The fighters who will compete in the STRIKEFORCE Challengers mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Friday, July 23 weighed in on Thursday at the Ice Box at Comcast Arena at Everett in Everett, Wash.
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Shane Del Rosario (9-0) faces Lolohea Mahe (6-1-1) in the main event on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). Both talented fighters are looking for a big win to help them break through to the next level of STRIKEFORCE Heavyweights, a stacked division that features Alistair Overeem, Fedor Emelianenko, Fabricio Werdum, and Antonio Silva, among others.
Unbeaten STRIKEFORCE Women’s World Welterweight (135 pounds) Champion and former ballet dancer Sarah Kaufman (11-0) will put her perfect record as well as her crown on the line against international star Roxanne Modafferi (15-5) in the co-main event.
Bonney Lake’s Cory Devela (9-4) will return to the cage for the first time in more than a year to face dangerous Bobby Voelker (21-8) in a welterweight (170 pounds) battle. Devela took a year off from MMA to help his girlfriend battle cancer.
In other featured action, Abongo Humphrey (7-1) will take on Mike “Mak” Kyle (16-7-1) at light heavyweight and U.S. Army war veteran and Matt Hume protégé Caros Fodor (2-0, 1 NC), of Kirkland, Wash., will take on Cung Le pupil Thomas Diagne (1-1) in a lightweight matchup in the first televised bout of the evening.
Strikeforce Challengers provides today’s top prospects with the opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate their ability in a nationally televised event.
Comcast Arena at Everett doors will open for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at 5:15 p.m. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. PT. The first main card bout will start at 8 p.m.
Official Weigh-In Results:
Shane Del Rosario – 243.6 vs. Lolohea Mahe – 264
Sarah Kaufman – 134 vs. Roxanne Modafferi – 133.4
Cory Devela – 171 vs. Bobby Voelker – 170.4
Abongo Humphrey – 202.6 vs. Mike Kyle – 205.8
Caros Fodor – 155.6 vs. Thomas Diagne – 156
Fighter Quotes:
SHANE DEL ROSARIO:
“Training went well. I’ve been off for a while trying to make fights, but things kept falling through. It’s good to be back in here.
“He’s got a big hand and a tough chin. It’s going to be a hard fight, that’s for sure. I’m going to keep my hands up and do my thing.
“The plan is to move up to the big show. It’s cool that all my hard work is finally paying off. I just have to fight a smart fight tomorrow and hopefully move up to the big show with a win.”
LOLOHEA MAHE:
“Camp went well. I feel very prepared. I spent three weeks training in California, really just working on my cardio.
“As for the outcome, I know I’m prepared for whatever and I can go the distance, but you can expect me to finish it fast.”
SARAH KAUFMAN:
“Training couldn’t have gone any better. I had partners in my camp that were all preparing for fights, so it made it more fun and challenging.
“I’m expecting Roxy to bring a fight. I don’t think she’s going to back down, but I do think she’ll try to take it to the ground.
“I’m happy fighting anywhere that I can let my hands go. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the ground or standing.”
“I’m looking to knock her out. You always want to finish it.”
ROXANNE MODAFFERI:
“Sarah is a powerful fighter. I’m looking forward to the challenge of facing her.”
CORY DEVELA:
“I felt the pressure of fighting in front of my hometown last time I fought, so I let it go this time – no pressure.
“I haven’t fought in a while, but these guys won’t let me have any rust. They’ve been pushing me too hard for there to be any rust.
“I expect him to bleed. I will finish him – bleed and tap.”
BOBBY VOELKER:
“I weathered the storm my last couple of fights. Tomorrow night I’m bringing the storm.”
ABONGO HUMPHREY:
“Camp went extremely well. I was 205 pounds a month-and-a-half ago and I was able to control my diet and keep it there.
“At this weight, I have a lot of strength, movement and explosion.
“I know I need to set an example in this fight. This guy has a special story and he deserves special recognition. I owe him that.”
MIKE KYLE:
“You can expect a second a round knockout from me.”
CAROS FODOR:
“I’m excited to fight in front of my hometown fans and on SHOWTIME. Fighting on TV is a huge step for me. This is what I train for.
“I’m ready for everything in there. We had a great camp – I’m just ready for that bell to ring.”
THOMAS DIAGNE:
“I think he may try to take me down or box me, because he has strong hands, but I’m ready for everything.
“I’m not worried about the hometown crowd cheering him on. I’ll have my coaches behind me so that should be enough.
“Everything went well in training. I had a good camp and didn’t have any trouble making weight.”
Photos Courtesy of Esther Lin:
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Shane Del Rosario (right) faces Lolohea Mahe (left) in the main event of STRIKEFORCE Challengers on Friday.
Unbeaten STRIKEFORCE Women’s World Welterweight Champion and former ballet dancer Sarah Kaufman (left) will put her perfect record as well as her crown on the line against international star Roxanne Modafferi (right) in Friday’s co-main event.
Kaufman weighed in at 134 pounds and Modafferi measured 133.4 pounds during Thursday’s weigh in at the Ice Box at Comcast Arena at Everett in Everett, Washington, site of Friday’s event.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Comcast Arena at Everett box office (866-332-8499) as well as online at ComcastArenaEverett.com and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (http://www.strikeforce.com). Comcast Arena at Everett doors will open for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at 5:15 p.m. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. PT. The first main card bout will start at 8 p.m.
Hometown favorite Cory Devela (left), of Bonney Lake, Wash., will return to the cage for the first time in more than a year to face dangerous Bobby Voelker (right) in a welterweight battle. Devela took a year off from MMA to help his girlfriend battle cancer.
Abongo Humphrey (right) will take on Mike “Mak” Kyle (left) at light heavyweight in another featured, televised bout.
U.S. Army war veteran and Matt Hume protégé Caros Fodor (left), of Kirkland, Wash., will take on Cung Le pupil Thomas Diagne (right) in a lightweight matchup in the first televised bout of the evening.
The beautiful ROCKSTAR girls were a fan favorite during Thursday’s weigh in.
