EVERETT, Wash. — “Strikeforce Challengers 9“ takes place tonight, Friday, July 23, at Comcast Arena in Everett, Wash. The event will air live on Showtime 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.

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). 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.

“Strikeforce Challengers 9″ quick results:

MAIN CARD (Televised)

  • Shane Del Rosario def. Lolohea Mahe by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (3:48)
  • (WW Title Fight) Sarah Kaufman def. Roxanne Modafferi by knockout (slam) Rd 3 (4:45)
  • Bobby Voelker def. Cory Devela by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Mike Kyle def. Abongo Humphrey by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (3:28)
  • Caros Fodor def. Thomas Diagne by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Not Televised)

  • Brent Knopp def. Ryan Hayes by TKO (strikes) Rd 2
  • C.J. Marsh def. Taurean Washington by unanimous decision
  • Chris Inman def. Joe Hernandez by submission (kimura) Rd 1 (3:54)
  • Scott McDonald def. Doug Kay by submission (rear naked choke) Rd 1 (2:09)
  • Drew Brokenshire def. Jordan Macklin by submission (guillotine choke) Rd 1 (2:26)
  • John Elam def. Frankie Orr by split decision
  • Wendel Horton def. Keith Mortuiccio by TKO (strtikes) R1

“Strikeforce Challengers 9″ play-by-play:

Caros Fodor vs. Thomas Diagne

Round 1 – Diagne using a jab, Fodor pushing the fight, and drops Diagne with a left hook early. Diagne gets up but gets dropped again with a short left hook. Diagne is right back up again and Fodor pushes him against the cage. It’s a clinch game now, with Fodor putting knees into Diagne’s thighs and using rabbit punches. Diagne also throwing knees from the clinch. Diagne tries to explode and get free but Fodor regains the clinch. 2:20 left in the round. Diagne breaks free, gets some distance and throws a kick but Fodor closes the distance and clinches again. They battle for a takedown, but no one gets it. Diagne lands a nice side kick to the mid-section, but Fodor closes the distance again and clinches.Fodor drops a level, tries to get a double leg takedown but Diagne defends well. Round ends in the clinch game. Have to give Fodor the round 10-9.

Round 2 – Diagne lands a couple of punches, then Fodor clinches. Diagne gets some distance momentarily, throws a kick, but Fodor regains the clinch. Fodor delivering knees to the thighs and body from the clinch, also using short rabbit punches. They battle for position, Diagne lands some knees too. Diagne gets some distance throws some kicks and punches but Fodor reestablishes the clinch. Fodor picks Diagne up and slams him down to the mat. Diagne turtles up. Fodor lands some hammerfists, pushes Diagne to his back, he gets up but then gets put back down. Fodor goes for a kimura. Diagne rolls and escapes. Diagne gets to his feet and Fodor follows, closing it out with the clinch. Fodor gets the round 10-9.

Round 3 – Nice right hand for Diagne. Fodor clinches. Diagne gets free throws a spinning hook kick that misses, then a crescent kick that scores. He throws a round kick but Fodor gets the clinch momentarily. Diagne gets free, lands a body kick. Fodor gets the clinch, gets the takedown and lands in half guard. Fodor looking for a kimura. He moves to side control, waits, cranks it hard. Steps over Diagne’s head with one leg. It’s tight and deep. Fodor doesn’t trap him tight enough, and finally lets it go. It looked close. Props to Diagne for surviving that but Fodor still putting on the pressure. Diagne just surviving. Diagne turtles up. Fodor has side control and is pounding with hammerfists with 45 seconds left in the fight. Fodor pounding from side control as Diagne is on his back. Diagne turtles as the round ends. Fodor gets the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 as I see it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Caros Fodor def. Thomas Diagne by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Abongo Humphrey vs. Mike Kyle

