Irvine, CA native and undefeated StrikeForce heavyweight Shane Del Rosario (9-0) will put his 0 on the line as he faces heavy handed Lolohea Mahe (4-1-1) in the main event of StrikeForce Challengers, July 23rd at Comcast Arena in Everett, WA on Showtime.
In the co-main event, StrikeForce Women’s World Welterweight (135 pounds) Champion Sarah Kaufman (11-0) will defend her title and unblemished record against Roxanne Modafferi (15-5). In other featured action, Abongo Humphrey (7-1) will take on Mike “Mak” Kyle (16-7-1) in light heavyweight division.
After narrowly escaping defeat against Brandon Cash on his StrikeForce Challengers debut, Del Rosario has compiled an impressive undefeated record of 9-0 in his brief mma career. Of all nine fights, he has yet to go the distance, with one fight going past the first round. He will be in with a opponent with similar knockout power as Lolohea Mahe, sports a 4-1 record, with 4 of his wins coming from verbal submission and TKO. The Hawaiian native is looking to rebound after suffering the first loss of his career.
Current StrikeForce women’s welterweight champion Sarah Kaufman looks at a tough challenge in her title defense. Her opponent Roxanne Modafferi is coming off a hard fought three round decision victory over contender Tara LaRosa last May. The 5-foot-7, 27-year-old Modafferi has won eight of her last nine starts with her only loss coming by way of Marloes Coenen on the undercard of “Fedor vs. Rogers” on Nov. 7, 2009.
Regarding her style, Modafferi says, “I put a lot of value in perfection, which is why I generally like grappling more than striking. I think it takes the perfect pressure, the perfect control, to pull off a beautiful submission hold. You take an armbar to the point of breaking, until the opponent gives up, and you let them go, unharmed. I think it’s smooth, beautiful and masterful. I don’t really want to break somebody’s face and make them bleed — just make them give up.”
