Strikeforce Challengers Raising The Bar For Arizona Mixed Martial Arts

MMA has always had deep roots in the Arizona desert.  AZ has long been a part of the fabric of this great sport.  As the sport evolved from its earliest days, The Grand Canyon State has continually contributed many assets to MMA.

Various competitors, coaches, managers, a living legend, and even a few world champions have been produced.

It started back in the days of living legend Don Frye as he pounded his way through UFC tournaments as one of the sport’s very first cross trained fighters.  

Frye would lead the charge of a small platoon of elite competitors that would emerge from the dry heat of the desert.  In his wake many would follow and succeed on various platforms across the sport ranging from the UFC, WEC, to Strikeforce and beyond.

As the sport evolved Frye would move on to Japan to compete in the legendary Pride Fighting Championships.  Later guys like Drew Fickett, Joe Riggs, Ed West, Ryan Bader, C.B. Dollaway, Efrain Escudero, George Roop, Chad Griggs, Seth Baczynski, Jamie Varner, and WEC Champions Dominick Cruz and Ben Henderson would carve their way into MMA.

That list, for those who don't know, is a who’s who of Arizona mixed martial artists who have cut their teeth in regional promotions before making their way to some of the most recognizable promotions in the world.  

Yet sadly, with all the talent and promise regarding fighters being trained and groomed for elite levels of competition, none of them has had the luxury of competing in front of their home crowd.  

Sure elite local promotions like The World Fighting Federation provide crucial platforms for fighters to push off from as they reach for new heights as they progress beyond the local talent pool.

Yet for a guy like Ryan Bader or Dominick Cruz, the WFF is not an option for them.  Quite simply their talent far exceeds the average quality of fighters competing at that regional level.

This forces them to compete in events held in Nevada, California, or anywhere the big boys of the MMA promotional world might ask them to compete.  But never have any of them had the opportunity to compete for a major event at home.

That is all changing this Friday night.  While many of the top shelf fighters mentioned have already found homes for themselves with top promotions, a guy like Joe “Diesel” Riggs has the unique opportunity to be one of the first elite AZ fighters to headline a major MMA event in his home state.

Strikeforce has become the first mainstream MMA promotion to breach the borders of AZ to bring a platform for elite fighters to compete in front of their home crowd.

Many would argue the WEC made a huge mistake when they opted to have home grown champs Jamie Varner and Ben Henderson unify the WEC LW title in California as opposed to their hometown of Phoenix AZ.  

That event would have exposed a rabid mixed martial arts community that is chomping at the bit to earn their place as a valid and viable contributor to the MMA world.  

Well one man’s trash is another man’s treasure they say, and Strikeforce is about to reap the rewards of taking a chance on fighters and fight fans in the desert.  They are bringing their Challengers series to The Dodge Theater in Phoenix Friday night.

The card offers a mosaic of high quality MMA for fans to take in as they become the first promotion of their caliber to give these fighters and fans their day in the spotlight with a card that will be televised on Showtime.

It starts with an under card that features many local up and coming competitors from across the state.  Local fans will recognize names like Andres Acuna, Joel Champion, or Ryan Diaz as they have been building their reputations under various regional promotions.

Those guys are all looking to seize the opportunity placed before them as they step onto the biggest stage of their young MMA careers to perform for the world of MMA under the Strikeforce banner.

On the main card, a name everyone will recognize is that of MMA royalty.  Couture is a name that jumps off the fight card but it is not Randy Couture, it is his son Ryan who is making his pro MMA debut.

Ryan cut his teeth under the world class Tuff-N-Uff banner in Las Vegas as an amateur.  Under the tutelage of his legendary father he has become quite a promising fighter.  Young Couture is looking to take his first professional steps against Lucas Stark who is also making his pro debut.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the night is a four way women’s tournament that will decide the number one contender to Sarah Kaufman’s 135 pound title.  It’s going down old school style as the tournament will be completed in one evening.  

Don Frye must be proud of these warrior athletes who are laying it all on the line with no guaranteed opponent, only an opportunity to fight who ever comes their way on their way to the title shot they covet.

The tournament includes standouts Miesha Tate, Carina Damm, Hitomi Akano, and Maiju Kujala.  Their quest should provide a very unique and riveting aspect to an already promising card.  

The main event provides local fans a chance to see a long time staple in the ranks of AZ fighters.  Joe Riggs (32-12) will be headlining this card as he squares off with Louis Taylor (6-1) in the main event of the evening.

Riggs is a hardened veteran of the game with a resume that includes wins over MMA standouts Chris Lytle, Phil Baroni, Kendall Grove, and current Strikeforce WW Champ Nick Diaz.

His opponent Taylor is a dangerous banger with four KO wins on his record.  He will have his hands full with the crafty veteran Riggs who has a history littered with both KO and submission victories.  

All in all, this card is a unique and extremely rare opportunity for the fighters and the fans who really are integral parts of this sport.  Events like this don't come their way often if ever, and that aspect alone should provide the motivation to make this a memorable event on all accounts.  

Having already experienced the local MMA community first hand for many years now this writer can almost guarantee that when The Dodge Theater fills up Friday night, and the Strikeforce brass gets a taste of the local MMA flavor, they will be sold on becoming a frequent visitor to the Grand Canyon State with their events.

In doing so they will blaze a path many promotions either didn't bother to pursue, or didn't realize was so rewarding.  They will hopefully set a tone that opens the door for all of MMA to finally give AZ its due with regard to it being a knowledgeable and engaging  MMA community.

Welcome Strikeforce, Arizona thanks you for the opportunity and support.

This article originally featured at Hurtsbad.com