Round 1 – Kyle with a left jab then lands a right. Leg kick from Humphrey. Right hand from Kyle, then another one, then an uppercut lands. Humphrey scores with a leg kick, then another one. Humphrey shoots, clinches. They exchange knees from the clinch against the cage. Humphrey gets some distance, lands some punches then gets the takedown. Humphrey in half guard. Kyle with wrist control, has his back to the fence. Kyle gets full guard, Humphrey postures up throws a big punch. Humphrey attempts an anaconda, but Kyle escapes, turtles. Humphrey goes for another choke. Kyle is out and up. Kyle with a flying knee that connects but Humphrey seems okay. Kyle with another flying knee. Humphrey gets the takedown. Kyle reverses, ends up in Kyles guard, then mounts. Humphrey reverses, explodes out. Humphrey attempting an arm in guillotine as the bell sounds. Great fight. I give Humphrey the round 10-9.

Round 2 – Humphrey comes in swinging. Kyle with a front kick. Humphrey with a  leg kick, then a big left hook that scores. Kyle lands a nice combo. Humphrey bull ruses and pushes Kyle against the cage. Kyle reverses, lands some knees. Kyle gets the takedown. Humphrey locks on a heel hook. Kyle spins and escapes and Humphrey on top in the closed guard of Kyle. Humphrey postures up with some punches but Kyle ties him up. Ref stands them up. They exchange punches and Kyle gets the takedown. Kyle gets full mount. Humphrey rolls, but ends up giving up his back. Kyle with big punches from back mount. Kyle locks in a quick rear naked wind choke and Humphrey IMMEDIATELY taps out. This was a beautiful fight. Kyle’s fifth win in a row. Kyle may get the next Strikeforce light heavyweight title shot.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Mike Kyle def. Abongo Humphrey by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (3:28)

Cory Devela vs. Bobby Voelker

Round 1 – They clinch. Devela pushing Voelker into the cage. Devela with double underhooks gets a trip takedown and gets full mount. Voelker bucking and trying to get out. Devela landing punches from the mount, possibly looking to set up an armbar. Voelker explodes and gets to his feet. Devela still clinched, pushing him into the cage. Voelker with a knee to the body. Devela grabs a Thai clinch and throws a big knee, then gets quick takedown. Devela in half guard. Devela controlling from the top and landing occasional shots. Devela locks on a guillotine but Voelker escapes and now has top position in Voelker’s guard. Devela hangs on, Voelker breaks out and throws some shots as the bell sounds. Devela gets the round 10-9.

Round 2 – Devela attempts a judo throw but misses it. They clinch and Devela pushes Voelker into the cage, he then gets the takedown, lands in half guard. Voelker sweeps and ends up on top in full guard. Devela looks for an armbar, but Voelker escapes it. Voelker attacking with hammerfists and punches, still in full guard. Voelker staying busy but Devela not taking much damage at all and is defending very well. Devela with butterfly guard, he attempts an escape but no dice. Devela goes for a knee bar but Voelker escapes. Devela gets to his feet, his mouth piece fell out, he picks it up, but continues to fight, lands a nice combo of punches as the bell sounds. Voelker probably got the round 10-9. Miletich and The Professor disagree, but I’m thinking of what the judges probably scored it.

Round 3 – Clinch game immediately. Devela pushing Voelker into the fence. They separate, Devela shoots, Voelker stuffs it and lands a big knee. Devela shoots again and Voelker stuffs it again. Voelker defending as Devela pushes him into the cage from the clinch. Nice left hand from Voelker. Devela hanging on to Voelker, drops for a single leg, can’t get it. Voelker lands an uppercut and a nice punch. Devela fires back and lands some nice punches of his own. They clinch, Voelker shoots and gets his own takedown. Devela attempts a guillotine but Voelker is free and ends up in guard. Devela tries to escape but Voelker retains positin in guard. Finally, Devela gets to his feet. Devela lands a huge uppercut. Voelker lands a small uppercut of his own. Devela swings with big punches trying to finish it with ten seconds to go. He connects but Voelker stands firm, that’s it. Good fight. I have Devela stealing that last round 10-9 and wins the fight 29-28.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Bobby Voelker def. Cory Devela by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

