Strikeforce Bolstering Roster With Quality MMA Prospects (List + Summary Included)

[GOD]

FW: Thomas Longacre (4-0):
Hometown: Sapulpa, OK
Age: 31
Height: 5'9
Weight: 147 lbs
Background: Kickboxing
Accomplishments: 2nd Degree Black Belt in TKD, 3rd Degree Black Belt in Goju-Ryu.
Background Records: Kickboxing: 28-2 (19 KOs), WCL (8-4).

HL Reel On His Website (Under Vids):
http://www.tkick.tv/

HL's From Some Of His Fights:

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LW: Bryan Travers (13-1):
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Age: 26
Height: 5' 10
Weight: 155 lbs
Background: Wrestling
Accomplishments: Placed 4th in PAC-10 and became a NCAA Div. I national qualifier.

Sherdog Prospect Watch: Bryan Travers:
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles...-travers-18116

Travers began his MMA career as a pure wrestler. He also tipped the scales at more than 200 pounds. In, 2005, he signed to fight another debuting competitor at a Gladiator Challenge show. Thanks to injuries and last-minute changes, Travers instead faced an infinitely more experienced foe -- Anthony Ruiz, who was 9-5 at the time. Travers choked out his larger opponent in a little more than three minutes.

WW: Shamar Bailey (9-1):
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Age: 26
Height: 5'10
Weight: 170 lbs
Background: Wrestling
Accomplishments: Reached NCAA Division III national tournament (1st athlete in school to accomplish that.)
Background Records: Highschool: 32-0.

Feature On Shamar Bailey:
http://mmajunkie.com/news/15745/figh...eschooling.mma

With a greater commitment to training, Bailey won his first five professional fights to earn a slot at a Revolution Fight League event against a Las Vegas-based fighter named Waachiim Spiritwolf in Louisville, Ky. Not only was the fight for a title, but it was the first time Bailey traveled for a bout and the first time he would appear on television.

Again, he didn't disappoint. The December 2007 event was Bailey's sixth consecutive win to start his career.
...
There's just one fight that sticks with Bailey, and it was his only loss. In April 2008, he agreed to defend his RFL title against Roger Bowling, who at the time was a firmly built, 2-0 rather unknown fighter from the Cincinnati area.

"He never touched me while I was on my feet," Bailey said. "He came at me, I backed up, and I slipped. He did what he had to do, he hit me a few times, and the ref stopped it.

"My grandma could hit me a couple times if I slipped."

Footage From Some Fights:

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WW: Tyron Woodley (3-0):
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Age: 27
Height: 5'9
Weight: 170 lbs
Background: Wrestling (Currently training with American Top Team).
Accomplishments: Highschool: State Champion. College: Conference Champion (Missouri University).
Background Records: Highschool: 48-0. College: 2 Time All American Honors (Missouri University).

Sherdog Prospect Watch: Tyron Woodley:
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles...-travers-18116

The 11th of 13 children raised mostly by a single mother, Woodley entered the world to an immediate struggle to survive. His father was out of the picture by the time he was 10, leaving his mother to work double and triple shifts in order to keep the family afloat. Woodley oftentimes had to fend for himself. Needs sometimes went unmet. They say iron sharpens iron.
I learned a lot, having that many people in the house with limited resources," Woodley says. "I think it made me a better person. My dad wasn’t around. I used that to fuel me. I was always in athletics. I didn’t have time to wonder, ‘Where’s my dad at?’ I learned resilience, endurance and how to push through stuff.
Still, the lure of gang life proved strong in his native St. Louis, and he soon succumbed to its seduction. His grades plummeted, and he found himself under a 90-day, fight-related suspension that forced him to miss an entire semester of high school. Odds were not in Woodley’s favor. He seemed ill-prepared to escape the bonds of his environment, but he threw his energy into wrestling and slowly but surely pointed his life in the right direction.
...
Woodley persevered, earned a four-year degree and became the first member of his family to graduate from college. Balancing fatherhood with training, he plans to continue working toward a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Southern Illinois University, where he also serves as an assistant wrestling coach. Woodley connected the dots in his personal life, too, as he reconciled with the father who left him in the rearview mirror as a kid. Faith guided him.

Video Of Woodley's Last Fight Against Sal Woods:

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T-Wood HL Reel:

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WW: Paul Bradley (11-1):
Hometown: Tama, IA
Age: 26
Height: 5' 9
Weight: 170 & 185 lbs
Background: Wrestling
Accomplishments: Part of TUF 7. High School: State Champion. College: 2 Time All-American (Univ. of Iowa).
Background Records: College: 77-37 (University of Iowa), placed 2nd in Big 10 and 4th in NCAA.

