By FCF Staff Pictures courtesy Paul Breski for Strikeforce
Strikeforce returns to Fresno, California this Friday night for the promotion’s latest Challengers event. The card will be headlined by a welterweight bout between Roger Bowling (8-0) and “Vicious” Bobby Voelker (22-8) and will be broadcast on Showtime. The event will be hosted by Fresno’s Save Mart Center.
In anticipation of the event, Strikeforce held an open workout at Fort Washington Fitness, Fresno, California earlier this week with several of the card’s competitors, including Lavar Johnson, Billy Evangelista (pictured above), Brandon Cash and Shana Olsen. Here is some of the fighters had to say about their bouts Friday night
“I feel good and I am very happy to be on a Strikeforce card that has so many of my (Fresno Pro Buhawe) teammates on it. I’m excited for everybody.”
“I know Zwicker will be ready. He’s a fast, scrappy fighter who comes to fight. He may be a little shorter than me, which will definitely be a little different. The last two guys I’ve fought have been taller.”
Evangelista (10-0, 1 NC) discussing his 165lb. catch-weight tilt with Waachiim “Native Warrior’’ Spiritwolf (8-6-1):
“I’ve been working really hard. I want to keep this winning streak going. I’ve prepared like I always do. I don’t watch tapes. My job is to do the best I can and not worry about my opponent.”
“Winning is always the main goal, but I really would like to submit this guy – just so I could get a submission on my record.’’
Olsen (4-0) in regards to her bout with 145lb. Canadian Muay Thai Champion Julia “The Jewel” Budd:
“I’m really excited about fighting for Strikeforce the first time and fighting on Showtime. I consider myself a well-rounded fighter and look forward to displaying my skills.”
“I never look past any opponent and this will be a tough fight. But, of course, I will fight anybody, and that includes (Strikeforce 145-pound World Champion and No. 1 Female Fighter in the world, Cris) Cyborg. My goal is to become the world champion. It doesn’t matter to me who I fight to get the title.’’
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| Olsen hitting the bag |
“It’s always great when Strikeforce comes to Fresno because they use a lot of local fighters like me. I don’t like losing and I lost the last time I fought in Fresno so I appreciate Strikeforce giving me another chance.”
