observer writer Josh Nason will call in to reflect on the sport’s current landscape.

The 8-3 Bermudez, a former All-American wrestler, was a finalist on TUF 14 and recently picked up a dominating decision win over Pablo Garza earlier this month at UFC on FOX 3.

Roller (10-6) is also more-than familiar with work on the mat after being named an All-American three times during his storied career at Oklahoma State. The longtime Zuffa veteran holds wins over Jamie Varner, Thiago Tavares, Anthony Njokuani, and Danny Castillo under the company’s banner between his time in WEC/UFC. His next fight is scheduled for July 7 at UFC 148 where he’ll face John Alessio.

Interested listeners can also contribute to the show by submitting questions for guests via Twitter or email (RebellionMMARadio@yahoo.com).

Catch Rebellion MMA Radio live on Sunday at 6:30 PM EST where the guys offer their own unique takes on all-things MMA.

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Strikeforce broadcasters announced during Saturday night’s “Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final” that Nate Marquardt (31-10-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Tyron Woodley (10-0 MMA, 8-0 SF) will meet on July 14 with the belt on the line.

The card, which also features Strikeforce middleweight champ Luke Rockhold defending his belt against Tim Kennedy, takes place at Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. The evening’s main card airs on Showtime and prelims air on Showtime Extreme.

The official announcement is undoubtedly music to the ears of both fighters, who have seen extended time on the shelf. As recently as March, Woodley pined for confirmation of the bout, though he admittedly preferred it to take place at Saturday’s event. Regardless, he said then he was moving forward with training for the bout.

Marquardt, who signed with Strikeforce in February, could also use the activity. He was released in January from a contract with British MMA promotion BAMMA. Although scheduled to make his promotional debut at BAMMA 9 against UFC vet Yoshiyuki Yoshida, the fight never came to fruition. He hasn’t fought since UFC 128, when he outpointed Dan Miller.

Marquardt was released from the UFC after failing to gain medical clearance to fight Rick Story at UFC on Versus 4. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the event this past June, wouldn’t clear him when pre-fight blood tests revealed his testosterone levels to be outside the commission’s allowable limits. He later revealed the failed test was the result of doctor-recommended testosterone replacement therapy.

For more on “Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy,” stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Tyron Woodley)

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Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is targeted to appear at “Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy,” which takes place July 14 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore.

Rousey (5-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) is expected to defend her title against former champ Sarah Kaufman (15-1 MMA, 6-1 SF).

If booked, it’d be the third title fight on the night’s Showtime-televised main card, which also includes middleweight champ Luke Rockhold (9-1 MMA, 8-0 SF) vs. Tim Kennedy (14-3 MMA, 5-1 SF), as well as Nate Marquardt (31-10-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) vs. Tyron Woodley (10-0 MMA, 8-0 SF) for the vacant welterweight title.

“I believe she’ll be fighting on that card, but it’s not official yet,” Coker said on Saturday following “Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final” at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Following a first-round armbar submission victory over Miesha Tate that won her the title in March, Rousey’s PR schedule has been busy. In April, she lobbied on behalf of Strikeforce parent company Zuffa to legalize MMA in New York and is expected to appear this fall in ESPN’s “The Body Issue.”

Rousey briefly stole the show when she signed autographs during a QA with UFC middleweight Michael Bisping in support of UFC on FOX 3 earlier this month. UFC president Dana White called Rousey a “rock star” prior to the event.

Trainer Cesar Gracie said Rousey is expected to prepare for Kaufman alongside “The Skrap Pack,” which includes brothers Nick and Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Jake Shields and others.

In eight fights (three amateur and five professional), Rousey has yet to see the second round. All of her opponents have succumbed to an armbar.

Kaufman, meanwhile, would be one of Rousey’s stiffest tests yet. She looks for her fourth straight win since losing her belt to

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Next weekend the UFC will showcase its star-studded heavyweight division, devoting a full main card to the big guys, including a championship bout and a former champ’s shot at redemption. Every top heavyweight who’s not injured, unlicensed or otherwise engaged will be there in Las Vegas.

Except one.

OK, Daniel Cormier is not a UFC fighter, but he showed Saturday night in San Jose, Calif., that he ought to be. In the most impressive performance of his still-formative MMA career, the 33-year-old, two-time Olympic wrestler remained unbeaten (10-0) by taking apart the best fighter he’s ever faced, onetime UFC titleholder Josh Barnett, to win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

The victory earned Cormier a shiny championship belt that he’ll defend against … whom? Whom does Strikeforce have to challenge Cormier?

The answer is no one.

We already knew that Cormier, irrespective of his doughy physique, is an elite athlete. His fourth-place finish in the 2004 Olympics and his 2001 status as the best collegiate 184-pound wrestler not named Cael Sanderson earned him that acknowledgment. But Saturday night’s dominant unanimous-decision victory, coming on the heels of his KO of Fedor-smasher Antonio Silva last September when he entered the Grand Prix as an alternate, sewed up Cormier’s standing as a top-shelf MMA fighter. And top-shelf MMA fighters belong not in Strikeforce but in its alpha cousin in the Zuffa corporate family, the UFC.

Cormier is not politicking for that, though. “I just want to focus on the fact that I just beat Josh Barnett,” he said in the

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In a statement, police said they dispatched units at 5:02 a.m. for a one-car accident. Jones’ 2012 Bentley struck a pole, according to the statement.

Jones was released to family members and was issued a ticket to appear at a later date, police said.

Officials said the police report on the incident was not yet available and wouldn’t comment on whether there were other passengers in the vehicle.

Jones is a native of upstate New York and lives in Ithaca.

Jones is the UFC’s 205-pound champion and one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts. The 24-year-old former college wrestler has skyrocketed to the top of his sport since turning pro in April 2008, going 16-1 with an unmatched combination of incredible athleticism and ever-improving technique.

He won the UFC light heavyweight title in March 2011 with a third-round stoppage of Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. He has defended his belt three times against elite 205-pounders Lyoto Machida, Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans, who lost a unanimous decision to Jones on April 21 in Atlanta. Jones had never even been stretched to a five-round decision during his MMA career before beating Evans, his bitter rival, on a pay-per-view show.

His next bout is expected to be Sept. 1 against veteran Dan Henderson at UFC 151 in Las Vegas, although the UFC hasn’t formally scheduled the fight.

Jones is one of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view stars, with lucrative endorsement deals and a growing national profile after appearing on “The Tonight Show” and in other national media. Jones also is a devout Christian who had a squeaky-clean image before this arrest.

Jones has two brothers who play in the NFL: Baltimore defensive lineman Arthur Jones

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