No opponent has been set as yet but we are expecting to get this locked down immediately and will update everyone here.
February 20th, Belterra Casino in Indiana. Triple Threat, also featuring Dave Hess, Mojo Horne and TJ Ball (TJ is making his pro debut at 185).
Yes, it’s official. “Relentless” Roger Bowling has signed with Strikeforce and is expected to make his Strikeforce Debut in Feb/March. No opponent has been set yet.
The signing took place inside the MMA Big Show cage where Big Show President and Bowling’s manager made the official announcement and Roger signed the agreement right there in front of his fan base. This took place at MMA Big Show FULL FORCE Oct 24th at Belterra Casino.
The guys at Strikeforce have been very cool to work with and we are all looking forward to a long and dominating road ahead.
Bowling will still be able to fight for the MMA Big Show until he is a contendor for or holds a Strikeforce title so expect to see him back in the Big Show cage sooner than later.
2010 is going to be an exciting year.
It’s been a tough week for Roger Bowling as he dealt with being pulled from the Sep 5th fight against War Machine due to broken knuckles and the loss of his Father. He’s been training in BJJ and keeping himself in shape while letting his hand heal up.
He wants War Machine and War Machine keeps talking trash but still hasn’t agreed to fight Roger.
Hopefully now that the Sep 5th event is over, we can get War Machine to step up for November.
We’ll see how things turn out.
It’s sad in this business when a fighter get injured before a major bout that could help his career take off. In the case of Roger Bowling, it will have happened twice with the same opponent.
During Bowlings fight with Devon Plaisance on July 25th, Roger suffered 3 cracked knuckles. After having the doctor check it out, we were told he should be good to go by the time the fight rolls around. Well it’s been several weeks and only one of the knuckles is fully healed and the remaining two are still in bad shape. Roger has been hiding the extent of his injuries in the gym until recently when it was noticed he nearly dropped to his knees after grazing his training partners elbow. So we had Rogers hand looked at again and came to the conclusion that Bowling wasn’t ready for a fight. As badly as Roger wanted to bring it to War Machine, everyone agreed that if he were to go in there and throw one punch, he could easily have broken his knuckles again making his hand useless which isn’t worth trying out this early in ones career.
John Prisco of the XFC though dissapointed, understood and was very supportive of our decision. War Machine on the other hand has begun talking a lot of trash about Roger while in the same breath saying he wouldn’t schedule a fight with him again. Kind of convenient if you ask me. Jon (War Machine) knew what he was getting into with Roger and I think his relief is showing in the amount of trash talking he’s delivering to anyone who will listen.
When Roger is 100%, we will attempt to schedule this bout a 3rd time, if War Machine declines, then we all know he’s just afraid of Roger as War Machine only has things to gain from scheduling these bouts, until Roger actually steps in there with him.
MMA Big Show Undefeated 5-0 Champion “Relentless” Roger Bowling to face UFC Veteran War Machine in Co-Promotion between Florida based XFC and Cincinnati’s MMA Big Show as Main Event of Sept 5th EVOLUTION.
September 5th, 2009 in Tampa Florida, Relentless Roger Bowling will face UFC Veteran War Machine (Formerly known as John Jopenhaver) in a main event bout at the XFC’s September 5th event Evolution Live on HDnet.
Roger Bowling is a phenom in the Mixed Martial Arts arena, recently enjoying a 9 second knockout win over IFL/Bodog veteran Seth Baszynski and not having any of his 5 professional fights go past the first round.
War Machine, AKA Jon Kopenhaver is a veteran of the UFC hailing an 8-2 Professional record and has built a national name not only by his dominating ability in the cage but by utilizing his boisterous attitude to stir up the MMA community. Never having actually been beaten out of the UFC, rather having been kicked out due to public comments he made regarding Evan Tanner and the UFC, War Machine is a name the MMA Community either love or hate, he’ll take either so long as people want to watch his fights.
Originally the two fighters were set to face each other at MMA Big Show: CONVITION on June 20th, 2009, however Bowling had to pull out due to a severe break of his wrist which also pulled the tendons from his thumb. A steel working lathe accident that set Roger back several months. Now fully healed and ready to go, Roger is waiting in bloodlust for this highly anticipated bout.
This fight won’t happen on MMA Big Show grounds however as even though Bowling is a signed exclusive fighter to the MMA Big Show, this bout will take place LIVE on HDNet with the Tampa, Florida based XFC on September 5th, 2009. A co-promotional effort between Big Show President Jason Appleton and XFC President John Prisco.
“John and I have spoken to each other and exchanged emails many times over the past year and we agree that this isn’t something we would do with any other promotion. Though through our discussions we have impressed each other with our accomplishments and the integrity demonstrated on both sides. I’m very happy to be working with John and know that he will put on an amazing event.” Explains Appleton
The event will take place at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. Tickets are on sale now through all Ticketmaster locations. www.mmaxfc.com for more details and visit www.mmabigshow.com for details on local watch parties.
5-0 Pro Champion Roger Bowling Vs. Devon Plaisance on July 25. Devon recently lost a battle with UFC Veteran Cale Yarbrough and is looking to claim a victory over Bowling in July.
Originally Roger Bowling was scheduled to fight UFC Veteran War Machine on June 20th at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa but due to a severe work accident breaking Roger’s wrist completely while tearing the tendon from his thumb, the fight was postponed for a later date and Rogers road to recovery began. Devestated by the inability to continue with the fight Bowling found boredom quickly and began training within two weeks of his accident. Relentless lived up to his name as he pushed himself further each day until finally a routine checkup with the Dr. revealed Roger was healing much quicker than he has ever seen. A freak of nature he has proven to be even prior to his quick return to the training cage.
On July 25th Roger will fight his first fight back in the Big Show cage against Devon Plaisance who is currently 3-2 as a Pro. Some may say this is just a tuneup fight for Roger before his big match with War Machine, though easily mistaken as such Plaisance is no sloutch in the cage. Looking at his list of recent opponent reveals a fighter who though he may not have a perfect record, is someone who is determined to fight the best names around whenever possible.
“I don’t believe in record building.” explains Devon Plaisance during a quick discussion with Big Show President Jason Appleton. “I want to fight the best guys I can find anywhere and if I lose, I learn.”
After asking Devon how familiar he was with Roger he explained “I’ve seen some of his fights online and I know what a tough guy he is, that’s why I’m here.” Maybe Devon is hoping for a chance to capitalize on Roger’s injury as a means to level the playing field, or maybe he’s got some skills he’s been waiting to show the MMA Big Show fans in a major upset. Whatever his reasons for wanting in the cage with Roger, one thing is for sure, when that cage door slams shut behind these two gladiators, it’s every man for himself and may the best fighter win and Devon Plaisance is coming to fight.
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com and prices have been reduced across the board by $10 due to the obvious economic crisis. Seats are assigned and first come first serve so get the best seats now while they last. July 25th UNSTOPPABLE - Main Event UFC Veteran Johnny Reese Vs. BJJ Brown Belt (JG Academy) Chris Wells.
Roger is recovering in what his doctors say miraculously.
He’s been training and doing very well. He even told me if the break would have happened during a fight he could have kept going…and I believe the crazy bastard.
He will be fighting a currently TBA opponent on July 25th at Belterra Casino so keep tabs on that. He will also be at Belterra this coming show on June 20th to support his training mates from Team Vision.
War Machine said on his Facebook account that he’s ready to beat up Roger whenever Roger is ready…sounds like a September show to me…
