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Caros Fodor (5-2-0) vs. Ousmane Thomas Diagne (1-1-0)
Caros Fodor will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the Genesis Fights promotion. While in Genesis Fights, Caros Fodor defeated Taurean Washington and Blaine Macintosh, while suffering a lone defeat to Donny Van Horn. Despite competing in seven professional MMA fights, only one has gone to a decision for Caros Fodor, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. Caros Fodor also competed in the King Of The Cage promotion, defeating Nick Meginnis by submission. Caros Fodor will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with all of his MMA victories coming by way of submission. Ousmane Thomas Diagne has had an interesting run in the Strikeforce promotion, defeating Kaleo Kwan and suffering a defeat to Merritt Warren. Like his trainer Cung Le, Ousmane Thomas Diagne has fought his entire MMA career in the Strikeforce promotion. It has been more than eight months since Ousmane Thomas Diagne has competed in a professional MMA fight, so cage rust can become a factor in the fight. Ousmane Thomas Diagne will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, as he is training under legendary striker Cung Le.
My Prediction: Caros Fodor
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Mike “MAK†Kyle (16-7-1) vs. Ron “Abongo†Humphrey (7-1-0)
Mike Kyle has had a poor run in the Strikeforce promotion, defeating Rafael Cavalcante, while suffering defeats to both Fabricio Werdum and Wayne Cole. Mike Kyle also had a successful run in the UFC, defeating James Irvin and Wes Simms, while suffering a defeat to Justin Eilers. It has been nearly a year since Mike Kyle last fought in Strikeforce, last competing at the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event. Mike Kyle will be entering the fight riding a four fight winning streak, which has lasted over eight months. Mike Kyle will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with eleven victories coming by knockout. Ron Humphrey has had an interesting run in Strikeforce, defeating George Bush III and suffering a defeat to Brett Rogers. Ron Humphrey also fought in the International Sport Combat Federation, defeating John Garner, Chris Herring and Nick Thomas. Ron Humphrey started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a six fight undefeated streak that had lasted nearly six years. Of his eight professional MMA fights, none have gone to a decision for Ron Humphrey, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. Ron Humphrey will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with six victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Mike Kyle
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Cory Devela (9-4-0) vs. Bobby Voelker (21-8-0)
Cory Devela has had a poor run in the Strikeforce promotion, defeating Joe Riggs, while suffering defeats to both Terry Martin and Luke Rockhold. Prior to debuting for Strikeforce in 2008, Cory Devela had already fought UFC veterans Ed Herman and Lodune Sincaid. Cory Devela also fought in the Sport Fight promotion, defeating the duo of Lodune Sincaid and John Krohn. It has been over a year since Cory Devela last competed in an MMA fight, so cage rust can become a factor in the fight. Cory Devela will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with six victories coming by way of submission. Bobby Voelker has had an interesting run in Strikeforce, defeating Erik Apple and suffering a defeat to Roger Bowling. Prior to entering Strikeforce in 2009, Bobby Voelker had fought UFC veterans Kyle Bradley and Jacob Volkmann. Bobby Voelker had also competed in other promotions like the Titan Fighting Championships, Victory Fighting Championships and other promotions. It has only been two months since Bobby Voelker last competed in an MMA fight, so conditioning could be a factor in the fight. Bobby Voelker will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with thirteen victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Bobby Voelker
Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Title Fight
Sarah Kaufman (11-0-0) (Champion) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (15-5-0)
Sarah Kaufman is currently undefeated in Strikeforce, defeating Miesha Tate, Shayna Baszler and Takayo Hashi. Sarah Kaufman is the current Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion, defeating Takayo Hashi to become the first champion. Sarah Kaufman also fought in the King Of The Cage promotion, defeating both Sarah Draht and Misty Shearer. Sarah Kaufman will be entering the fight riding an eleven fight undefeated streak, which has lasted over four years. Sarah Kaufman will be looking to use her striking skills to win the fight, with eight victories coming by knockout. Roxanne Modafferi is currently winless in Strikeforce, suffering a defeat to Marloes Coenen at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers. Roxanne Modafferi most recently competed at the debut event for Moosin MMA, defeating Tara LaRosa by split decision. Roxanne Modafferi also won the first ever K-Grace Women’s Tournament, defeating Hee Jin Lee, Megumi Yabushita and Marloes Coenen. Roxanne Modafferi will be entering the fight riding a two fight winning streak, which has lasted nearly seven months. Roxanne Modafferi will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with four victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Sarah Kaufman
Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight
Shane Del Rosario (9-0-0) vs. Lolohea Mahe (4-1-1)
Shane Del Rosario is currently undefeated in Strikeforce competition, having defeated Brandon Cash at Strikeforce Challengers 4. Shane Del Rosario also competed in the M-1 Challenge promotion, defeating Dool Hee Lee, Maxim Grishin and Lloyd Marshbanks. Shane Del Rosario will be entering the fight riding a nine fight undefeated streak, which has lasted nearly four years. Of his nine professional MMA fights, none have gone to a decision for Shane Del Rosario, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. Shane Del Rosario will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with seven victories coming by knockout. Lolohea Mahe is currently winless in Strikeforce competition, having suffered a defeat to Lavar Johnson at Strikeforce Challengers 7. Lolohea Mahe also fought in the X-1 MMA promotion, defeating Desi Miner and fighting Scott Junk to a draw. Lolohea Mahe started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a four fight undefeated streak that had lasted over two years. Prior to entering Strikeforce in 2010, Lolohea Mahe had already fought UFC veteran Scott Junk at an X-1 MMA event. Lolohea Mahe will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with three victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Shane Del Rosario
(Note: I will be providing live coverage of Strikeforce Challengers 9 right here on PWInsiderXtra on Friday Night July 23rd at 11pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
