EVERETT, Wash. — The fighters who will compete in “Strikeforce Challengers 9” on Friday, July 23, weighed in Thursday at the Ice Box at Comcast Arena in Everett, Wash.

The “real” main event on this card is the Strikeforce 135 lb. women’s title fight between Roxanne Modafferi (15-5) and Sarah Kaufman (11-0). Modafferi weighed in at 133. 4 lbs. and Kaufman tipped the scales at 134 lbs., just one pound under the title fight limit.

The actual main event, however, is between undefeated Shane Del Rosario (9-0) and Hawaii’s Lolohea Mahe (6-1-1) in a heavyweight showdown. Del Rosario weighed in at 243.6 lbs. and Mahe weighed in at 264 lbs., which is just two pounds under the heavyweight non-title fight limit.

“Strikeforce Challengers 9” will air live on Showtime Friday night beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/10:00 p.m. CT. ProMMAnow.com will provide live results and play-by-play commentary during the broadcast.

“Strikeforce Challengers 9” weigh-in results:

  • Shane Del Rosario (243.6) vs. Lolohea Mahe (264)
  • Sarah Kaufman (134) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (133.4)
  • Cory Devela (171) vs. Bobby Voelker (170.4)
  • Abongo Humphrey (202.6) vs. Mike Kyle (205.8)
  • Caros Fodor (155.6) vs. Thomas Diagne (156)

**CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE**   [All photos by Esther Lin/Strikeforce]


QUOTES:

SHANE DEL ROSARIO:

“Training went well.  I’ve been off for a while trying to make fights, but things kept falling through.  It’s good to be back in here.

“He’s got a big hand and a tough chin. It’s going to be a hard fight, that’s for sure. I’m going to keep my hands up and do my thing.

“The plan is to move up to the big show.  It’s cool that all my hard work is finally paying off. I just have to fight a smart fight tomorrow and hopefully move up to the big show with a win.”

LOLOHEA MAHE:

“Camp went well.  I feel very prepared. I spent three weeks training in California, really just working on my cardio.

“As for the outcome, I know I’m prepared for whatever and I can go the distance, but you can expect me to finish it fast.”

SARAH KAUFMAN:

“Training couldn’t have gone any better. I had partners in my camp that were all preparing for fights, so it made it more fun and challenging.

“I’m expecting Roxy to bring a fight.  I don’t think she’s going to back down, but I do think she’ll try to take it to the ground.

“I’m happy fighting anywhere that I can let my hands go. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the ground or standing.”

“I’m looking to knock her out.  You always want to finish it.”

ROXANNE MODAFFERI:

“Sarah is a powerful fighter.  I’m looking forward to the challenge of facing her.”

CORY DEVELA:

“I felt the pressure of fighting in front of my hometown last time I fought, so I let it go this time – no pressure.

“I haven’t fought in a while, but these guys won’t let me have any rust. They’ve been pushing me too hard for there to be any rust.

“I expect him to bleed.  I will finish him – bleed and tap.”

BOBBY VOELKER:

“I weathered the storm my last couple of fights.  Tomorrow night I’m bringing the storm.”

ABONGO HUMPHREY:

“Camp went extremely well.  I was 205 pounds a month-and-a-half ago and I was able to control my diet and keep it there.

“At this weight, I have a lot of strength, movement and explosion.

“I know I need to set an example in this fight.  This guy has a special story and he deserves special recognition.  I owe him that.”

MIKE KYLE:

“You can expect a second a round knockout from me.”

CAROS FODOR:

“I’m excited to fight in front of my hometown fans and on SHOWTIME. Fighting on TV is a huge step for me.  This is what I train for.

“I’m ready for everything in there.  We had a great camp – I’m just ready for that bell to ring.”

THOMAS DIAGNE:

“I think he may try to take me down or box me, because he has strong hands, but I’m ready for everything.

“I’m not worried about the hometown crowd cheering him on. I’ll have my coaches behind me so that should be enough.

“Everything went well in training. I had a good camp and didn’t have any trouble making weight.”

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