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Joe Riggs vs Kazuo Misaki Strikeforce fight official for Playboy Mansion

riggs misaki
Middleweights Joe Riggs (28-10) and Kazuo Misaki (20-8-2) will collide in a middleweight tilt when Strikeforce returns to the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., on September 20.

Misaki -– the Pride FC 2006 Welterweight Middleweight Grand Prix winner -– is on a two fight win streak and has been victorious in five of his last seven appearances. The "Grabaka Hitman" has taken on the world’s best at 185 pounds throughout his career, including Dan Henderson, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Denis Kang, Paulo Filho, Frank Trigg, Nathan Marquardt, Ricardo Almeida and others.

He is a tremendous talent and was a big-time acquisition for San Jose-based mixed martial arts promotion. And Misaki is eager to show his new employer that the company made a wise choice.

Here’s a snip from a recent press release:

"I am looking forward to making my debut for Strikeforce at The Playboy Mansion, an incredible venue that is well-known throughout the world…. Joe Riggs is a tremendous competitor. His style is aggressive like mine so I have no doubt that our fight will be an exciting and memorable one."

Riggs –- who has been plagued by injuries and other issues outside the cage throughout his career –- will compete in the middleweight division one final time before settling once and for all in the welterweight division. The talented 25-year-old Arizona native has had an up-and-down career and there’s no doubt that a win over Misaki would be a huge lift.

"Diesel" most recently defeated Matt Dempsey via submission (rear naked choke) Rage in the Cage (RITC) 112 back in July, marking a successful return from his most recent back injury that cost him a possible win against Corey Devella at Strikeforce: "Strikeforce At The Dome" earlier this year.

Here’s a snip from Riggs:

"The back’s great. It’s 100 percent. I’m really excited to be healthy again and looking forward to getting back on top."

According to the press release, the showdown between Misaki and Riggs is the first confirmed "Strikeforce At The Mansion II" match up. The lineup will eventually comprise 10 bouts and likely feature lightweight champion Josh Thomson in the main event of the evening.

Stay tuned for more fight card updates.

0 recs  |  Comment 11 comments

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The "Grabaka Hitman" is one of my favorite middleweights. I really look forward to seeing him back in action. Riggs is in BIG TROUBLE cause Misake is one BAD DUDE!!!

anyone know what channel this event will air on?

by john on Aug 11, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I really hope that BetUs offers odds on this fight. Because casual fans have only heard of Riggs, they may bet on him. The MMA fans know thatt Misaki should be a HUGE favorite in this fight…

by ViolentMike on Aug 11, 2008 10:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Great point Mike. What channel would this event air on? Hdnet?

by john on Aug 11, 2008 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

strike force is usually on showtime, and i would be surprised if this event WASNT on channelsurfing.net

by b.w. on Aug 11, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’d hate to be the guy who gets whupped in front of all the bunnies.

by PW on Aug 11, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

they might feel sorry for him. you know, some sympathy pu$$y.

by b.w. on Aug 11, 2008 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

lets see riggs vs baroni at ww

by Joe on Aug 11, 2008 10:32 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Misaki 1st round TKO.. and Baroni would KO him too

by RoB on Aug 11, 2008 11:35 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

uh oh Misaki! Looks like you’re about to get flattened by the Diesel! Riggs by KO, Round 1.

by Andiesel on Aug 11, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice to see Kazuo Misaki back in action: he was one of my most favorite japanese fighters back in Pride.

by Fedor Emelianenko DVD - MMA instructional on Aug 11, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

anyone know what channel this will be on or is it pay per view?

by Boy on Sep 7, 2008 5:24 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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