Strikeforce Challengers 9 Fight Card Results - July 23 Strikeforce Results

The 9th edition of the ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers Series took place on July 23, 2010 at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington and was televised on Showtime. Find the fight card for the Strikeforce Challengers 9 event below as well as our recap of the televised fights followed by the official Strikeforce Challengers 9 results and find historic Strikeforce results online here at ProFighting-fans.com.

Thomas Diagne vs. Caros Fodor

Local lightweight prospect Caros Fodor (3-0, 1 NC) dominated all three rounds of his Strikeforce Challengers 9 main card bout against Paris, France and American Kickboxing Academy’s Thomas Diagne (1-2) to walk away with the unanimous decision victory at last night’s Showtime-televised broadcast event.

The 26 year-old former United States Marine dropped Diagne early with a short left hook, but was unable to finish Diagne, who had former lightweight champion Josh Thomson in his corner, spending much of the remainder of the round and bout in the clinch. From the clinch, it was Fodor who had the most success, using knees, short elbows, and short punches to grind out his one-sided victory. Fodor did almost finish Diagne at the end of the 2 nd round with a kimura, but the former Sanshou boxer found a way to get out and complete the fight.

Fodor did earn all three judge’s favor at the end of the 15-minute affair, giving him his third win in four career contests. He looks to be well on his way to a successful mixed martial arts career. Diagne has now lost two of his three official bouts, including twice on Strikeforce promoted events.

Abongo Humphrey vs. Mike Kyle

Nine-year professional Mike Kyle (17-7-1) earns a tough 2 nd round (3:28) submission victory over former heavyweight Abongo Humphrey (7-2) to catapult his name among the top Strikeforce contenders in the light-heavyweight division at last night’s Challengers 9 event on Showtime.

Kyle used his reach early on in the this main card bout, however it was Humphrey who looked to be the aggressor as he earned a takedown and worked his ground and pound throughout much of the 1 st round. Kyle fought back in the 2 nd round landing knees and converting on a double-leg takedown to gain an advantageous position. From the top, “MAK” transitioned to take Humphrey’s back, loosened him up with strikes to the side of the head, and finished him with a rear naked choke submission.

The win is Kyle’s third straight, however just his second on a Strikeforce promoted event, now 2-2-1 with the organization. He now moves into a comfortable position with Strikeforce, even making a claim for a title shot. Humphrey has lost two of his last three fights, all coming on Strikeforce cards. His recent slide has come after winning his first six official bouts without losing.

Bobby Voelker vs. Cory Devela

Kansas City, Kansas-native “Vicious” Bobby Voelker (22-8) picked up a close split decision victory at Strikeforce Challengers 9 by defeating Washington’s own Cory “The One” Devela (9-4) in a main card welterweight bout.

All three rounds were almost identical, as both fighters initiated the clinch position, and from there, tried to work either their dirty boxing or inside knees. Devela secured a takedown late in the 1 st round to earn the advantage after five minutes. However, it was Voelker who spent most of the middle frame on top position, working his ground and pound game. The 3 rd and final round played out to be the determining factor, although neither fighter really stood out as the clear-cut favorite. Again, Voelker spent much of the round on top, and even though he didn’t attempt much on offense, did enough to win the judge’s favor.

With the victory, Bobby Voelker has now won two of his last three bouts, all on Challengers cards. While he escaped with the tight decision victory, Cory Devela leaves with his third straight Strikeforce loss; he is 1-3 under the Strikeforce banner.

Sarah Kaufman vs. Roxanne Modafferi

After completing most of the first three rounds, it looked as if current women’s 135-lb. champion, Sarah Kaufman (12-0) would be in for a tough test. However, at the end of the 3 rd round, Kaufman had enough and slammed the American-born and Japanese-trained Roxanne Modafferi (15-6) to the ground and knocking her out in the process for a 3 rd round (4:45) TKO victory.

Modafferi proved to be a game opponent throughout the 1 st round, working consistently from the clinch position before converting on her only takedown attempt of the round. Kaufman moved slightly ahead in the 2 nd round courtesy of her striking. She found a home on Modafferi’s face plenty of times throughout the round, forcing her to try and take the action to the ground. The 3 rd round began much like the 1 st, as Modafferi secured another takedown and worked from her open guard. The action took a devastating turn late in the round when Kaufman picked up Modafferi, while she was still attempting an armbar, and slammed her to the canvas knocking her out in the process.

The finish proved Kaufman’s point that she wants to be on a main Strikeforce card and off of the Challengers series, which she has been on in her last four bouts. With an exciting title defense like that, it’s hard to argue with her. Modafferi, who came into this title bout off of a victory over Tara LaRosa, suffers her first loss in since her Strikeforce debut last November; she is now 0-2 in Strikeforce action.

Lolohea Mahe vs. Shane del Rosario

Undefeated Shane del Rosario (10-0) has immediately put his name among the top contenders in the deep Strikeforce heavyweight division with his 1 st round TKO (3:48) victory over Hawaiian Lolohea Mahe in the main event at Strikeforce Challengers 9.

The action started out a little slow, as both fighters showed respect for their opponent early on. After a referee separation, del Rosario landed a low blow, which after a video replay was debatable, causing a temporary halt to the action. After the restart, it was all del Rosario landing a nice left hook that worked to rock his opponent. It wasn’t much later that del Rosario found a home for his knees, which landed in the midsection of Mahe and crumbled him to the ground. The referee immediately stepped in and called a stoppage to the action.

The victory catapults del Rosario up the 265-lb. ladder into a match-up with one of the several top Strikeforce heavyweights. This, his tenth straight victory, was his eighth T/KO victory of his young career and second with the Strikeforce organization. Mahe will now have to try and get back on track after suffering his second consecutive loss, he is 0-2 with Strikeforce.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

Fight Card & Results for ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers July 23 Fights:

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Showtime Televised Strikeforce Challengers Washington Fight Card Results:

• Shane Del Rosario defeats Lolohea Mahe by TKO (Strikes) - Round 1 @ 3:48

• Sarah Kaufman (c) defeats Roxanne Modafferi by KO (Slam) - Round 3 @ 4:45 - Kaufman retains the Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Championship belt

• Bobby Voelker defeats Cory Devela by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

• Mike Kyle defeats Abongo Humphrey via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 2 @ 3:28

• Caros Fodor defeats Thomas Diagne by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary Strikeforce Challengers 9 Fight Card Results:

• Brent Knopp defeats Ryan Hayes by TKO (Punches)

• C.J. Marsh defeats Taurean Washington by Unanimous Decision

• Chris Inman defeats Quincy Spruill via Submission (Kimura)

• Scott McDonald defeats Doug Kay via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

• Drew Brokenshire defeats Jordan Macklin via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

• Jamen Olney defeats Jordan Currie by Unanimous Decision

• John Elam defeats Frankie Orr by Split Decision