Strikeforce Challengers 3 Predictions: Strikeforce Kennedy vs Cummings Picks - September 25, 2009

Pro Fighting Fans is the home of Strikeforce MMA fans across the globe and we now bring you the best place to find the latest Strikeforce Challengers series preview & predictions. Strikeforce Challengers 3 is set for September 25, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and our Strikeforce Challengers 3 predictions & preview are posted below for MMA fans across the globe to enjoy. Be sure to check out the great MMA t-shirts & apparel and buy Strikeforce tickets online here through Pro Fighting Fans and keep checking back for updates to the Strikeforce Challengers 4: Evangelista vs Gurgel fight card!

A middleweight bout between prospects Tim Kennedy and Zak Cummings will headline the third edition of the Strikeforce Challengers series. Cummings takes the main card positon that was vacant after Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos had to withdraw due to an injury. Both fighters are coming into the September 25 bout off of impressive stoppage victories.

The Spirit Bank Event Center located in Bixby, Oklahoma will play host to the event which is broadcast live on Showtime networks. Ex-UFC fighters Kevin Jordan, Zach Light, and Paul Bradley will also be featured. Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier will debut on the main card and Ray Sefo, a multiple world kickboxing champion, will also make the televised portion.

The series is known as a proving ground for up and coming fighters that are trying to make a name in the world of mixed martial arts. It also allows prospects the chance to demonstrate their skills through a nationally televised event. The main card is scheduled to air beginning at 11 PM EST.

> Find the Strikeforce September 25 fight results after the fights are complete at Pro Fighting Fans, check out the Strikeforce schedule online.

Travis Calanoc vs. Thomas Longarce

Two undefeated lightweights do battle on the main card as “The Dark Knight,” Travis Calanoc (3-0), squares off against Thomas “Thunderkick” Longarce (3-0).

Calanoc, 26, prepares for his fight with help from his teammates at the Underdawgs Fight Center located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Strikeforce rookie has stopped two of his three opponents so far, defeating Renato Tavares via TKO and John Swanburg by submission. He has fought exclusively for the Oklahoma-based Freestyle Cage Fighting organization, most recently in April of 2008.

A veteran of Chuck Norris’ World Combat League, Thomas Longarce will also step in the Strikeforce cage for the very first time. After knocking out Chris Looper in his debut last November, he has had to go the distance in his last two bouts, winning via unanimous decision in both fights. “Thunderkick” has participated for the Extreme Fight League and XFL organizations since moving into mixed martial arts.

Prediction: Longarce over Calanoc via TKO

Zach Light vs. Tyron Woodley

Zach Light (6-8), a former UFC fighter trying to start a comeback, will fight budding superstar, Tyron “T-Wood” Woodley (3-0) in a welterweight bout on the main card of the Strikeforce Challengers 3 fight card.

“The Lisbon Outlaw,” named after his hometown of Lisbon, Iowa, Zach Light, is searching for any type of victory. After winning his first two career bouts and appearing on a UFC and WEC fight card, Light disappeared from competition for roughly three plus years. In November 2006, Light returned, but has yet to produce consistent performances. His subpar 3-5 record since returning symbolizes that this main card position may be his last chance to impress on any big stage show. The 35 year-old Team Punishment fighter has lost his last three fights, being stopped in the 1 st round in each bout. His most recent cage action was at EFC 6 last October when he was knocked out mid way through the 1 st round by Kajan Johnson.

Tyron “T-Wood” Woodley, 27, has a sparkling wrestling pedigree dating back to his undefeated 48-0 record in high school wrestling near his St. Louis home. He continued on to become a two-time All- American wrestler at the University of Missouri after his successful high school career. So far in his short professional MMA career, he has posted three consecutive 1st round submission victories. This will be the St. Charles MMA fighter’s second straight Strikeforce start. He converted with a brabo choke against Sal Woods on the preliminary card of the Lawler vs. Shields event in June.

Prediction: Woodley over Light via submission

Kevin Jordan vs. Ray Sefo

Former two-time UFC fighter, Kevin “The Shaman” Jordan (11-7) will welcome former six-time world kickboxing champion, Ray Sefo (1-0) back into MMA after four years have passed since his last fight.

Fighting for fourteen different promotions through his nine plus years in mixed martial arts, Jordan is a true journeyman fighter. His introduction into MMA was a rocky one, starting 1-2 losing to both Wesley “Cabbage” Correira and Travis Wiuff. He recovered to win seven consecutive bouts to earn his way into the UFC heavyweight division. Both Paul Buentello and Gabriel Gonzaga easily defeated the 6’3” 245 pound Alabama native, ending his UFC career after only two fights. He has performed with mixed results since parting ways with the UFC, compiling a 3-3 record, most recently defeating UFC legend Patrick Smith at the end of July while fighting for American Steel Cagefighting.

After successful careers as both a professional boxer then professional kickboxer, “Sugarfoot” is now entering the world of MMA full-time. Sefo fought once before, a 2005 K-1 Hero’s bout against Min Soo Kim where he used a high head kick to KO Kim early in the 2 nd round. Now training and teaching at the popular Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, the thirty-eight year old New Zealand native wants to give an honest attempt at fighting in the cage. He has notable K-1 victories against Jerome LaBanner, Peter Aerts, Bob Sapp, and Mark Hunt.

Prediction: Sefo over Jordan via TKO

Strikeforce Challengers 3 Main Event: Zak Cummings vs Tim Kennedy

Undefeated middleweight prospect, Zak Cummings (10-0) replaces the injured Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos in the main event of Strikeforce: Challengers 3 against Army Green Beret, Tim Kennedy (10-2).

It has only been two plus years since Zak Cummings began his professional MMA career, of which, he has posted victories in the TFC, FM Productions, MCC, ISCF and XCF organizations. The twenty-five year old prospect has only been to a decision three times in his career which also includes seven stoppages. The well-rounded fighter lists Terry Martin as his most notable victory, happening at a XCF event in February. In May, Cummings posted another victory, this a TKO win against Dominic Brown while fighting for FM Productions.

Tim Kennedy finally has the opportunity to focus full time on his budding MMA career that began over eight years ago by losing to Scott Smith in his rookie bout. After losing to Smith, Kennedy strung together eight consecutive victories including a decision over Jason “Mayhem” Miller in 2003. Four years later, Miller returned the favor by outscoring Kennedy for a decision victory on a HDNet Fights card, ending his streak. Fighting sparingly over the next two years, Kennedy has won his last two bouts, among them a June submission victory against Nick “The Goat” Thompson on a Strikeforce Challengers 2 card. Kennedy has stopped nine of the ten opponents that he has earned victories against.

> Find all of the Strikeforce Challengers 3 results as the fights become official online here at Pro Fighting Fans!

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer

Strikeforce fighter pictures used with permission from Strikeforce