Several of the top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters taking part in Saturday's STRIKEFORCE Houston event made a visit to the Fisher House at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston on Tuesday. More than 8,500 guests have stayed at this "home away from home" for families of servicemen who are patients that were injured in the line of duty and are receiving medical care at the MEDVAMC.
In attendance were STRIKEFORCE fighters "King Mo" Lawal, Bobby Lashley, KJ Noons and Tim Kennedy, a former Army Special Forces sniper and Green Beret. Also attending and talking to patients was MMA fighter Jason "Mayhem" Miller, who is in town this week with "King Mo's" camp.
Saturday's fights will take place from the Toyota Center in Houston LIVE on SHOWTIME(r) at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
In the main event of a World Championship Doubleheader, undefeated STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight Champion "King Mo'' (7-0) will make the first defense of his crown against highly touted Brazilian Rafael "Feijao'' Cavalcante (9-2). In the co-feature, Kennedy (12-2) and world-class submission specialist Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (12-2-1) will battle for the vacant STRIKEFORCE Middleweight (185 pounds) title. Kennedy has served six tours of duty in the Middle East and is one of MMA's fastest rising stars.
Unbeaten heavyweight Lashley will take on MMA veteran and Tucson, Ariz., firefighter Chad Griggs in a featured bout. In another televised fight on SHOWTIME, ex-world champ Noons (9-2) will face Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt Jorge Gurgel (13-6) in a lightweight (155 pounds) match.
Photos Courtesy of Esther Lin:
