MMA You Want To Watch This Week 7/19 - 7/25

by Jackie Maden on Jul 19, 2010 11:21 AM EDT in MMA You Want to Watch This Week

Well, it's Monday again. And I know you all need something to look forward to, something that makes Monday seem just a little less bleak and the week seem a little less empty. So gather 'round, and I shall regale you with tales of televised MMA that will warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye. Or something like that.

Strikeforce is our MMA savior this time around, with the only event this week coming in the form of their Challengers series. So, without further ado:

Strikeforce Challengers IX

Everett, WA

Friday, July 23, 11pm, Showtime

You know, I'm excited to see this card because Sarah Kaufman is defending her belt against Roxanne Modafferi, who is one of the coolest people on the planet. But I'm a little confused as to why a title defense is on a Challengers card. And it isn't even the main event. Seems kind of insulting to the girls, especially to Kaufman, if you ask me. But, I digress.

The premise of the Challengers series, as you probably know, is for Strikeforce to showcase their up and coming fighters (which apparently includes champ Kaufman...). So the guys fighting Friday night generally aren't the most experienced or the most well known, though a few names do stand out.

First of all, Mike Kyle (16-7) is fighting Abongo Humphrey (7-1). Kyle just won the KOTC light heavyweight belt from Tony Lopez back in May, and is probably going to spend this fight having his way with Humphrey. We'll see.

In the main event, Shane Del Rosario (9-0) is going up against Lolohea Mahe (4-1). Rosario may be undefeated, but it could be argued that he hasn't been fighting worty opponents. He also hasn't fought since November of last year. On the other hand, Mahe fought back in March against Lavar Johnson. Mahe lost that fight, but has at least fought this year.

Now, the fight I'm most excited to see. Sarah Kaufman (11-0) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (15-5). This is Kaufman's first defense of her belt since winning it from Takayo Hashi in February. Modafferi, meanwhile, is coming off a win against Tara LaRosa at the Moosin event in May. I'm not going to talk too much about these women here, because I have something special planned for this week for those of you who aren't as familiar with them as you might like. But this should be an awesome fight, and personally I can't wait!

For those of you who don't get Showtime, there is still some MMA and K-1 action happening Friday night on HDNet. Straight from HDNetfights.com:

Premiere Fri. Jul. 23	8:00 PM ET	HDNet Fights Vault 2009 World Grand Prix Final Highlights Crushing kicks and punishing punches highlight a night full of knockout finishes at K-1's 2009 World Grand Prix Final. Kickboxing Superstars Badr Hari, Alistair Overeem, and Semmy Schilt dominate the action.
Premiere Fri. Jul. 23	8:30 PM ET	Fighting Words with Mike Straka Frankie Edgar Mike Straka visits the home of UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar. Edgar discusses his sudden rise to fame as well as his upcoming rematch against BJ Penn.
Premiere Fri. Jul. 23	10:00 PM ET	HDNet Fights Presents K-1 World MAX 2010 -70kg World Championship Tournament Final 16 / 63kg Japan Tournament Final Former champion Albert Kraus, Yuji Yamamoto, and Andre Dida look to advance in the K-1 World MAX 70kg tournament. Plus the K-1 World MAX 63kg Japan Tournament concludes in a one-night 8-man tournament.

And, of course, we can't forget Bas!!

Fri., Jul. 23rd

9:00 PM ET

Jamie Varner, Shane del Rosario and Guy Mezger join Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten for the latest in MMA news and analysis. Ron Kruck reports on an MMA program for troubled youth.

Ok, that's it for this week. July has been a quiet MMA month, but things should start to pick up in the next couple of weeks. Be patient! :)

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Most looking forward to Kaufman vs. Modafferi

Gals Guide to MMA

by Donna on Jul 19, 2010 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

fucking strikefarce

Its bad enough they can’t promote a single damned womens bout besides their champs…champ. then they put the 135 TITLE with kaufman v. Modaferri. Yah kaufman v. Mutha fuckin modaferri. That’s an AMAZING fight. They put it on a challengers event? Wait..and not the headliner? Jebus! You think it can’t get worse when they promote modaferri in a fight above her weight class that was never aired…then drop her to another promotion to fight to hype? This fight…. aaaarrrrgh! Hulk angry…

But I digress. Amazing fight. Stoked.

Kyle v. Humphreys will be fun.someone is going to sleep. Humphreys is actually scary strong and powerful at 205. Is he a great fighter? No. But neither is kyle really. I still thik feijao wins kyle 9/10 times. But someone is getting ktfo.

Del rosario v. Big ass hawaiian who I can never spell for some reason. Icall him “maaaaah” like monster. Dude is gigantic, and never diets to get close enough to 265 to make sure the cut doesn’t ruin his life. Bummerage. Del rosario isn’t a huge heavyweight. 240? I think he has amazing potential, and hopefully the ring rust doesn’t ruin hislife. He was supposed to crush bobby lashley, but the lashley campis afraid of del rosario and rightfully so. I’m crossing my fingers this is his last fight on contract and we can see him enter the ufc’s stable. With 3 fights a year, he could be a contender in 2012

Even a broken clock is right two times a day.

by Chris Toffer on Jul 21, 2010 1:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions