A middleweight bout between Terry Martin (17-5) and Cory “The One” Devela (9-2) was announced today for “Strikeforce at the Mansion II” at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., on September 20.
We last saw Martin getting flattened by Vitor Belfort at Affliction: “Banned” in July. He’s also remembered for his less than stellar (2-4) record inside the UFC Octagon.
The truth about Martin is that he’s pretty much all or nothing. Either he’s going to knock you out, or he’s going to sleep himself. His balls to the wall approach doesn’t always result in his hand being raised, but it usually makes for an exciting fight sans the Marvin Eastman snorer at UFC 81.
He’ll come into this fight having lost three of his last four. In his defense, he has been fighting some decent competition lately, but things certainly won’t get any easier when he faces Cory Devela.
“The One” has reeled off seven straight wins, including a win against Joe Riggs at “Strikeforce at the Dome” in February. His only two losses were to UFC fighters Ed Herman and Matt Horwich.
Here’s what he had to say about the match up:
“I know he’s a short little brick house and a good wrestler, but I’ll have a lot or reach on him and I don’t think anybody’s wrestling compares to mine. People underestimate my wrestling. Joe Riggs did and got thrown because of that. I’m going to do the same thing to Terry if he wants to wrestle with me.”
He’s right about the reach — Martin is giving up a a good six inches in height to the 6′ 2″ Devela. He’ll have a definite advantage in the reach department, but Martin has plenty of experience against bigger, taller guys.
Remember he used to be a light heavyweight, so he’s used to giving up some height at 5′ 8.”
This will be a very competitive match up, and a solid addition to an already impressive fight card being put together by Strikeforce for its second trip to the Mansion.
Josh “The Punk” Thomson is expected to defend his lightweight title in the main event of the night, and Bobby Southworth will put his light heavyweight championship belt on the line against the dangerous Brazilian, Renato “Babalu” Sobral as well.
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On a more important note, I’m watching that movie “Harsh Times” and it is the shit!
I think a fight between Babalu and Tito would be extremely interesting. It’s too bad Tito is asking way too much.
IM MORE EXITED ABOUT THE DREAM GP!!ITS GONNA BE GOOD!!
DEVEALA IS SMOKING CRACK IF HE THINKS HE REALLY BEAT RIGGS…….Riggs went into that fight with an injury,and hurt it in that fight again…..the ref stopped it because of the injury..not because Riggs was losing..or even getting hit.