The Weekly Wrap: Jan. 23 - Jan. 29
Strikeforce Table Set
Jack Encarnacao Jan 29, 2010
D.
Mandel/Sherdog.com
Strikeforce Table Set
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Herschel Walker, the NFL great set to make his MMA debut against little-known Greg Nagy on the card, did an effective interview on the popular “Pardon the Interruption” show on ESPN mid-week. The celebrated 47-year-old athlete convinced skeptical hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon that the fight card, and the sport, was worth checking out and not dismissing as gratuitous brutality. Walker framed MMA as safer than professional football due to the concussion issues among NFL players.
In addition to press activities, which also included a media day at the American Top Team Gym in Coconut Creek, the promotion made several announcements about its upcoming cards.
The promotion announced Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Andre Galvao will make his stateside debut on a March 26 “Challengers” event in Fresno, Calif., against home-grown product Luke Stewart. Galvao is the latest import from Dream promotion under a working agreement with the promotion; Dream champion Marius Zaromskis headlines Saturday against Nick Diaz to create a 170-pound champion. The March 26 card will also feature the return of heavyweight Lavar Johnson, who made a full recovery after he was shot in the stomach outside a relative’s house in July. Johnson faces 4-0-1 Hawaii fighter Lolohea Mahe.
Several announcements also came from EA Sports, which is producing its MMA video game that will be released tin September. The EASportsMMA.com website will stream a preliminary fight Saturday between Jay Hieron and Joe Riggs at 9:05 p.m. EST. The company also announced Zaromskis, Riggs, Nick Diaz, Melvin Manhoef and Bobby Lashley will be featured in the video game.
All fighters made weight Friday for Saturday’s card, which also includes Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos’ first title defense against Marloes Coenen and Robbie Lawler vs. Manhoef.
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