Strikeforce – Challengers 16
June 24, 2011
ShoWare Center,
Kent, Washington, United States
Lightweight (155 lbs)
Caros Fodor (6 – 0 – 0) defeated James Terry (10 – 3 – 0) by unanimous decision. Fodor, who has won 4 of his 6 victories by stoppage, flies 91 spots up the ranks from [#195] to [#104]. Fodor should look to test himself against someone like [#79] Conor Heun next (if he isn’t off for a long time due to the arm injury he incurred in his last bout). If he can defeat him, he will be ready for the next level. Terry, who was on a 3 fight winning streak prior to this loss, moves from [#159WW] into the lightweight “Top 500” at [#220]. He could face [#362] Matt Ricehouse for his next bout.
Lightweight (155 lbs)
Matt Ricehouse (5 – 0 – 0) defeated Ryan Couture (2 – 1 – 0) by unanimous decision. Ricehouse, who won his first 3 victories by stoppage, enters the lightweight “Top 500” at [#362]. Ricehouse may be ready for a stern test in [#220] James Terry in his next bout. Couture, who has fought all 3 of his pro bouts inside Strikeforce, remains unranked. Couture should look to test himself against someone of comparable fight experience like [#479] Anthony Avila in his next fight.
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Lorenz Larkin (11 – 0 – 0) defeated Gian Villante (7 – 3 – 0) by unanimous decision. Larkin, who has won 8 of his 11 victories by (T)KO (6 in the 1st round), moves 10 spots up the ranks from [#87] to [#77]. Larkin looks like he might be ready for the next level of competition, and could fight veterans [#25] Trevor Prangley or [#18] Renato Sobral to determine where he goes next. Villante, who is 1-3 in his last 4, moves from [#171HW] into the light heavyweight “Top 250” at [#183]. Villante needs to get back on the winning track, and should look to do so against [#153] Ron Humphrey next.
Welterweight (170 lbs)
Jason High (14 – 3 – 0) defeated Quinn Mulhern (15 – 2 – 0) by unanimous decision. High, who is on a 5 fight win streak, moves 16 spots up the ranks from [#47] to [#31]. High is on a roll, and could possibly be in line for number 1 contendership if he were to next defeat another surging prospect in [#45] Eduardo Pamplona. Mulhern, who was on a 7 fight win streak (6 by stoppage-4 by rear naked choke submission), drops 29 spots from [#56] to [#85]. Villante needs to get back on the winning track, and should look to do so against [#153] Ron Humphrey next.
Women’s Featherweight (145 lbs)
Julia Budd (2 – 1 – 0) defeated Germaine de Randamie (2 – 2 – 0) by unanimous decision. Budd moves 5 spots up the ranks from [#14] to [#9]. De Randamie remains unranked.
Preliminary Bouts
Middleweight (185 lbs)
Derek Brunson (6 – 0 – 0) defeated Jeremy Hamilton (9 – 1 – 0) by unanimous decision. Brunson, who has won 6 of his 7 victories by stoppage (all under 2:30 of round 1), jumps 29 spots up the ranks from [#142] to [#113]. He could face [#38] Melvin Manhoef in a bout that if Brunson won, he would be more recognized by the fans. Previously ranked [#274] Hamilton, who had won all but one of his vcictories by stoppage, falls off the rankings. Hamilton could face [#308] Nah Shon Burrell next.
Welterweight (170 lbs)
Eduardo Pamplona (15 – 2 – 0) defeated Jerron Peoples (3 – 1 – 0) by TKO due to punches at 2:40 of round 1. Pamplona, who is on a 10 fight win streak, moves from [#50MW] into the welterweight “Top 500” at [#45]. It would be interesting to see [#31] Jason High Pamplona next. Peoples remains unranked.
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Trevor Smith (8 – 1 – 0) defeated Keith Berry (10 – 7 – 0) by technical submission due to a rear naked choke at 3:02 of round 2. Smith, who is on a 4 fight win streak (all by submission), moves 8 spots up the ranks from [#101] to [#93]. Smith could fight a veteran like [#97] Benji Radach in his next bout to see if he is ready for the next level or if he still needs more work. Berry, who has suffered back to back losses (prior to which he was on a 4 fight win streak – all under 1:00), remains unranked.