Crash Course: Everything You Need To Know About Strikeforce "Challengers 18"

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of “Crash Course”. “Crash Course” is a series of articles designed to give readers a quick rundown on all the relevant information they need to know heading into an upcoming major MMA event. Everything from why you should watch, what you should expect in the co-main and main event, and even where and when you can find it on TV is all covered in detail. So let’s get right to it with today’s edition, featuring Strikeforce’s “Challengers 18” event.

The Event: Strikeforce “Challengers 18”, currently scheduled for Friday, August 12, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card will be broadcast live on the Showtime network starting at 11 PM ET.

Why You Should Care: Strikeforce’s ailing “Challengers” series looks to rebound from a string of somewhat-unimpressive shows with an event that seems tailor-made for the kind of “sleeper hit” status that made me a fan of this series of events in the first place. You’ve got many varied fighters up and down several different weight classes, you’ve even got Strikeforce “Arena Series” stars and “Challengers” main event stars.

What to Look Forward to in the Main Event: Jorge Gurgel is a submission specialist and a veteran fighter that has had runs in both the UFC and Strikeforce. Gurgel has fought many tough fighters and dealt with some pretty tough losses, but recently, he may have started a comeback. Gurgel got his first submission win in over six years earlier this year, and it only took him forty-four seconds to do it. We could be witnessing the rebirth of Jorge Gurgel in the main event of “Challengers 18”.

What to Look Forward to in the Co-Main Event: Danillo Villefort should realistically be fighting on a main Strikeforce card, heck, he should even be fighting in the UFC. Villefort entered the UFC with a five-fight win-streak which included a first-round TKO win in the WEC, and lost due to a doctor’s stoppage. And for some reason, that caused the UFC to give Villefort the boot. Villefort spent time outside of major promotions by bouncing up and down between Middleweight and Welterweight while chaining together four straight wins, two of which were (T)KO’s. Villefort will be stepping into the Strikeforce cage with bad intentions, and that should make for a very entertaining fight.

Why You Should Watch This Card: This card is anchored by two big names, one in the main event and the other in the co-main event. Another big name on the card is Pat Healy, who has been in the main event of previous “Challengers” shows. Based on what I’ve seen, all three of those fights should be entertaining, which means you’re basically guaranteed to see three good fights on a five-fight card. And I like those odds.

Why You Shouldn’t Watch This Card: As always… it’s freaking late. It’s really, really late when “Challengers” hits the airwaves. Also, the “Challengers” shows haven’t really been hitting it out of the park lately, they’ve produced a string of events that have only been so-so.

Closing Thoughts: I won’t lose any sleep over missing this event, although I will watch it time permitting. My interest in “Challengers” has waned in the face of several mediocre shows and the overall direction of where Strikeforce is heading, but I do think that this will be a good event overall.