Roger Bowling has been defeated only once as a professional MMA fighter.

The loss came at the hands of Bobby Voelker (23-8 MMA, 3-1 SF) in late 2010, and with the knockout victory, Voelker avenged a decision loss to Bowling (9-1 MMA, 2-1 SF) that took place five months earlier.

It's been nine months since their second meeting, and Bowling now has the opportunity to avenge the loss when the trilogy takes place Friday at in the headliner of Strikeforce Challengers 17.
"Nothing really changes just because I know him," said Bowling, who headlines the Showtime broadcast from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. "I know what he's going to do. I know what his strengths and weaknesses are, I know what I'm good at against him, and nothing really changes.

"He's got heavy hands, I got heavy hands, and it's going to be a great fight."

There isn't a lot of animosity heading into the rubber match. In fact, it's the opposite. The pair of welterweights gets along quite well, and despite who wins or loses, Bowling said a post-fight tradition has been formed.

More plus Watch Roger vs Bowling I & II

"I like Bobby a lot," he said. "We actually hung out at the fighters summit in Vegas a couple months ago for the UFC. He's a cool guy, I have nothing against him, and we both know that when we get in there, it's all business. I bought Bobby a shot of Patrón after I beat him the first time, he bought me one after he beat me the second time, and I'll be buying him one after I beat him the next time."

While Bowling has emerged himself into training camp in hopes of avenging the loss, he's done so while maintaining a full-time job outside of the Strikeforce cage.

"I still work too," Bowling said. "I don't train till later in the evenings anyway. I train in the mornings as well, but yeah, I'm still working too. It's hard to give it up, man, with the insurance and stuff. It's hard being a full-time fighter. I got a house, a couple trucks, (and) a little girl. I have a lot of responsibilities, so it's hard to just give it up."

Bobby Voelker vs Roger Bowling I 2010 05 21

Bobby Voelker vs Roger Bowling II 2010 10 22