Strikeforce entered Kansas City, Kansas tonight for the fifth edition of their successful Challengers Series and MMARising.com has live coverage of the event as it happened, including the headlining welterweight bout between undefeated rising star Tyron “T-Wood” Woodley and Rudy Bears.
Also on the card was a women’s bantamweight bout between Kerry Vera and Kim Couture, where Vera brutally dispatched of Couture and got a measure of revenge for her husband Brandon, who was defeated by Couture’s ex-husband Randy at the recent UFC 105 event.
Tyron “T-Wood” Woodley vs Rudy “Bad News” Bears
Round 1:
Woodley connected with a right hook early on as the fighters looked to find their range. Bears answered with a one-two and clinched, but Woodley scored a quick takedown. Bears kept Woodley in half-guard, but Woodley trapped his arm and punched from the top. He tried to move to mount and then attempted an armbar, but Bears escaped to his feet.
Woodley landed two knees in a Thai clinch and Bears answered with a head kick. Woodley scored a takedown and tried to secure an arm-triangle choke. He passed Bears’s guard and locked up the choke, forcing Bears to immediately tap out. Another excellent win for Woodley.
Winner: Tyron Woodley by Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) at 2:52 of round one. He improves to 6-0-0.
Kerry Vera vs Kim “Sugar Free” Couture
Round 1:
Couture rushed in with wild punches and was clipped by a one-two from Vera. Couture clinched and Vera landed a big knee. A stiff jab followed for Vera and Couture tried to clinch again. Vera broke free with an elbow and a trio of punches. A right hook scored for Vera and she continued to find a home for her jab. A left hook rocked Couture and Vera backed her up.
Couture appeared to already be gassed and Vera landed a lead left hook. Couture, with her face swelling badly, clinched and tried for a takedown. Vera defended and landed a knee to the body, then teed off with punches. Couture wilted against the cage and Vera added another barrage of punches as a bloodied Couture collapsed to the mat.
Solid win for Vera, while Couture looked to be woefully overmatched and was never in the fight.
Winner: Kerry Vera by KO (Punches) at 3:35 of round one. She improves to 2-0-0.
Bobby Voelker vs Erik “Bad” Apple
Round 1:
Apple floored Voelker right away with a right hook and sent him to the mat a second time with a follow-up punch. Voelker managed to survive and battled back to his feet, but Apple pressed him against the cage and landed knees. Voelker regained his senses and the fighters traded knees. Voelker landed a nice right hook and Apple clinched again. Apple looked for a takedown, but Voelker defended.
Apple backed away and landed a one-two and a front kick, then scored a takedown. He moved to half-guard, but Voelker battled to his feet. Apple scored with a right hook and both fighters threw big punches. Voelker attempted a standing guillotine choke, but Apple escaped. Voelker reversed a trip takedown and landed some decent punches from the top. He continued to land punches until the bell. Good comeback for Voelker, but not enough to steal the round. 10-9 Apple.
Round 2:
Voelker opened round two with a quick flurry, but was tagged by a counter right hook. Both fighters teed off with punches and Voelker rocked Apple. Voelker scored a takedown and bloodied Apple with punches. Apple worked back to his feet, but Voelker dropped him like a rock with a huge right hook. A badly dazed Apple rolled to his knees and Voelker drilled him with more punches until the referee stopped the fight. Amazing back-and-forth battle.
Winner: Bobby Voelker by TKO (Punches) at 1:23 of round two. He improves to 21-7-0.
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