(WW Title Fight) Sarah Kaufman vs. Roxanne Modafferi

Round 1 – Roxanne shoots out like a cannonball. The Professor said it looked like a three stooges kick. They clinch up. Modafferi gets the trip takedown. Kaufman has her back to the cage. Modafferi doing a good job of controlling her and puts her back on the mat, inside Kaufman’s guard. Modafferi reminds me of a female Aoki in a way. The ref stands them up pretty quick. Kaufman lands a couple of punches. Kaufman lands a couple of jabs. Modafferi throws a spinning kick that misses. Kaufman pushes her into the cage. Modafferi looking for a hip toss but Kaufman defends well. It’s a Greco match right now. Close round, no damage done. I guess I’ll give it to Modafferi for the takedown.

Round 2 – Kaufman lands a few nice punches, another combo, Modafferi shoots, gets stuffed. It turns into a clinch game at this point. Modafferi trying for the trip, can’t get it. Kaufman throws a combination of elbows and punches that land. Modafferi jumps guard but Kaufman forces her to let it go. Modafferi tries to get the takedown but can not get it. Kaufman lands some knees from the clinch to the body. Both girls looking to work from the Thai clinch. Modafferi trying to get the takedown, hits the ground but bounces right up. It’s back to the clinch game. Kaufman lands a couple of knees. Kaufman backs up, lands several big punches, forcing Modafferi to shoot, she grabs a single but Kaufman sprawls. I give that round to Kaufman 10-9.

Round 3 – Modafferi with some weak kicks that miss and Kaufman moves in lands some nice punches. Modafferi punches back. They clinch, Modafferi throws a knee from the Thai clinch and Kaufman returns the favor. Modafferi gets the trip takedown and ends up on top in full guard. Kaufman hanging on tight. Modafferi postures up, but can’t get in close enough to land a punch. Kaufman gets to her feet, they clinch.  “It’s bowling shoe ugly,” says Mauro. Ref calls time to cut some loose tape. Kaufman lands a nice one, two. Modafferi throws out a jab but Kaufman lands a nice shot. Modafferi ties her up. It’s a battle of attrition. Corn rows give traction for the Thai plum Mr. Miletich informs us. Modafferi jumps guard throws up an armbar attempt. Kaufman picks her up high in the air and slams her down Rampage style and knocks Modafferi out!! Maybe the best female KO in history! Put this girl on a main card! Power bomb slam! Kaufman keeps her title! Kaufman asks in the post fight interview to be put on the main cards, she definitely deserves it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Sarah Kaufman def. Roxanne Modafferi by knockout (slam) Rd 3 (4:45)

Shane Del Rosario vs. Lolohea Mahe

Round 1 – Here we go with the big boys. Big leg kick from Rosario. Another one. Another one, they tie up and Rosario lands some knees to the body. Rosario pushes Mahe into the fence, lands a knee to the body. Ref separates them. Mahe throws a combo, mostly blocked. Head kick by Rosario, blocked, then a leg kick. Mahe with a nice leg kick. Uppercut from Mahe snaps Rosario’s head back. Mahe takes a low blow and ref calls time. Straight right from Mahe as Rosario goes for the leg. Leg kick from Rosario then a big left hand to the jaw by Rosario backs Mahe up, he looks tentative as Rosario clinches and throws some knees. Big knee from Rosario to Mahe’s chin, Mahe eyes roll back, he’s hurt, then one more knee to the gut and Mahe is done. He drops to one knee and the ref stops the fight. Rosario is still undefeated at 10-0. Mauro asks Rosario if he would like to fight Andre Arlovski next and he says he would love it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Shane Del Rosario def. Lolohea Mahe by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (3:48)

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