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Strikeforce event big deal for area MMA fighters

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By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 12:39 AM Friday, March 4, 2011

COLUMBUS — Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson” event at Columbus’ Nationwide Arena features a championship doubleheader that could draw nearly one million Showtime viewers.

But the event, which marks the organization’s Ohio debut, has bigger stakes for nearly a dozen area fighters who compete on the untelevised preliminary card.

They include West Chester Twp. gym owner Jorge Gurgel and Cincinnati prospect Roger Bowling, both of whom previously have competed for Strikeforce. But there also are fighters such as fast-rising Brian Rogers.

Rogers (6-2) meets Ian Rammel (4-2), who is a late replacement for injured Miamisburg middleweight Tyler Combs (14-5). For the special-education teacher and former Walsh University linebacker, it’s undoubtedly Rogers’ most important fight to date.

“I was just looking for a step up and an opportunity,” Rogers said.

So when he heard Strikeforce was coming to town, the Kent native did what any competent self-promoter would do.

“I Googled their matchmaker, and I launched a Twitter assault,” he said with a laugh. “I started sending him fight videos and stories (about me), and I told fans to hit him up.”

Back in January, Rogers fought an experienced opponent at a regional show in the Cleveland suburb of Parma and unloaded a first-round assault. It resulted in his fifth straight victory, all of which have come via knockout.

Rogers, of course, contacted Strikeforce matchmaker Richard Chou with the news, and that eventually led to a spot on Saturday’s card. As with Strikeforce’s other preliminary cards, Rogers hopes an impressive performance earns him an extension on his one-fight deal.

“Most definitely that’s what I’m after,” he said of a multi-fight contract. “I enjoy the competition and the sport, but at the end of the day, it’s about making money. Only a handful of promotions let you make legit money. Strikeforce is one of them.”

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has dished out such contracts before.

“These really are showcase fights,” he said earlier this year. “We’ve signed a lot of fighters after they impressed us (on the prelims).”

For Rogers and the other Ohio prospects, such a deal also would provide security. Rogers has seen scheduled opponents no-show weigh-ins (one faked an injury and another was arrested). He’s trained for a specific opponent only to face a replacement on a few days’ notice. It’s an unfortunate part of regional MMA.

“If you look at Strikeforce’s roster, it’s a lot of West Coast fighters,” he said. “I can’t think of many Midwest or East Coast guys. But they’re branching out. They did a show in Tennessee and now Ohio. I think I’d be a great person to add to their roster. I want that security.

“But I have to get a win on Saturday.”

Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson

When: Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Saturday; prelims begin at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus

TV: Showtime, 10 p.m.

Co-main events: Strikeforce light-heavyweight champ Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (10-2) vs. Dan Henderson (26-8), women’s welterweight champ Marloes Coenen (18-4) vs. Liz Carmouche (6-0)

Tickets: Nationwide Arena ticket office, online at ,a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com">Ticketmaster.com and Strikeforce.com, and Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000. Prices are $27, $52, $77, $102, $252.

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