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Strikeforce Challengers 18: Roy Jones Jr. expecting a knockout on Aug. 12 in Las Vegas

No, not that Roy Jones Jr. -- but you still might want to check this guy out.

By now, you may have heard about a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who shares a nomenclature with the professional boxing star.

On Friday, Aug. 12, Strikeforce Challengers 18 will take place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jones will be on the card and will take on fellow light heavyweight Derrick Mehmen.

Strikeforce recently signed Jones, whose nickname is "The Wolf." He's 5-1, a former security guard, and like the boxer whose name he shares, he likes to throw down.

"My thoughts on Mehmen… I think I’m just going to knock him out," Jones Jr. told MMA Weekly.

Mehmen holds a record of 11-3. He's primarily a wrestler, but nine of his eleven victories have come by way of knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO).

The fight will be the first on a main card that features Jorge Gurgel vs. Joe Duarte as the main event. The card will also feature Danillo Villefort taking on Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Nate James.

Friday night will mark the second time that the Challengers series has traveled to Las Vegas. Strikeforce will hope for a better gate this time, as it was reported that Strikeforce Challengers 17 returned marginal numbers at the door.

Each subsequent Challengers show also takes on a new sense of importance as MMA jobs on the top level seem to be becoming more and more exclusive. They might not all be admitting it, but everyone in Strikeforce is auditioning for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). It's just a matter of time.

What do you think Maniacs? Will you be watching on Friday night? Is the world of combat sports big enough for two Roy Jones Jr.'s?

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