Watch Strikeforce Challenger Series

Strikeforce Challenger Series is a mixed martial arts (MMA) competition show that aired on CBS from 2009 to 2011. The show was produced by Strikeforce, a now-defunct MMA promotion company, and was a part of their efforts to expand their audience and showcase up-and-coming fighters.

The premise of Strikeforce Challenger Series was simple: each episode featured a lineup of fights between MMA fighters looking to make a name for themselves on the national stage. The fighters were usually relatively unknown, but had shown promise in regional competitions or had been scouted by Strikeforce talent scouts.

The show was hosted by Mauro Ranallo, a well-known combat sports commentator, and featured color commentary from MMA veterans like Pat Miletich and Frank Shamrock. The fights themselves were held in a standard MMA octagon, with three rounds of three minutes each, and were officiated by experienced referees.

One of the unique features of Strikeforce Challenger Series was its focus on showcasing new talent. While other MMA promotions like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator often signed established fighters with large followings, Strikeforce Challenger Series gave up-and-comers a chance to prove themselves on a national stage.

The show also had a strong focus on international fighters, with many episodes featuring athletes from countries like Russia, Brazil, and Japan. This gave the show a more global feel than some of its competitors, and helped broaden the fan base for MMA as a whole.

In addition to the fights themselves, Strikeforce Challenger Series also featured in-depth interviews with the fighters, behind-the-scenes footage of their training camps, and profiles of their personal lives. This helped viewers connect with the athletes on a more personal level and made for a more engaging viewing experience.

Overall, Strikeforce Challenger Series was a well-produced and entertaining MMA show that helped introduce viewers to some of the sport's up-and-coming talent. While the show only lasted for a few years before Strikeforce was bought out by the UFC, it remains a beloved part of MMA history and a must-watch for any fans of the sport.