A Distinct West Coast Flavor for Strikeforce “Lite”
Published by Jim Genia on May 15th, 2009 in Current Events

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Tonight marks Strikeforce’s first “Strikeforce Challengers” event – the “lite” version of their promotion featuring up-and-comers not quite ready for prime time – and the card, which features the likes of undefeated Fresno native Billy Evangelista, Washington state femme fatale Miesha Tate, Madera heavyweight Lavar Johnson and Irvine featherweight Bao Quach, has a distinct West Coast flavor. But fight fans elsewhere in the country should tune in to live broadcast on Showtime regardless. From the looks of it, there’s going to be some big leather flying.

At the top of the card is Evangelista versus Hawaiian warrior Mike Aina. Hailing from American Kickboxing Academy and responsible for edging out tough guys like Luke Caudillo and Nam Phan (and for putting TUF castoff Marlon Sims away with a third-round knuckle sandwich), Evangelista’s record is unblemished, whereas jiu-jitsu black belt and BJ Penn protégé Aina was robbed via split decision in his EliteXC bout against Nick Diaz (a bout where he dropped Diaz with punches). Both men are capable of going the distance – but more importantly, they’re also capable of throwing down. As he’s consistently faced and defeated tougher competition, expect Evangelista to maintain his pristine win/loss ratio.

Victory Athletics grappling specialist Tate was originally slated to face Kim Couture in the co-main event, but “personal reasons” (i.e., an impending divorce) soon had Couture out and British Columbia kickboxing specialist Sarah Kaufman in. In terms of competition level, that’s like going from amateur MMA newbie to Mirko CroCop, so Tate will have her hands full. Expect Kaufman to batter her way to a win via TKO.

When your nickname is “Big” and ten of your 11 wins have come courtesy of your fists, it’s highly unlikely your ShoMMA bout against brawler Carl Seumanutafa is going to end with an omoplata or flying armbar. Such is the case with Johnson, who, at 246 pounds (Seumanutafa is 250), is tasked with providing the heavyweight fireworks for the evening. Count on Johnson knocking his less-experienced opponent silly.

Quach has been a fixture in West Coast MMA since 2001 and has amassed a sizeable but spotty record. However, his losses were to top-tier guys like Rumino Sato, Wagnney Fabiano and LC Davis – a caliber of foe his Strikeforce Challengers opponent Tito Jones is far from. Though both men are well-rounded, the King of the Cage, Shooto and Affliction veteran is simply better all around. This bout is Quach’s by any way he wants it.

Rounding out the televised card is light-heavyweight Texan Aaron Rosa versus California-based kickboxer Anthony Ruiz, two B-level fighters angling for a win to push them up the ranks. Ruiz has fought more and faced tougher competition, but really, this one is a toss up that could go either way.

A glance at the card and one might wonder why such regional West Coast fare is airing on Showtime. But Strikeforce Lite could conceivably showcase the next big star – remember Eddie Alvarez taking out Ross Ebanez on a ShoXC Elite Challenger event? For that, and the leather that will likely be thrown about, it should be worth watching.