The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT Jan. 29, 2011

While tonight's Mixed Martial Arts light-heavyweight bout between Coeur d'Alene's Trevor Prangley and Roger Gracie won't be the main event as the lights come on - it could be one that sets the tone for a stacked card during the Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg fights at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

The event, which will be the opening fight on the main card live tonight starting at 7 on Showtime (Time Warner channel 426, DirecTV 546), will also feature former NFL player Herschel Walker against Scott Carson in his second career fight and two title fights, including Nick Diaz vs. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos for the welterweight title.

"It's a really good card," Prangley said earlier this week via phone from San Jose. "It's going to be a real exciting night."

Prangley, part owner of the Iron Lion gym in Hayden, is 23-6-1 in his MMA career, while Gracie is 3-0.

Gracie, trained in jiu-jistu, has been dubbed the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jistu practitioner in the world, winning world titles in various kickboxing events.

"I think it's going to be a tough fight," Prangley said. "He's the most decorated guy in this practice in the sport. He's got a lot of pride in his name and is going to do everything he can to honor that name."

The fight also marks the first time Prangley has found himself in the opening bout of the main card.

"The promoters think it will be a good matchup," Prangley said. "I don't see it going the distance. He'll either knock me out or I'll make him submit. Everyone is just hoping for a finish that will get the crowd ready for the next match."

The next match will feature former NFL player Walker, who has been training along with Prangley during the past five weeks at the American Kickboxing Academy.

“He’s shown lots of improvement since his last fight,” Prangley said of Walker. “I think it’s great that someone of his age (48) can compete at this level.”

WHEN PRANGLEY isn’t preparing for a fight, he can be found in the gym in Coeur d’Alene helping some of those younger fighters get their careers going.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in the gym helping them train,” Prangley said. “I kind of use them to keep me in shape before I prepare for my matches. Right now, I don’t have the chance to give them the attention they deserve. When the time comes, I’m looking forward to helping them.”

While he enjoys training, Prangley doesn’t intend on slowing down on his in-ring appearances.

“I think I’ve still got a couple more years in me,” said Prangley, 38. “My mind is willing and hopefully have a couple more physically. It’s a good way to make a living.”

Prangley, a former North Idaho College wrestler, added that while a win is special, it’s just another step in his career.

“It would be just another win,” Prangley said. “I’d be excited to win because that could advance me to the next level in the (Strikeforce) rankings. I’m just worried about getting a win — no matter what the name is.”

Win or lose, Prangley knows that with a lot of top-flight talent in the Strikeforce organization, his next opponent will be just as good.

“With so many top guys, my next opponent isn’t up to me,” Prangley said. “I do know I’ll be fighting a top-level guy. It just all depends on what Strikeforce is going to want from me.”

JESS MAGNUS trains with Prangley at the Iron Lion, and also books fights for other up-and-coming fighters from the gym.

“It’s going to be a huge fight,” Magnus said. “Gracie’s the most accomplished fighter at that level. He’s a big, strong guy. It will definitely be a big challenge.”

Prangley has spent the past five weeks training at the American Kickboxing Academy, a place that has trained MMA fighters like current UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

“I think it’s going to be a good fight,” Prangley said. “It should be a real technical fight. It will be a strategic, but exciting fight. There’s going to come a point when desperation sets in and somebody is going to have to make a move.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via e-mail at jelliott@cdapress.com.