Feature On Paul Bradley:
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/08/...h-strikeforce/

A former state champion wrestler in high school, and a two-time All-American at 184 pounds in college, Bradley has established himself a force to be reckoned with in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions during his time in MMA. Sporting an impressive record of 11-1, Bradley’s sole defeat in his professional career came in the form of a hard-fought unanimous decision at the hands of fellow blue-chip prospect Mike Pierce.
The arrival of Bradley will add a little more depth in the ever growing Strikeforce 170 and 185 pound divisions.
According to Bradley, the move to Strikeforce is one he welcomes with open arms. He’s eager to show the world that he has arrived, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Paul Bradley MMA Fighter Video:

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MW: Zak Cummings (10-0):
Hometown: Springfield, MO
Age: 25
Height: 6'0
Weight: 185 lbs
Background: Wrestling
Accomplishments: Decorated wrestling background.

Feature On Zak Cummings:
http://mmajunkie.com/news/15740/stri...fight-deal.mma

Cummings turned professional in 2007 and fought nine times in his first 15 months on the Midwest pro circuit, including the Midwest Cage Championship, where he is the organization's middleweight champion.
However, the Springfield Fight Club-trained fighter is perhaps best known for his February victory over Terry Martin. Cummings picked up a split-decision win over the longtime UFC fighter at the "XCF: Rumble in Racetown" event.

LHW: Antwain Britt (9-2):
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Age: 31
Height: 6'1
Weight: 205 lbs
Background: Wrestling
Accomplishments: Wrestling and football standout at Indian River High School.

Via antwainbritt.com:

A native to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Antwain attended school at Indian River High School where he was a wrestling and football standout.
He joined Hybrid Academy in May of 2006. He had his first amateur tournament three months later, where he won the North American Advanced Open Amateur Title. Since then Antwain has won all of his fights in convincing fashion winning by either K.O., or T.K.O.. All of these fights have been won in the first round as well.

Antwain Britt vs Antonio Mendes Bout:

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HW: Daniel Cormier (0-0):
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Age: 30
Height: 5'11
Weight: 235 lbs
Background: Wrestling
Accomplishments: U.S. Nationals Champion (2008), 4th In Olympic Games Freestyle Wrestling (2004).
Background Records: College: 117-10 (Oklahoma State) Olympic Games (2004): Placed 4th.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/16103/form...orce-event.mma

Daniel Cormier, the two-time Olympic wrestler and six-time senior national champion freestyle wrestler, will make his mixed martial arts debut on the September 25 Strikeforce Challengers card at the SpiritBank Events Center in Bixby, Okla. Strikeforce officials would not confirm nor deny Cormier's involvement on the upcoming card.
As of Thursday, no opponent has been signed to face the MMA rookie.
Cormier had a 117-10 record at Oklahoma State University. The 30-year-old finished fourth in the 2004 Olympic games in freestyle wrestling, but was forced to withdraw early from the 2008 Games after suffering from severe dehydration.

Feature On Cormier Via Hulu:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/29409/a-sh...daniel-cormier

More after the jump...



They are joining more seasoned prospects already in the Strikeforce roster:

FW: Wilson Reis (8-1):
Wilson Reis is a mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt. He got his black belt under Roberto Godoi. As a brown belt, he won the 2004 Jiu Jitsu World Championships. He competed in the EliteXC bantamweight division, before the company's collapse. Reis was crowned the first EliteXC Bantamweight champion on September 26, 2008.
He trains at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United in Jenkintown, PA and in Daddis Fight Camps in Cherry Hill, NJ & Philadelphia, PA. He is currently contracted to both Bellator Fighting Championships and Strikeforce. His lone defeat came in the hands of Joe Soto, the current Bellator FW champion.
Wilson Reis vs Abel Cullum is highly recommended for an intense ground war.



FW: Bao Quach (16-9):
Bao Quach is a American featherweight professional mixed martial artist who has fought for Affliction, EliteXC, World Extreme Cagefighting, King of the Cage, ICON Sport, Strikeforce and Shooto promotions. Bao has defeated the likes of Chris David, Cole Escovedo, Mark Oshiro, and Doug Evans. He is known for his unorthodox fighting style and his fight to a draw with Shooto veteran Hatsu Hioki.
He is 10-1 in his last 11 fights, losing only to highly touted LC Davis at Affliction Day of Reckoning.



