Bowling-Voelker 3 Tops Challengers 17; Series Moves to Vegas

Bobby Voelker (left) and Roger Bowling (right) will battle for a third time. | Photo: Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

Strikeforce executive Scott Coker today confirmed the news during a press conference in Las Vegas prior to UFC 130. Coker also confirmed that, beginning with Challengers 17 on July 22, the series will move permanently to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. As usual, the event is expected to air on Showtime.

Bowling and Voelker have met twice before, with each man walking away with a victory. In their first bout at Challengers 8 one year ago, Bowling took home a technical decision after he was hit with an unintentional eye poke.

Voelker evened the score in October, earning a TKO victory over his younger foe in the second round of their Challengers 11 headliner. That clash remains the last time either man has stepped into the cage.