STRIKEFORCE Challengers
NEW YORK (Jan 21, 2009)—World championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE will return to its roots when it brings its Challengers fight series to The Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California on Friday, February 26. Topping the card will be a middleweight (185 pounds) contest between wrestling powerhouse Trevor Prangley (22-5) and Karl Amoussou (11-2-1).
Undefeated power puncher Sarah Kaufman (10-0) will challenge Japan’s Takayo Hashi (12-1) in the first STRIKEFORCE women’s world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship matchup in history while Luke Rockhold (6-1), one of MMA’s brightest up and comers, will take on Paul Bradley (12-1) at middleweight.Tickets for the first STRIKEFORCE Challengers event of 2010, priced from $30, go on sale at 10 a.m. PT tomorrow/Friday, January 22 at The San Jose Civic Auditorium box office, Ticketmaster (800-745-3000) and online at Ticketmaster.com and STRIKEFORCE.com.
Since 1993 when STRIKEFORCE was founded as a kickboxing series, The San Jose Civic Auditorium has played host to numerous events produced by the organization that more recently emerged a leading promoter of MMA contests.Prangley, a former national wrestling champion for South Africa who ventured to The United States years ago in order to further his wrestling career, will put on the line a five fight win streak that began with his unanimous judges’ decision victory over Anthony Ruiz during STRIKEFORCE’s event at the world famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California on September 20, 2008. The 37-year-old also finished as runner up in STRIKEFORCE’s four man tournament, the first sanctioned single elimination MMA event in California state history, on November 16, 2007.
The 24-year-old Amoussou, known for his devastating knockout power and unorthodox fighting style, hails from France and is an expert in Judo as well as Savate. He brings a three fight win streak with him to the STRIKEFORCE cage.Kaufman is a 24-year-old former professional ballet dancer who stumbled upon MMA after a martial arts school opened underneath her dance studio in Victoria, Canada. Her mellow demeanor outside the cage is a stark contrast to her ferocity inside it, which has helped her knock out 8 of her 10 opponents.
In her last effort, Kaufman earned a unanimous judges’ decision over Shayna “The Queen of Spades” Baszler during the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at Kent Washington’s ShoWare Center on June 19, 2009.
The 32 year old Hashi of Honbu, Tokyo is a former champion of Japan’s Smackgirl MMA promotion. Prangley vs. Amoussou tops STRIKEFORCE Challengers card in San Jose, Calif. Feb. 26
Since suffering the only defeat of her career to Hitomi Akano on August 17, 2005, Hashi has reeled off eight straight victories, including a revenge win over Akano on September 6, 2007.
In other action, James Terry (7-1) of San Jose will square off with Tarec Saffiedine (7-2) of Temecula, California in a welterweight (170 pounds) bout while Raul Castillo (6-0) of Half Moon Bay, California will face fellow unbeaten middleweight Yancy Medeiros (4-0) of Waianae, Hawaii.
San Jose Civic Auditorium doors will open for the STRIKEFORCE event at 5:15 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the first main card bout will begin at 8.00 p.m.
21 January 2010
Also in the news
- 30 January 2012
KRUSH 16 Features 2 ISKA World title fights
KRUSH 16 will feature as co-main events two ISKA World title fights on the 17th February at Korakeun Hall, Tokyo, Japan. K-1 MAX Champions Yoshihiro Sato and Yuta Kubo will challenge for ISKA World Championship belts, the title matches will be broadcast in Japan by Gaora Sports TV. Read more
- 26 January 2012
ISKA UK Support the Re-Launch of the MAI National Circuit
MAI (Martial Arts Illustrated) the UK’s leading Martial Arts Magazine will re-launch the MAI National Circuit, a series of open freestyle tournaments in 2012. The ISKA UK Amateur division has pledged their full support for the new MAI National Circuit and will supply referees, Officials and ISKA promoters will help with staging events. Read more
- 20 January 2012
Changes to ISKA weight divisions
ISKA have made changes to three weight division, the Super-cruiser-weight division will change from 91.8kg to 94.1kg, the Heavyweight division limit will change form 96.4kg to 101.4kg and Super-heavyweight will change to + 101.5kg. The new weight divisions already established in the USA will come in to effect in Europe on the 5th February 2012 Read more
- More ISKA news
