Strikeforce: HDNet to air 'Payback' October 3

by James Iannotti on Aug 18, 2008 1:29 PM EDT Comment 23 comments

strikeforce payback
Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz announced today that Strikeforce: "Payback" from the Broomfield Events Center in Denver, Colo., on October 3 will air live on HDNet. We reported last week the announcement of this event; however, at the time no television deal was in place.

The San Jose-based organization struck a deal with Mark Cuban's HDNet earlier this year to air four separate events during 2008. This will be the third show to air on the high definition cable network.

The other two were the June 27 event headlined by the lightweight title bout between Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez and Josh "The Punk" Thomson and the February card in Tacoma, Wash., which featured Bob Sapp's first fight in the United States.

This October 3 event for Strikeforce will be its second in a two week span. On September 20 the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills will host "Strikeforce at the Mansion II." Lightweight champ Josh Thomson is expected to defend his strap in the main event and light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth will also put his gold on the line against Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

"Payback" has a main event rematch between Duane "Bang" Ludwig and Sam Morgan at 185 pounds. The two previously fought back in 2005 with Morgan winning by first round knockout.

Ludwig is coming off a first round technical knockout loss to Takanori Gomi in March, while Sam Morgan is coming off a first round loss himself, which came at the hands of Fabricio Camoes this past Saturday during a Sho XC event.

Also confirmed for the card is a middleweight match up pitting Frank "Twinkle Toes" Trigg against Falaniko "Niko" Vitale. Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni and Pete Spratt are also expected to be in action against yet to be determined opponents.

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I cant wait for Cung Le’s return to Stikeforce. I wouldnt be upset to see him in the UFC either.

http://www.ufc-forums.com

by UFC-Forums.com on Aug 18, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Main Event is taking place at 185 lbs??? Duane is a LW and Sammy usually competes at WW and his last fight against Camoes on Friday was at 160 lbs.

What is the point of having two LW’s gain 30 lbs each??

by ViolentMike on Aug 18, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats what I was wondering. What in the world are “Bang” and Sammy doing fighting at middleweight. Bang’s going to win that fight!

by john on Aug 18, 2008 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

bobby southwhatever is gonna get his teeth knocked through the mat by babalu. and does anyone really care to see the new york fatass fight anymore? never impressed me, wouldnt say it to his face tho ha!

by medecine balls on Aug 18, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Baroni is a new man at WW.

Some people question his fighting skills but one thing can never be questioned about Baroni, he has never been a fat ass

by Automation on Aug 18, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m takin Ludwig and Trigg, and most likely Baroni depending on the opponent. Gotta go with Duane, being as I’m a fellow coloradan, been to a couple of his local fights at ring of fire, he’s a cool guy.

by O damn he got caught on Aug 18, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And wtf, I thought Babalu was with Affliction, I guess he didn’t want to take the pay cut, or they just didn’t care to have him on board anymore. I coulda sworn there was all kinds of rumors about an Ortiz vs Babalu match up for an Affliction belt. They are definatley going down…

by O damn he got caught on Aug 18, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hes fighting in both organizations

by mitt romney on Aug 18, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

O, thats right… I forget that affliction doesn’t include a no compete clause in their contract.

by O damn he got caught on Aug 18, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baroni is fighting Pete Spratt, Im taking Baroni even though I do like Spratt, I just think Baronia has much more experience in bigger organizations

by brendan on Aug 18, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

IF thats the case, which i doubt, cause it says they are both fighting against yet to be determined opponents. But IF thats the case, then Spratt will school Baroni on the feet.

by O damn he got caught on Aug 18, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Pete Spratt fan???? WOWZERS!!!!!

by ViolentMike on Aug 18, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually, looking back at spratt’s history, id say they are both very evenly matched up, both men have fought some tough opponents and have a good amount of experience, should be a great fight!

by brendan on Aug 18, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol, why not? Win or lose the guy has only ever gone to decision twice, and he’s got some good wins, Robbie Lawler and Rich Clementi aren’t too shabby.. Besides Spratt has quicker hands, in the stand up department speed kills.

by O damn he got caught on Aug 18, 2008 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baroni isn’t fighting Pete Spratt.

They are both on the card with opponents yet to be determined

by Automation on Aug 18, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh, good call auto, lol getting all hustled and bustled for nothing

by brendan on Aug 18, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has Baroni ever been KTFO in HD?

by the_mexicutioner on Aug 18, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Baroni’s makin the comeback. HES TAKIN IT BACK. Just a few more cans.. just a few more and he’ll be back up at the top again.

by O damn he got caught on Aug 18, 2008 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the road back to being the top can.

by the_mexicutioner on Aug 18, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baroni doesnt even really take these fights serious. He fights like once every 3 weeks in all kinds of wacky organizations. HOw much preparation can he be putting into these fights when he is fighting so often, throughout the world. He is ALL about collecting a CHECK! Its robbery that organizations keep letting him fight!

by john on Aug 18, 2008 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs