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STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS 17 PRELIMINARY CARD PREVIEW

For the first time in the history of Strikeforce Challengers, a rubber match will take place as Roger Bowling and Bobby Voelker collide. The televised portion of the card will also be featuring the return of a former Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion. The preliminary card must take place first and as always with Strikeforce Challengers, up and coming prospects will be featured.

Kicking off the card is a lightweight division encounter as Sterling Ford (12-4-0) heads into battle against Brian McLaughlin (6-1-0). Sterling Ford enters the fight riding a five fight winning streak, with one of those victories coming over Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett. Brian McLaughlin does enter the fight with an impressive MMA record, but he hasn’t fought in nearly two years. Sterling Ford is way too talented to be dropping this fight, plus the long layoff of Brian McLaughlin will be a factor.

Another set of lightweights will go to battle next as Bill “The Grill” Cooper (1-0-0) takes on Maka Watson (4-0-0). Bill Cooper made an impactful professional debut this past February when he defeated Sam Rodriquez by submission in under thirty seconds. Maka Watson is an undefeated MMA fighter who hasn’t had an MMA fight in almost three full years. The long layoff is going to hurt Maka Watson in this fight as Bill Cooper wins to keep his undefeated streak alive.

Up next is a middleweight division affair as Ben “Bad News” Lagman (6-1-0) faces off with Anthony “Lionheart” Smith (12-7-0). Ben Lagman has spent his entire MMA career in the King Of The Cage promotion, but he hasn’t fought in over a year. Anthony Smith enters the fight riding a four fight winning streak, with two of those victories coming in the Extreme Challenge promotion. This fight is between two well-rounded competitors, but I see Anthony Smith getting the big victory here.

Headlining this portion of the card is a light heavyweight division fight as Carlos Augusto “Guto” Inocente Filho (5-0-0) faces Lionel Lanham (3-0-0). Carlos Augusto Inocente Filho will be making his North American MMA debut in this fight, but does so as an undefeated fighter. Lionel Lanham recently competed in the Shark Fights promotion, where he defeated Eric McElroy by TKO. This should be an entertaining stand up battle, but it will be Carlos Augusto Inocente Filho remaining undefeated.

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You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com

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