Erik "Bad" Apple
NEW YORK (Nov 19, 2009)—Following a 15 month hiatus, rising mixed martial arts (MMA) star and famed action sports personality Erik “Bad” Apple is locked and loaded for his highly-anticipated return to the cage.
“Expect me to do everything I can to finish this fight inside the 15-minute limit,” said Apple (10-1), who will square off with another standout competitor, Bobby Voelker (20-7), at welterweight (170 pounds) in one of five live, SHOWTIME® televised STRIKEFORCE Challengers bouts from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas this Friday, November 20.
“I am excited to fight in a premiere organization like STRIKEFORCE and hope to challenge myself by beating better opponents every time I enter the cage.”
A former protégé of MMA and Vale Tudo legend Marco Ruas, Apple, a resident of Orange County, California is a member of the newly formed Kings MMA fight team founded by master Rafael Cordeiro as well as the CSW squad headed by former Shooto champion and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Erik Paulson. In Apple’s corner on Friday will be former STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight (205 pounds) Champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral and MMA superstar Josh Barnett.
“I think I am well rounded and physically strong,” said Apple of the attributes he has gained from training under world-renowned mentors. “I am a true mixed martial artist, who has earned wins in every fashion.”
In his last effort, Apple was victorious by way of second-round submission (rear naked choke) over promising Matt Makowski on September 26, 2008.
Outside of the cage, Apple has risen to prominence in the world of action sports, providing commentary on the national television broadcasts of X Games and Motocross since 1999 and 2005, respectively. He has also called fights for three different MMA promotions since 2003.
Apple is sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink, Metal Mulisha, and Las Vegas, Nevada’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Apple’s opponent, Voelker, has won three of his last four starts. Since turning professional in February 2006, more than half of Voelker’s victories (12) have come by way of knockout or TKO.
The live, SHOWTIME telecast of the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event will begin at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
In the welterweight main event, two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri and undefeated MMA prospect, Tyron “T-Wood’’ Woodley (4-0), will battle the dangerous Rudy Bears (13-5)
In other SHOWTIME televised action, Kerry Vera (1-0), a contestant on the 2007 Oxygen network reality series “Fight Girls,” will face Kim “Sugar Free’’ Couture (1-1) in a 135 pound female matchup; Aaron Rosa (12-2) will take on Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (7-2) at light heavyweight; and Kevin Casey (2-0) will lock horns with Chad Vance (7-3) in a middleweight (185 pounds) matchup.
