Strikeforce returned to the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California tonight for Strikeforce Challengers 11. The main event featured a welterweight rematch between “Relentless” Roger Bowling and “Vicious” Bobby Voelker. The two first squared off in May in a bout that ended early due to an eye poke.
Also on the card, Lavar “Big” Johnson looked to pick up another win when he faces Virgil “Rezdog” Zwicker, while Shana “Rock Solid” Olsen and Julia “The Jewel” Budd both made their Strikeforce debuts. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for all of the fights on the event’s main card.
Former two-division King of Pancrase Kiuma Kunioku has stepped in on a week’s notice to face knockout artist Maximo “Maxi” Blanco at Sengoku Raiden Championship 15 on October 30th in Tokyo, Japan. Kunioku will replace Leonardo Santos, who withdrew from the fight earlier this week.
Reigning Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez picked up another victory tonight when he stopped former UFC contender Roger “El Matador” Huerta in a non-title bout at Bellator 33. The entertaining fight was stopped on the advice of the cageside doctor following the second round.
Damien Roche, the former promoter of the Fury MMA promotion in Macau, has professed his innocence and claims that he is not to blame for a failed show earlier this month that left fighters stranded in the country. Roche blames the situation on an elaborate setup by former associates Kevin Don and Olivier Doleuze, who accused him of embezzling millions.
Recent Bellator tournament participant Jessica Pene will drop down to 105 pounds to face talented striker Amy “Lil’ Dynamite” Davis at The Cage Inc.’s “Battle At The Border 7” on November 19th. The fight marks Pene’s debut in the strawweight division as she looks to rebound from her first defeat.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship made its return to the O2 Arena in London, England today for UFC 120: “Bisping vs Akiyama.” The event was headlined by a middleweight matchup between British standout Michael “The Count” Bisping and former DREAM star Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion Marloes “Rumina” Coenen will no longer compete on today’s Glory 12 card in Amsterdam. Coenen was set to face Lena Buytendijk just one week after capturing the Strikeforce title, but it was announced during the event that the fight had been cancelled.
Despite a change in opponent, pound-for-pound standout Tara LaRosa will return to action on November 24th for the new DaMMAge Fight League in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She will face former Strikeforce title challenger and final Smackgirl Middleweight Champion Takayo Hashi at 125 pounds.