by Brian Oswald, Inside Fights, Special to FOXSports.com

Jake Shields used his array of submission moves to full effect. (Esther Lin/Strikeforce / Special to FOXSports.com)

Two of those assets collided in the main event with former Elite XC champions Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler facing off. Shields made work of Lawler, forcing him to submit in the first round.

Shields looked more then competent on his feet and kept the more powerful Lawler at bay with an effective use of leg kicks. Before the crowd realized it, Lawler was in one of Shield's patented submissions (a guillotine) and was forced to tap out.

At the post-fight press conference Lawler spoke about the fight, "I felt good out there. ... I stuffed his first takedown. He was getting good leg kicks off. I overcommitted with my right undertook when I had him up against the cage. He transitioned right into a guillotine chock and put a lot of pressure on my neck and was able to sink it in. He is the best at what he does."

For Shields, the win moves him to the head of the class in a stacked middleweight division.

"Robbie is a phenomenal fighter and it looked like we were setting up for a war. I was able to set him up with the leg kicks. From there, I was fortunate to find my opportunity early and I seized on it. Once I locked in that guillotine I just started squeezing tight and I could tell when Robbie knew it was over. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lawler and me fighting again soon."

Shields went on to say he was comfortable fighting a both 170 and 185 pounds. "From here, I am looking for the biggest fights out there. That includes title fights in both divisions."

In the night's other "middleweight" bought, fought at a catch weight of 180 pounds, Nick Diaz got the better of a game Scott Smith for two rounds. While Smith put up a valiant effort, landing his fair share of shots, Diaz was too skilled. Diaz peppered Smith with combinations that had Smith on the verge of quitting as the second round ended.

Smith answered the bell for the third round but didn't last much longer. Diaz used his striking to put Smith on the ground. From there, Smith gave his back to Diaz, which allowed Diaz to force a fatigued Smith with a rear-naked choke.

The middleweight division is currently on hold as champion Cung Le is busy making movies. Earlier Saturday, he spoke out about the short term future of the division." I talked to Scott (Coker) and he said he is going to do an interim belt very soon. I talked to him last week and it is going to happen after (the Lawler-Shields) fight."

Putting together an interim title fight got a bit tricky though based on the respective winners in the two middleweight bouts. Shields and Diaz are both Caesar Gracie pupils so a fight between the two for an interim belt is out of the question.

At the post-fight conference Mike Afromowitz, Strikeforce director of communications, said organizers will have to take a look at what makes the most sense for their deepest division and move forward from there.

The Heavyweight division

In what many would consider a huge upset, Brett Rogers breezed by former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.

Rogers pressed the action from beginning, landing several punishing punches in the process. All were all shocked to see Arlovski, who was pushed against the cage by Rogers, crumple to the canvas in under a minute.

Arlovski made an effort to get up but famed referee "Big" John McCarthy stepped in to end the fight. For Arlovski, his supsect chin was once again his downfall, although getting hit by the 260-pound Rogers is nothing to scoff at.

In the post-fight press conference, Rogers (10-0) spoke with a combination of confidence and humbleness.

When asked if he broke a sweat, Rogers quietly laughed and responded with, "A little bit man.

"It was short and to the point. Basically, I wanted to go in and keep the heat on him. I didn't want to give him a chance. I had a lot of respect for Arlovski going into this fight. I went in there with heavy shots and landed four or five. He wasn't really moving much. I am not really sure what was going on with him."

The newest heavyweight star went on to say he wants a title fight with Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. He also added that he wants to fight the best heavyweights in all of MMA and mentioned Fedor Emelianenko specifically. Emelianenko, who was in attendance for the press conference, will likely keep an eye on the emergent Rogers.

Luckily for Rogers, his wish to fight Overeem will likely be granted for Aug. 15. Overeem is slated to fight on that card, and Rogers said he would be ready to go by then.

Overall, Saturday's fight card was a positive step forward for Strikeforce as it continues to build its brand across the United States.

With stars like Shields, Diaz and now Rogers in the mix, fans have a lot to look forward to.