[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWUSLler88Y[/youtube]

Deerfield Beach, Fla. – Authentic Sports Management® athlete Roy Jones, Jr. may share his name with one of the world’s most famous boxers, but the talented light heavyweight looks forward to establishing his own reputation in MMA when he makes his promotional debut in the Strikeforce® Challengers series.

With a strong career record, and with finishes in all five of his victories, Jones, Jr. recently signed with the Zuffa, LLC-owned Strikeforce organization and is set to take on Derrick “Caveman” Mehmen on Friday, August 12, live from the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

“I am super excited at this opportunity, I want to thank Authentic Sports Management for their support and for getting me into Strikeforce,” said Jones. “I also want to give my appreciation to my family back home in Iowa, and to the Blackzilians who are helping me get ready for this fight.”

“Roy Jones, Jr. is someone to watch in the light heavyweight division,” said Glenn Robinson, Authentic Sports Management. “With the talented training team he has behind him, I believe he has huge potential and I’m confident he will make that known August 12 in his Strikeforce debut.”

A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Jones, Jr. (5-1) has been fighting professionally since 2009. He started off his career with five first round finishes in a row, with three coming via knockout, and two by way of submission. All six of Jones, Jr.’s fights took place in Iowa, thus his Strikeforce debut will be his first professional fight outside of his native state. Training out of Boca Raton, Fla. at Imperial Athletics and with the Blackzilians, he is motivated and ready to make his mark on the national fight scene.

Also making his Strikeforce debut that night will be Jones, Jr.’s opponent, Derrick Mehmen (11-3). “Caveman” is, at 26 years old, a talented young veteran of MMA. A product of American Top Team, and also a fellow Iowa native, Mehmen has competed in Bellator, and has faced UFC veterans Mike Ciesnolevicz and Dave Branch.

“My thoughts on Mehman… I think I’m just going to knock him out,” said Jones, Jr.

“Strikeforce® Challengers 18: Gurgel vs. Duarte” will feature a main event of former UFC competitor Jorge Gurgel taking on Strikeforce/Bellator vet Joe Duarte. Also showcased on “Challengers” will be tilts between fellow ASM® stablemate Danillo Villefort and Nate James, Pat Healy and Eric Wisely, Sarah D’Alelio and Ronda Rousey, and Keith “KO Kid” Berry and Gian Villante

I have to admit it did not excite me, but it is still a good promo for someone that has some potential.