September 29, 2008
Strikeforce MMA Heads To Colorado With Star-Studded Lineup
SAN JOSE, Calif. — World championship mixed martial arts (MMA) federation Strikeforce is set to make its highly-anticipated debut in Colorado with a pack of Denver-area superstars, including world champion knockout artist Duane “Bang” Ludwig (16-8) and “Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson, at Broomfield Event Center on Friday.
Also in action on the 10 bout cage fight card will be two-time UFC championship challenger and former Pride Fighting Championship superstar Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg (17-6), who will square off with Hawaiian submission wizard, Falaniko “Niko” Vitale (26-8), in a middleweight (185 lb. limit) contest.
Ludwig will attempt to avenge the brutal, 52 second knockout that he suffered at the hands of Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” season three contestant, Sam “The Squeeze” Morgan (19-11), at the same arena on April 9, 2005.
The stunning 22-year-old Waterson, best known as a competitor on Oxygen reality series, “Fight Girls,” will take on Tyra Parker.
Other locals in action include Donnie Liles (11-5), who will battle The Ultimate Fighter” season four veteran, “The Secret Weapon” Pete Spratt (18-14), in a welterweight (170 lb. limit) showdown; and undefeated ToughMan contest competitor, Andre “The Silencer” Walker (2-3), who will meet two-time New York State Metropolitan Boxing Champion and fellow light heavyweight (205 lb. limit), Carlos Zevallos (0-0).
LA Boxing head trainer, Luke “Lil’ Hulk” Caudillo (15-11), will go toe to toe with undefeated striking sensation, Billy Evangelista (7-0), in a lightweight (155 lb. limit) showdown.
“The NY Badass” Phil Baroni (13-10) will return to the cage to face “King” James Martinez (4-9), a veteran of Versus network’s “The Contender Muay Thai” reality show.
Tickets for Strikeforce “Payback,” priced from $30, are on sale at Ticketmaster (303-830-TIXS) and Ticketmaster.com
Broomfield Event Center doors will open for Strikeforce “Payback” at 5:30 PM MST and the preliminary card will begin at 6:30 PM MST. The main card will commence at 8 PM MST.
