Strikeforce Shatters Live Gate Records In Washington State

February 23, 2008

Tacoma Dome

Tacoma, Washington

TACOMA, WA.—With a live audience of 7,089 at Tacoma Dome on Saturday, February 23^rd, “Strikeforce

At The Dome” surpassed the dollar amount grossed by any boxing, mixed martial arts, or kickboxing gate in

Washington State history.

“It’s an honor that the people in the Tacoma and Seattle area welcomed us with such open arms our first

time there,” said Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker.  “The public’s embracement of the event is evidence of its

hunger to see a big mixed martial arts fight card live as well as its true understanding of the sport.”

During the live HDNet telecast of “Strikeforce At The Dome,” fans witnessed the transformation of Cory “The

One” Devela (8-1) from local hero to national star as the 23-year-old Bonney Lake, Washington native and

former junior college wrestling standout stopped Joe “Diesel” Riggs (27-10) with a textbook judo throw that

rendered the far more experienced competitor on his back and unable to continue the contest.

Former UFC and K-1 North America Champion, Maurice Smith (74-20-4), also shined in front of his

hometown fans as he quickly submitted fellow kickboxing legend, Rick “The Jet” Roufus (57-8) with an

armlock at the 1:53 mark of the fight’s opening round.

Bodog Fight was the event’s Presenting Sponsor. 

 About Strikeforce:

Strikeforce is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made

history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California

state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd

of 18,265.  Since 1995, Strikeforce has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN

and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company

unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.”  Since then, it has produced the first

SHOWTIME PPV mixed martial arts event in history with its world championship “Shamrock vs. Baroni”

card on June 22^nd of this year followed by the first-ever mixed martial arts event at the world-famous Playboy

Mansion on September 29th. 

Contact:

Mike Afromowitz, Strikeforce – muaythaimes@aol.com

- From Strikeforce with a little editing from us (color, etc...)

(2/26/08)