LW: Fabricio Camoes (10-4):
Fabricio already had a muay thai background when he began training jiu jitsu under Royler Gracie when he was just 15 years old. His first mma fight was when he was 17 and he second fight of that day was against Anderson Silva in a Vale Tudo match, which went for 10 + rounds. He has since competed in the EliteXC and trains at Alliance MMA with Brandon Vera among others.



LW: Billy Evangelista (9-0):
Billy Evangelista is a professional mixed martial artist who has fought for World Extreme Cagefighting and Strikeforce in his short career. His most notable win was over former UFC fighter Luke Caudillo. Billy is currently training under Ralph Gracie with his older brother Jorge Evangelista.




LW: Justin Wilox (6-3):
Just Wilcox is a former NCAA Division I wrestling stud and rising Team AKA star. Since jumping off to a shaky 2-2 start while fighting at 170 lbs, Wilcox reset his game plan and reeled off four consecutive victories, including his August 30th conquest of "The Ultimate Fighter" season five cast member, Gabe Ruediger, at a lighter, more comfortable weight. He has won 5 out of his last 6 fights, only suffering a defeat against Japanese LW star Mitsuhiro Ishida.





LW: David Douglas (4-2):
David Douglas is a American professional mixed martial artist who has fought for EliteXC and International Fighting Championships. David made his MMA pro debut against Jeff Curran and has defeated the likes of Marlon Mathiasand Muay Thai superstar Malaipet during his undefeated streak in Elite XC. David got his nickname from Cesar Gracie while training together. David's twin brother Damion Douglas is also a mixed martial artist. David recently signed with Strikeforce.
If you missed the Malaipet vs Douglas fight, it is a great watch with tons of action.
http://fliiby.com/file/84395/9uwiyzg2gz.html



WW: Lyle Beerbohm (12-0):
Lyle Beerbohm is a American professional mixed martial artist who has fought for Strikeforce, EliteXC and King of the Cage in his undefeated career. Before Lyle started his mixed martial arts career he spent a year in Washington State Penitentiary for drug related crimes. Lyle only spent 23 months learning and training in MMA before going pro. He is nicknamed "Fancy Pants" for his colorful trunks hand made by his mother.
Beerbohm spent a year and a half at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Wash., as a result of multiple felony convictions, all related to his crystal meth addiction. But Beerbohm discovered MMA while locked up, and he knew he had found his new calling.



WW: James Terry (7-1):
Among the next generation of stars coming up through the Strikeforce ranks is welterweight Cung Le product James Terry.

A former champion in the smaller Cage Combat promotion, Terry debuted for Strikeforce earlier this year, and has won both his fights for the company, including a second straight victory over Zak Bucia on the undercard of the Aug. 15 Showtime: Carano vs. Cyborg.



WW: Eric Lawson (9-2):
Eric Lawson began his professional Mixed Martial Arts career on February 12, 2004 for California based Mixed Martial Arts promotion Gladiator Challenge at Colusa Casino in Colusa, California, USA.
Lawson is currently riding a 5 fight win streak, 4 of which have come in Strikeforce. He has a 45 second KO and was featured on NBC for Best Submissions.



WW: Luke Stewart (6-2):
Luke Stewart began his professional Mixed Martial Arts career on June 9, 2006 at Strikeforce: Revenge in San Jose, California, defeating Bill Duvall via 1st round submission.
Luke Stewart has trained and competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for several years, and is a black belt under Ralph Gracie, in San Francisco, California.



WW & MW: Jesse Taylor: (13-4):
He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred after filming was completed.
In junior college, Taylor became a two-time All-American, state runner-up in 2003, and state champion in 2004, only losing three matches. Taylor was then rewarded with a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton. After the birth of his son, it become harder for Taylor to concentrate on wrestling and school while adjusting to the family life. Taylor still managed to qualify for the Division 1 NCAA Tournament and was 3rd in the Pac-10's.



MW: Luke Rockhold (5-1):
Since making his debut in 2007, Rockhold has increasingly moved up against tougher competition, and all but once he has come out on top. Rockhold trains with the famed AKA gym in northern california.

Most recently he toppled Team Quest up-and-comer Buck Meredith in just over four minutes and Corey Devela within the first minute, insuring that he once again had yet to leave the first round in any of his bouts.




MW: Cory Devela (9-4):
Fighter out of Bonnyvill, Washington, got some recognition after he beat Joe Riggs with a Judo throw, which caused an injury to Rigg's back.








