LOCAL FIGHTERS PREPARE FOR STRIKEFORCE

By James Gilliland
VSP MMA Columnist

Strikeforce Challengers will hit the Save Mart Center on May 15 but before that happens there was an open workout at Gold’s Gym featuring a few of the fighters on the card.

Ben Holscher (1-0), a health teacher at Clovis High and will be making his Strikeforce debut in only his second fight.

“I consider myself very blessed, this is a huge opportunity and I’m going to make the best of it,” said Holscher. “I’m just going to take it as it comes.”

Making his fifth appearance on a Strikeforce card, Team Buhawe and valley native, Billy Evangelista (9-0) looks to remain undefeated as he takes on Mike Aina (11-6-1).

Evangelista is excited to have the home field advantage in his upcoming bout.

“It’s exciting just because it’s going to be here,” said Evangelista. “More people know me here compared to other places, where people have to warm up to me. I’m the guy nobody likes me cause I’m not from there.”

His reputation in the valley has grown, along with the popularity of MMA.

“People recognize me and I feel kind of shocked, I don’t think I’m really popular,” said Evangelista.

Strikeforce added Chad Sutton (2-1) to the card as a late replacement.

“I got the call at 10:30 at night, I was in the gym at 11 doing cardio,” said Sutton. “I’m trying to get in shape as fast as I can.”

Chad doesn’t know much about his opponent, Spencer Herns, since he is making his pro debut against Sutton.

“I would like to submit him; I’ll do anything it really doesn’t matter to me,” said Sutton. “I’m going to leave it all in there.”

Sutton moved to the valley and began training at Fresno Kickboxing Academy with UFC and Strikeforce veteran, Jason Von Flue. Prior to moving to the valley, he trained with Sean Shrek, former UFC lightweight champion and UFC vet, Roger Huerta.

In his last fight, Sutton defeated Eli Moreno (4-6) by guillotine choke in less than a minute in the first round.

Also, at the workout was heavyweight contender and Madera native, Lavar Johnson (11-3).

“It’s exciting, it’s a chance to be on Showtime and showcase my skills,” said Johnson.

Lavar hopes that this fight will lead to more big name fights in the future. In Johnson’s last outing he beat Dave Huckaba (10-3) by technical knockout in the first round.

All the fighters I spoke with are excited about the card and having it in their own backyard.

“There’s a lot of people coming out, this is a huge event,” said Holscher.

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