Couture wins; complete Strikeforce Challengers 19 results
A late replacement for the injured Virgil Zwicker, Rossborough (20-15, 0-1 SF) brought the fight to Larkin from the start….
A late replacement for the injured Virgil Zwicker, Rossborough (20-15, 0-1 SF) brought the fight to Larkin from the start. He battled for superior position in the clinch, utilized his dirty boxing and kept Larkin from striking at a distance. However, his outing unraveled inside the first minute of the third round, as Larkin delivered a crushing knee to Rossborough’s solar plexus and folded him where he stood.
Larkin — who had scored mostly with leg kicks, punches to the body and sporadic combinations up to that point — pounced and tried to finish. Though Rossborough defended and recovered, he was never the same. The air had been let out of the proverbial balloon. Later in round three, Larkin drew considerable blood with a short elbow strike from top position, as he kept Rossborough pinned to the canvas and accelerated the Utah-based light heavyweight’s fade down the stretch.
I think he came to fight, Larkin said. That’s what I want. I couldn’t ask for nothing better. I love how he pushed me. This is where fighters show their heart.
Christopher Spang defeats Joe Ray via unanimous decision
Bobby Green defeats Charon Spain via submission (arm-triangle) at 2:54 of 2nd round.
James Terry defeats Magno Almedia via KO at 3:21 of 1st round.
Brian Melancon defeats Felipe Portela via unanimous decision
Quinn Mulhern defeats Danny Davis Jr. via submission (triangle) at 4:08 of 3rd round.
Jason High defeats Todd Moore via unanimous decision
Ryan Couture defeats Maka Watson via majority decision
Shawn Jordan defeats Lavar Johnson via submission (key-lock) at 3:08 of round 2.
Lorenz Larkin defeats Nick Rossborough via unanimous decision