Former top-ranked middleweight Matt Lindland will return to Strikeforce against another submission fighter and prospect Roger Bowling will make his long-awaited Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce Challengers 8 on May 21 in Portland, Ore., the promotion announced Thursday.
After facing jiu-jitsu wizard Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in December, the 2000 Olympic silver medalist is set to face Rickson Gracie protege Kevin Casey. Meanwhile, Bowling will see if he is worthy of the hype when he fights on the national spotlight against Bobby Voelker.
In the early to mid 2000s, Lindland (21-7) was considered one of the top middleweights in the world. But in the latter half, Lindland has slipped and is currently sitting on a two-fight losing streak. The 39-year-old Lindland lost in December by arm-triangle choke. Casey is a black belt in BJJ, but he may be more known for his association as a client of reality TV star Spencer Pratt.
Bowling (7-0) has been fighting the last several years out of the Indiana-based MMA Big Show promotion and was supposed to compete for Strikeforce last November, but was forced out due to injury. He has finished all seven of his opponents and he'll look to extend that streak versus Voelker (21-7), a winner in four of his last five fights.
Current Fight Card:
Matt Lindland vs. Kevin Casey
Bobby Voelker vs. Roger Bowling
Tyron Woodley vs. Nathan Coy
Kerry Vera vs. Julianna Pena
After facing jiu-jitsu wizard Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in December, the 2000 Olympic silver medalist is set to face Rickson Gracie protege Kevin Casey. Meanwhile, Bowling will see if he is worthy of the hype when he fights on the national spotlight against Bobby Voelker.
In the early to mid 2000s, Lindland (21-7) was considered one of the top middleweights in the world. But in the latter half, Lindland has slipped and is currently sitting on a two-fight losing streak. The 39-year-old Lindland lost in December by arm-triangle choke. Casey is a black belt in BJJ, but he may be more known for his association as a client of reality TV star Spencer Pratt.
Bowling (7-0) has been fighting the last several years out of the Indiana-based MMA Big Show promotion and was supposed to compete for Strikeforce last November, but was forced out due to injury. He has finished all seven of his opponents and he'll look to extend that streak versus Voelker (21-7), a winner in four of his last five fights.
Current Fight Card:
Matt Lindland vs. Kevin Casey
Bobby Voelker vs. Roger Bowling
Tyron Woodley vs. Nathan Coy
Kerry Vera vs. Julianna Pena