MW: Tim Kenney (11-2):
Timothy Fred Kennedy (born September 1, 1979 in San Luis Obispo, California) is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who currently fights for the MMA promotion Strikeforce. He is one of the only fighters to simultaneously serve full time in the United States Army while fighting professionally. His only losses in MMA are to veterans Scott Smith and Jason Miller.
He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, where he served on Operational Detachment Alpha’s and with the elite Commander’s Inextremis Force (CIF) for 4 years. During this time he was also a sniper, sniper instructor, the principle combatives instructor for C Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. Kennedy deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. Among Kennedy’s multiple awards is the Army’s Bronze Star medal, which was awarded for valor under fire.



LHW: Aaron Rosa (12-2):
Aaron Rosa born in Del Rio, Texas is a mixed martial arts fighter. He competes in the Light Heavyweight division. He won his last fight against Ron Fields on June 14, 2008, at Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs Russow, by TKO. He was scheduled to fight Seth Petruzelli, at EliteXC: Heat, but Petruzelli was moved to the main event to fight Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson after Ken Shamrock had to pull out due to an injury. Rosa trains with Tito's Team Punishment and has developed a tough ground game while improving his striking.


LHW: Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante (7-2):
Cavalcante, born in Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brazil, is an IFL and EliteXC veteran who trains under Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Lyoto Machida, and Anderson Silva (Team Blackhouse). He currently fights as a light heavyweight for the Strikeforce promotion.
Best Feijao HL:

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HW: Lavar Johnson (12-3):

Lavar Johnson is an American mixed martial artist who fights out of Fresno, California. He currently trains with Team Buhawe out of Fresno, CA and A.K.A (American Kickboxing Academy) out of San Jose, Ca.
Lavar was born in San Jose, California and grew up in Madera, California. He attended Madera High School where he was a star football linebacker. After graduating for Madera High School, Lavar attended Merced City College where continued to excell as a defensive threat.
Johnson was one of five people struck when a gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon in an assault on a Fourth of July family reunion gathering in Bakersfield, Calif. His cousin, Anthony M. Johnson, 37, died in the attack.
Johnson was shot twice in the abdomen. He spent several hours in critical condition before stabilizing after successful surgery. Johnson spent two weeks in the hospital before being released.





HW: Scott Lighty (5-0)
Scott Lighty, 30, is a former K-1 kick boxer who produced a 29-11 record over the course of his first career. Finding it hard to stay busy in K-1, Lighty moved over to MMA a little over one year ago. Training at The Pit in San Luis Obispo, CA with legendary striker, Chuck Liddell and trainer John Hackleman, Lighty fought and won four times in 2008. He has finished four of his five opponents. He has fought K-1 superstars such as Stefan Leko, Mighty Moe, Ruslan Karaev, Chalid Die Faust, Dewey Cooper, Patrick Berry, and Gary Goodridge.



HW: Shane Del Rosario (7-0):
The first US WBC heavyweight Muay Thai champion, Del Rosario is a relative new-comer to professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts, but already has reached the pinnacle in Muay Thai as the current WBC Heavyweight Muay Thai kickboxing champion. Del Rosario possesses incredible quickness combined with unbelievable strength; this has been proven with his unbeaten record of all KO’s and submissions.


http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/9/9/...ng-roster-with

[dr.katz]

i must spread before giving you rep but awesome post god some sick up and comer pickups by ol scotty.

antwan britt is a stud as is woodley and travers. really glad to hear lavar is doing better cant wait to see him competing again even if it will be a while.

war kennedy feijao and beerbohm.

[kermitthefrayer]

Awesome post! Thanks godbro.

[[AEM] TEAM420]

I went to High School with Bryan Travers...it's cool to see that he is a prospect for Strikeforce.

[Raparanta]

good post. very interesting prospects indeed.

[TreMetal]

Awesome post. Will have to keep an eye out for these guys.

[IMAMEX]

Lots of talent there. War Beerbohm!

[The Fire]

LOTS of talent. As long as they can survive paying all these guys combined 1/100th of what they are paying Fedor than they should be able to build with a roster like this.

WAR FANCY PANTS.

[vanzanco]

WAR KENNEDY

WAR WOODLEY

WAR DEL ROSARIO

[mmarlon brando]

WAR FUCKING LIGHTY! He'll be champ soon enough.

[Radar]

Tae Kwon Do + Goju-Ryu > Muay Thai + BJJ

[Paulo "Crunchtime" Pisani]

Nce list!!

Some real solid propects!

I like Lighty, Reis, Quach, Evangeista, JT$, Lavar, Feijao, Kennedy.

It will be interesting on how quickly they push Cormier?

[iwhoopedbatmansass]

interesting