According to StrikeForce, Cory Devela (9-4) will face Bobby Voelker (21-8) in a welterweight showdown on the July 23rd edition of StrikeForce challengers at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington.
Devela received headlines recently as it was reported that his girlfriend was suffering from cancer. Now that his girlfriend is healthy Devela is looking to recover on some lost time. He has been absent from mma since June 19, 2009 when he choked out Luke Rockhold, in the first round at a STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash.
“I took care of her and went through the surgery and the chemo (therapy),” Devela said. “She’s all better now so it’s my turn to fight. It was just one of those things where you have to put family before everything else. I just wanted to take care of her before I take care of myself.”
Devela will be dropping down from the middleweight division to the welterweight division, nothing that he expects to be a much stronger, faster and a more dangerous contender.
“I think I’ll be at an advantage when I fight Bobby,” Devela said. “He’s been fighting at 170 and I’ve been fighting at 185 so I’m used to guys that are a lot bigger. I think I’m going to be a lot stronger, leaner and I’ll fly a lot better. I’m re-energized.
On the other side of the cage will be hard hitting Bobby Voelker who has a game plan in place for Voelker.
“If he comes with an overhand right I’m just going to spear him and beat the hell out of him.”
Voelker is with a story as well, the Kansas City native works a 50 plus hour a week job as a vinyl siding salesman and installer while balancing his mma career.
“I’ve had a great camp,” Voelker said. “I’m really putting a lot into it. I know I have to fight strong, fight with a lot of heart, a lot of wits and get that victory. I don’t think his size will be an issue for me,” Voelker said. “I’m a big 170 – I should be fighting 185. I think it’s a good match up.”
