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Jun 19, 2009 - 11:20:37 AM
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"Nah. [Being on the 'Challengers' show is] not going to bother me. Maybe Strikeforce has something up their sleeve? The way I look at it is that they are trying to put some names on there so people can watch. I think they are just trying to get people interested. Of course it's a source of motivation. I'm like, 'Hey, why aren't I good enough to be on the main Strikeforce card like we were supposed to be?' But I'm just glad to be performing again and doing what God put me on this planet to do ... I'm just glad that this ride ain't over. Like one of my good friends, Brian Stann, told me, 'This is the 'Respect Tour '09' for 'Smokin'' Joe Villasenor.' So, that's the way I'm looking at it. You know, a lot of people are non-believers. I just want to go out there and perform at my best, and just show people that I am a contender. And if I have to do it on this stage, then so be it. It doesn't bother me."

-Joey Villasenor on being on a "Challengers" card for Strikeforce instead of a main Showtime card. Interview with Ariel Helwani at MMA FanHouse.

Penick's Analysis: "Smokin" Joe heads into his bout tonight with Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos on a mission to prove he belongs on the list of contenders in Strikeforce's 185 lb division. He flat out got screwed with EliteXC going down as he was set to get his shot at Robbie Lawler and he got stuck out of action while healthy for over a year now because of it. It should be a good fight tonight. The full interview is a good read and Villasenor's got more on Cung Le not defending his title and what he's done to acclimate himself to the intimidating nature of "Cyborg."

(Reminder: Strikeforce Challengers airs on Showtime live tonight, June 19th, at 11 PM ET and we'll have live round by round coverage on the event as it airs!)

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