In the main event of the Strikeforce Challengers 9 fight card, mixed martial arts fighters Shane del Rosario and Lolohea Mahe will face each other at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Wash., July 23 for an opportunity to move up on the Strikeforce light-heavyweight contender list .
As former U.S. WBC Heavyweight Muay Thai Champion, Del Rosario brings impressive credentials to the cage which are compounded by his spotless pro MMA record of 9-0. His MMA experience includes bouts on Elite XC and M-1 cards but lacks any high-caliber opponents that could automatically boost him into contender status. Nevertheless, another win on a Strikeforce card will no doubt get him one step closer to a title shot.
His opponent, Mahe, is UFC fighter Kendall Grove's protege and well known for his powerful right and incredible heart. With a fight record of 4-1-1 he brings less experience to the cage than Del Rosario. Mahe has also shown a lack of conditioning which might have resulted from his trouble with making weight. To make matters worse for him, he is coming off a loss against Lavar Johnson at Strikeforce Challengers 7 last March which will inevitably have a negative impact on his momentum and self-confidence on Friday.
Based on the fact that Del Rosario is a quick finisher (eight wins in the very first round!) with incredible stand-up and solid ground skills, this bout will most likely not last long. If Mahe manages to draw it out past round two it will be a true test of stamina for both fighters, but even more so for Del Rosario, who has never gone the distance before. Mahe's only chance against Del Rosario is to land a lucky shot with his notorious right hand. Otherwise Del Rosario will not waste any time to put Mahe through an express Muay Thai clinic that will end with Mahe unconscious on the ground.
Predicted winner: Del Rosario via KO in round one.
The main card will air live on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets for the event are available online.The official weigh-in will take place July 22 at 7 p.m. at The Ice Box at Comcast Center in Everett, Wash.
Complete Strikeforce Challengers 9 fight card:
Main Card:
Shane del Rosario vs. Lolohea Mahe
Sarah Kaufman (c) vs. Roxanne Modafferi - WOMEN'S WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Cory Devela vs. Bobby Voelker
Mike Kyle vs. Abongo Humphrey
Caros Fodor vs. Thomas Diagne
Undercard:
Brent "Mankill" Knopp vs. Ryan Hayes
Taurean "Black" Washington vs. CJ Marsh
Chris Inmann vs. Joe Hernandez
Scott McDonald vs. Doug Kay
Drew "The Eternal Fire" Brokenshire vs. Mike Minniger
James "Chainsaw" Olney vs. Levi Alford
Frankie Orr vs. John Elam
Wendel Horton vs. Keith Mortuiccio
Del Rosario vs. Mahe HD Promo - Strikeforce Challengers on Super Channel Fights
| Strikeforce Challengers: Rosario vs. Mahe |
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| Examiner | Key Fight | For More... |
 Astrid Bidanec National MMA |
del Rosario d. Mahe Round 1 KO |
Strikeforce Challengers 9: Shane del Rosario vs. Lolohea Mahe preview, prediction (video) |
 James Lawrence Las Vegas MMA |
del Rosario d. Mahe KO |
Strikeforce Challengers 9 Predicitions |
 Jared Bellow Detroit MMA |
del Rosario d. Mahe Round 2 TKO |
Shane Del Rosario and Sarah Kaufman look to keep undefeated streaks alive |
 Trisha Barr Columbus MMA |
Kaufman d. Modafferi TKO |
Kaufman's edge over Modafferi: Strikeforce Challengers predictions |
 Christopher Parker Buffalo MMA |
no pick | MMA is back - Strikeforce Challengers on Friday |
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