Strikeforce Challengers Weigh-In, Photos and Quotes

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Tomorrow/Friday, June 19, On SHOWTIME; Telecast Begins at 1“STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS’’ 1 p.m. ET/PT from the ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash.

KENT, Wash. (June 18, 2009) — The main event weigh-in produced some pushing and shoving Thursday as Evangelista “Cyborg” and “Smokin” Joe Villasenor squared off a day before their huge Strikeforce Challengers, middleweight fight to take place Friday, June 19, at the ShoWare Center at Kent, Wash., live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

After Cyborg weighed in for their 185-pound fight at 184 ½ pounds and Villasenor 185 pounds, both fighters met face to face. Things got a little too close for comfort and Cyborg pressed his head hard against Villasenor who then pushed back before words were exchanged. At one point, Cyborg pushed Villasenor by the throat before both fighters had to be separated.

Each of the other eight fighters taking part in the televised portion of the show also made weight and squared off without incident.

In the main event on SHOWTIME, Villasenor of Albuquerque, N.M., faces Cyborg of Rondonopolis Mato Grosso, Brazil, in a clash of top-notch middleweights. In another huge middleweight matchup, Nick “the Goat” Thompson takes on highly regarded Tim Kennedy, an Army Ranger and Special Forces sniper.

This is the second edition of the Strikeforce Challengers series from leading MMA promoter Strikeforce and premium television network SHOWTIME. The five-fight telecasts airs at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Strikeforce Challengers is a proving ground for up-and-coming MMA fighters. The series is designed to provide today’s top prospects with the opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate their ability in a nationally televised event.

Other bouts on SHOWTIME: Cory “The One” Devela of Bonney Lake, Wash., faces Luke Rockhold of Santa Cruz, Calif. (middleweights), Sarah Kaufman of Victoria, Canada, takes on Shayna “The Queen Of Spades’’ Baszler of Sioux Falls, S.D., in a 135-pound women’s fight and Jorge Gurgel of Cincinnati, Ohio, will collide with Conor “Hurricane’’ Heun of Boulder, Colo., in a 155-pound scrap.

ShoWare Center doors will open for the Strikeforce Challengers event at 5:30 p.m. PT.

Mauro Ranallo will call the action from cageside with Stephen Quadros and Pat Miletich serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is David Dinkins, Jr., with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast info and more, visit the SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

Friday’s non-televised fights: Dennis “Superman” Hallman (40-12-20) of Yelm, Wash., vs. Justin Davis (11-7) Olympia, Wash., at 195 pounds; Brian Caraway (10-3) of Seattle, Wash., vs. Alex Zuniga (2-1) of Everett, Wash., at 146 pounds; Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (9-0) of Spokane, Wash., vs. Duane “Bang” Ludwig (18-8) of Denver, Colo., at 160 pounds; Landon “The Show” Showalter (7-12-1) of Arlington, Va., vs. George Stork (4-2) of Kennewick, Wash., at 186 pounds; Len Bentley (3-2) of Olympia, Wash., vs. Marques Daniels (1-2) of Tacoma, Wash., at 156 pounds; and Steve Hadsel (1-0) of Spanaway, Wash., vs. Taylor Roberts (1-1) of Seattle, Wash.