The Weekly Wrap: Sept. 26 – Oct. 2

Strikeforce Challengers

In a good example of what the prospect-heavy “ShoMMA” series is designed to do, Strikeforce positioned a potential middleweight title challenger and ushered in possible forces in its welterweight and heavyweight divisions in its most recent “Challengers” event Sept. 25 on Showtime.

Charismatic Army Green Beret Tim Kennedy was showcased in the main event, having a relatively easy time defeating undefeated local prospect Zak Cummings. Kennedy hit him from top control for virtually the entire first round and eventually maneuvered into a North-South choke for the tapout halfway through the second frame.

Post-fight, Kennedy was asked about fighting for the Strikeforce middleweight belt against the winner of the Jake Shields vs. Jason Miller fight on Nov. 7. Kennedy indicated he didn't think he was ready for an immediate title fight. Kennedy holds one win and one loss over Miller. He was originally set to face Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos on the Challengers card.

The card -- emanating from the SpiritBank Event Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma -- was the first Strikeforce event to broadcast on the American Services Network, which was extensively pushed with a military man in the main event. The Armed Forces Network has broadcasted UFC events to over a million military personnel per event in the past.

Two other sure-fire prospects, welterweight Tyron Woodley, 27, and heavyweight Daniel Cormier, 30, looked impressive on the card.

Woodley, who possesses some of the more explosive takedowns in the game, swarmed on veteran Zach Light with slams and fast reflexes. Woodley came up short on three arm triangle attempts, but found an armbar in the second round for the tapout. Woodley announced he is joining the American Top Team following the win.

In the night’s opener, Daniel Cormier, one of the best American wrestlers of the past decade as a five-time national champion and two-time Olympian, made his MMA debut. Cormier mostly put hands on opponent Gary Frazier, eventually obtaining mount and dropping punches for the TKO. Cormier, was trained for the fight under Bob Cook, a Strikeforce matchmaking consultant and head of the American Kickboxing Academy in the promotion's backyard of San Jose, Calif.

In an exciting striking battle, training partners and local products Thomas Longacre and Travis Calanoc got the biggest rise out of the live crowd, as crisp, high-energy striking combinations flew for three rounds. Longacre edged out the unanimous decision.

Another striking ace, K-1 veteran Ray Sefo, picked up his second MMA win over UFC veteran Kevin Jordan, after Jordan injured his right quadriceps muscle trying a second-round takedown. Jordan had been leading the contest until that point.