Photo credit: Esther Lin / Strikeforce
All the fighters who will compete in the STRIKEFORCE Challengers mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Friday, May 21, weighed in on Thursday at The Game next to the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. All the action will be televised live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Here’s what some of the fighters had to say:
MATT LINDLAND, who takes on Kevin Casey in the main event:
“It’s a good turnout out here and it’s nice to see so many fans out here supporting the fighters.
“I respect my opponent, certainly. He’s facing a tough guy tomorrow night. I respect him even more for stepping up to the challenge.
“I think it’s a great card. The co-feature is going to be the best between Nathan Coy and Tyron. One of those guys is going to be a breakthrough fighter and we’re hoping it’s Nathan. I think a lot of people are expecting Tyron to step up. We’ve all seen how talented he is but we haven’t seen him face anyone very tough. This will be his first big test. Those are the facts. He hasn’t fought any high-level opponents.”
KEVIN CASEY:
“I’m in great spirits and I’m honored to be here and fighting against Mr. Matt Lindland. I’m ready for that introduction of ‘King’ Kevin Casey as the premier athlete in this sport.
“With Mr. Lindland being the hometown favorite I expect him to have more pressure on him. And he being the veteran that even adds more pressure. I feel amazing and I’m ready put on a show. It’s just another day at the office for me. It’s payday time for me.”
NATE COY, who meets Tyron Woodley in a welterweight matchup:
“This is just like another day for me. I’ll sleep great and be ready to go tomorrow.
“I expect my opponent to come hard and to fight aggressive. That’s what I anticipate and that’s what I’m going to get.
“I absolutely respect my opponent. It’s the cream of the crop, the guys who get in the cage and sacrifices everything.”
TYRON WOODLEY:
“I think I match up really well with him. I think he’s been able to overwhelm guys on volume and mentally get into their heads. I think he’s never fought anybody as mentally tough as me and I think that’s going to cause him some concern.
“I want to go into the ring a little bit hungry. I’ll get some steak in me, a little bit of chicken breast. Something that’s going to stick in me and hang out. I’ll do some pasta and some carbs closer to the fight. Maybe three or four hours before I’ll eat a sandwich. I want to be a little bit hungry. I don’t want to be bloaty and slow.
“I’ll probably go into the cage around 190 pounds. I might go in a little lighter maybe 87 or 86 just to be a little quicker and more agile.
“I know people are picking us to be the fight of the night. I think they should. I’m not taking him lightly and he’s not taking me lightly. We’re going to get after it and tear that cage down most likely.
“I’m not thinking about Nick Diaz or anybody else. I’m taking this fight like it’s the most important of my career. That’s how I should take every fight. I think if I keep thinking that way than everything else will fall into place.
“Winning every fight is important to me. I want to win every fight. My undefeated record is important to me but I’m not trying to protect it. I’m trying to win each time out and that’s it.”
BOBBY VOELKER, who fights Roger Bowling:
“I’m feeling great. I wish it was tonight. Cutting weight was simple. I’m just ready to go.
“My opponent is a good fighter and a stand-up guy so that’s where I think I’m going to get him and just go in there and overwhelm him.
“You always want to go in with a game plan but once you get in there you just go with what you know and hopefully get the hand raised at the end.”
PAT HEALY, who fights Byron Travers in the evening’s first televised bout:
“I’ll eat a regular meal tonight and not overdo as bad as I’d like to. I want to make sure my body can process everything I put into it.
“I’ll sleep pretty well tonight in my own bed. I’ll wake up in the morning with my dog on the end of my bed like I do every morning. It really helps. It kind of gives you this weird sense that I’m not really fighting. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. Just being at home, it puts you at ease.
“My twin brother Ryan was in charge of selling all my tickets. I’m going to have about 80 friends and family out there.”
Tickets are on sale now at the Rose Quarter Box Office, all participating Safeway/ TicketsWest outlets, or by calling 877.789.ROSE (7673), as well as online at ComcastTIX.com and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com). Rose Garden Arena doors will open at 5:15 p.m. The first preliminary card bout will begin at 6 p.m. and the first main card bout will begin at 8 p.m.
