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Kevin Casey (2-1-0) vs. Chad Vance (5-3-0)
Kevin Casey will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but will be entering the fight riding a two fight winning streak. In those two straight victories, Kevin Casey defeated the duo of Andrew Flores and Jimmy Mills, both in 2008. Kevin Casey made his MMA debut in an auspicious manner, in the K-1 Hero’s Tournament Final event against Ikuhisa Minowa. Kevin Casey will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with half of his career victories coming by submission. Chad Vance will also be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but is a veteran of the American Fighting Association. While in the American Fighting Association, Chad Vance defeated Raymond Lewis, Jeremy Daniels, Richard Lawson and Justin Robertson. Following those four straight victories to kick off his MMA career, Chad Vance his since lost three of his last four fights. Chad Vance will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with three victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Chad Vance
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Aaron Rosa (12-2-0) vs. Rafael “Feijao†Cavalcante (7-2-0)
Aaron Rosa made his Strikeforce debut at the first Strikeforce Challengers Series event in May 2009, defeating Anthony Ruiz by submission. Aaron Rosa started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a ten fight undefeated streak that lasted nearly two years. Aaron Rosa has also competed in the Elite XC promotion, defeating Jefferson Silva, while suffering defeats to Jared Hamman and Jamie Fletcher. Aaron Rosa will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with five victories coming by knockout. Rafael Cavalcante made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields, losing to Mike Kyle by TKO. Rafael Cavalcante is also a veteran of the Elite XC and International Fight League promotions, where he defeated Devin Cole, John Doyle, Wayne Cole and Travis Galbraith, suffering a defeat to Marcio Cruz. Of his nine professional fights, Rafael Cavalcante has seen none of his fights go to a decision, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Rafael Cavalcante will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with six victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Rafael Cavalcante
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Erik Apple (10-1-0) vs. Bobby Volker (20-7-0)
Erik Apple will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but started of his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a nine fight undefeated streak. Erik Apple has also appeared in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, losing to Brock Larson by submission. Early in his MMA career, Erik Apple defeated current Strikeforce Lightweight Champion James Thomson at a Total Combat event in 2005. Erik Apple will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with six victories coming by way of submission. Bobby Voelker will also be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but has already gotten a victory over UFC veteran Kyle Bradley. Early in his MMA career, Bobby Voelker went on an eight fight winning streak that lasted well over a year. This fight against Erik Apple will mark the fifth fight of 2009 for Bobby Voelker, and he won three of those four previous fights. Bobby Voelker will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with twelve victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Erik Apple
Strikeforce Women’s 135lb. Division Fight
Kerry Vera (1-0-0) vs. Kim “Sugar Free†Couture (1-1-0)
Kerry Vera will be making her Strikeforce debut in this fight, but has already competed in the highly touted Bellator Fighting Championships promotion. While in the Bellator Fighting Championships, Kerry Vera defeated Leslie Smith by unanimous decision. Kerry Vera won her first MMA fight by the aforementioned decision and is the UFC of UFC veteran Brandon Vera. Kim Couture made her Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Destruction in 2008, defeating Lina Kvokov by TKO. In her other MMA appearance, Kim Couture lost to Kim Rose by unanimous decision at a Banner Promotions event in 2008. Kim Couture is the ex-wife of UFC veteran Randy Couture and will be looking to use her striking skills to win the fight, with her lone MMA victory coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Kerry Vera
Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Tyron “T-Wood†Woodley (5-0-0) vs. Rudy Bears (10-3-0)
Tyron Woodley is a veteran of Strikeforce competition, defeating the duo of Sal Woods and Zach Light in his two previous appearances. Of his five professional fights, none of them have gone to a decision for Tyron Woodley, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Tyron Woodley is an undefeated fighter with a five fight undefeated streak that has lasted over three years. Tyron Woodley will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with all five of his victories coming by way of submission. Rudy Bears will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but will be entering the fight on a six fight winning streak. Rudy Bears has already fought Strikeforce veteran Zak Cummings at an FM Productions event in early 2008. The year 2008 was the biggest year in the MMA of Rudy Bears, where he fought eight times that year and he won six of those eight fights. Rudy Bears recently competed in the M-1 Challenge event in August 2009, where he defeated Brendan Sequin by TKO. Rudy Bears is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with eight victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Tyron Woodley
(Note: I will be doing live coverage of Strikeforce: Woodley vs. Bears this Friday Night November 20th right here on PWInsiderXtra at 11pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
