Strikeforce Challengers Weigh Ins

(PRESS RELEASE) -- All fighters who will compete in the STRIKEFORCE Challengers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink this Friday, Oct. 22, at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., will weigh in the day before, Thursday, Oct. 21, at Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Salon A. The weigh in is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, free of charge, and will begin at 5 p.m. PT.

“Relentless” Roger Bowling (8-0), of Columbus, Ohio, will put his unbeaten record on the line one more time against “Vicious” Bobby Voelker (22-8), of Kansas City, Kan., in a rematch of two dangerous welterweights (170 pounds) in the main event.

Undefeated prospect and Fresno resident Billy Evangelista (10-0, 1 NC) will make his long-awaited return to the cage when he faces Waachiim “Native Warrior’’ Spiritwolf (8-6-1) of San Diego in a 165-pound catch weight fight. The start for Evangelista (10-0, 1 No Contest), will be his first since Nov. 6, 2009, when he earned a unanimous decision over hard-hitting brawler Jorge Gurgel at STRIKEFORCE Challengers at Save Mart Center. An injury sustained in the bout with Gurgel has kept Evangelista sidelined.

Heavyweight star Lavar Johnson (14-3), of Madera, Calif., will continue his courageous cage comeback against aggressive-minded Virgil “RezDog” Zwicker (8-1) in a featured bout. To date, all of Johnson’s wins have come via knockout, TKO or submission.

Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Save Mart Center box office, select Save Mart Supermarkets, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE's official website (www.strikeforce.com).

Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 p.m. PT. The first main card bout will start at 8 p.m. The main card will be broadcast live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).