StrikeForce

StrikeForce is a California based Mixed Martial Arts promotion created by Scott Coker. Coker is a fifth-degree black belt under Master Ernie Reyes Sr. and an original member of the West Coast Martial Arts Demonstration Team. StrikeForce originally started out as a Kickboxing organization and made the switch to Mixed Martial Arts in 2006 with the first ever Mixed Martial Arts event to be sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission. That first event, titled Shamrock vs. Gracie, set the North American Mixed Martial Arts attendance record with 18,265 fans in attendance.

Having worked my first MMA event with RAZE MMA Fight Night in San Diego, I was eager to get more experience in the MMA industry. At the time I was training at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, CA and was put in contact with Scott Coker by American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez. I met regularly with Scott Coker at a local Noah’s Bagel shop and gained a wealth of knowledge from him. We discussed the development of the sport, promotional and marketing challenges and potential fighter match-ups and signings.

The next event, StrikeForce Revenge,  was scheduled for June 9, 2006. I was brought on board and performed the following duties:

• Shuttle fighters, managers and officials to and from the airport, hotel and venue
• Administrative paperwork including fighter contract collection, CSAC paperwork, fighter photos for CSAC license applications, bout sheets, itineraries, etc.
• Fighter and manager liaison at the hotel
• Various weigh-in duties
• Procure all fighter entrance music
• Various event operation duties
• Followed up with fighters regarding pay checks after the event
• Responsible for coordinating a pre-fight emergency blood test appointment for Duane Ludwig with a local lab & following up to make sure results would be in time

StrikeForce Revenge was the first large-scale MMA event I was a part of and gave me a very good handle on event operations in the MMA industry. I also met some great people including Clay Guida, Sven Bean, Cecil Peoples, Brian Warren, Duane Ludwig and so many more. My thanks go out to Scott Coker & Javier Mendez for giving me the opportunity, experience and knowledge which has served me so well in my career.

StrikeForce Revenge