Joe Duarte
Event shows slight gains, but still under-performing at The Palms
The attendance and gate numbers are in from Strikeforce Challengers 18.
While both numbers from the prospect-rich series rose from the previous show, the totals are still low for the newest addition to the Las Vegas fight scene.
Just 549 tickets were sold for the August 12 event that featured 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Ronda Rousey in her Strikeforce debut. By comparison, more than 1,300 complimentary tickets were handed out. Gate receipts totaled $53, 670.
Though these numbers represent a slight increase from the first Challengers series event to be held at The Palms, they are undoubtedly lower than Strikeforce would like. In addition to the Olympic judoka, the event featured by an exciting lightweight match-up between Jorge Gurgel and Joe Duarte in the main event, as well as lightweight veteran Pat Healy, Danillo Villefort and Gian Villante. While the card delivered in the cage, it clearly missed the mark at the box office.
Strikeforce Challengers 19 is expected to take place on Friday, September 23 with Lorenz Larkin meeting Virgil Zwicker in the main event, as well as the return of Ryan Couture and Lavar Johnson.