Strikeforce Rockhold vs Kennedy Weighins - July 13th, 2012
Rose Garden Arena - Portland, Oregon
Photos by Mike Renouard
A small but vocal crowd of NW fight fans were on hand as the weigh-ins were held at the Rose Garden Arena for Strikeforce: Rockhold vs Kennedy. Two championship fights round out a stacked card featuring some of the best fighters in the world, including Portland's own Pat "Bam Bam" Healy who had the biggest crowd support.
In the main event, 185 lb Champion Luke Rockhold and challenger Tim Kennedy square off for the Strikeforce Middleweight Title. Rockhold came in at 185.5 lbs and had two hours to shed the half pound (for Championship fights there is no 1 lb allowance) but only needed 20 minutes to do so. Pre-fight these two fighters have been nothing but cordial to each other, showing a tremendous amount of respect for the others skills, and the fight itself shold be an excellent one.
The vacant Strikeforce Welterweight title is on the line as veteran Nate Marquardt takes on undefeated Tyron Woodley. The face-off after weighing in was the most contentious of the night as Woodley put his mug right into Marquardt's, while Marquardt did some talking that only Woodley and perhaps Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker could hear. Expect fireworks in this one!
The final fight on the preliminary card features Strikeforce Lightweight contender Pat "Bam Bam" Healy, who represents Team Quest in Gresham OR, taking on Strikeforce newcomer Mizuto Hirota. Healy, the 2011 NW Fightscene "Best of the Best" winner for Oregon, is on a four fight win streak with Stikeforce after losing a heartbreaker to Josh Thomson two years ago, and looks to make a statement for a title shot with a win Saturday night at the Rose Garden.
Strikeforce Rockhold vs Kennedy takes place at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland with the first preliminary bout starting at 4:30 PT. The last 4 preliminary bouts will be broadcast on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 PM ET/PT (tape delayed on west coast), with the main card shown on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed West Coast).
Tickets for are on sale now at the Rose Quarter Box Office, all participating Safeway/TicketsWest outlets, by calling 877.789.ROSE (7673), or at RoseQuarter.com.
For more information or the latest STRIKEFORCE news, visit www.strikeforce.com.
WEIGH-IN RESULTS/PHOTOS
MAIN CARD (SHOWTIME)
Main Event - Middleweight Championship
Champion Luke Rockhold (185 lbs*, 9-1) vs Tim Kennedy (184.5 lbs, 14-3)
*Both Luke Rockhold and Lorenz Larkin were a half pound heavy on their first weigh-in attempts, and both shed the half pounds within the alloted time period to officially make weight.
PRELIMINARY CARD (SHOWTIME EXTREME)
Lightweight Pat Healy (156 lbs, 29-15) vs Mizuto Hirota (156 lbs, 14-4-1)
Lightweight
Ryan Couture (155.5 lbs, 4-1) vs Joe "Hybrid" Duarte (155.5 lbs, 10-2)
