Strikeforce invaded Fresno, California for the fourth edition of their successful Challengers Series, which was headlined by an exciting lightweight battle between still-undefeated Billy Evangelista and former UFC star Jorge “J.G.” Gurgel. Elsewhere, Strikeforce veteran Luke Rockhold submitted TUF alum Jesse “JT Money” Taylor in welterweight action.
MMARising.com is in Fresno and has live play-by-play of the event as it happened, including Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto’s impressive victory over Elisha “Knuckles” Helsper.
Billy Evangelista vs Jorge “J.G.” Gurgel
Round 1:
The fighters circled each other early on and exchanged quick leg kicks and single punches. Evangelista landed a right cross and Gurgel answered with a quick one-two. Evangelista scored with a hard leg kick and tried for a head kick. Gurgel continued to block head kicks from Evangelista and both fighters landed quick combinations.
Evangelista landed a one-two and a right cross counter, but Gurgel replied with a stiff leg kick. Evangelista landed a leg kick of his own and both missed with flurries. Evangelista scored a takedown very late in the round and managed to land a few punches before the bell. 10-9 Evangelista.
Round 2:
Gurgel began round two more aggressively and pushed forward with kicks and a three-punch combination. Evangelista countered with strikes of his own and both landed in an exchange. Gurgel tagged Evangelista with four punches and rocked his head back with a right hook. Evangelista fired back with punches and a knee. Both fighters landed punches and kicks as the pace increased.
Gurgel backed Evangelista up with a solid combination, but Evangelista took him down. Evangelista moved to half-guard and Gurgel worked back to guard. He tried to get to his feet, but Evangelista kept him on the mat. Gurgel looked for a Kimura from the bottom, but gave it up and ate a series of short punches from Evangelista. The referee stood the fighters up and Gurgel dropped Evangelista with a head kick. Evangelista recovered and tried to take Gurgel down, but found himself trapped in a tight guillotine choke. Evangelista escaped just before the bell. 10-9 Evangelista.
Round 3:
Evangelista landed a nice flurry of counterpunches early in the final round and both fighters landed big right hooks at the same time. Big punches were exchanged and Gurgel remained the aggressor. Right hooks landed for both and they followed with duelling combinations.
Gurgel pressed forward with two head kicks and a one-two, but Evangelista was unfazed. A clinch followed and Gurgel scored a very brief takedown. Gurgel stalked Evangelista around the cage and connected with quick punches. Evangelista caught a kick and pushed Gurgel to the mat, but Gurgel prevented him from doing anything. 10-9 Gurgel.
Winner: Billy Evangelista by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 10-0-0, 1 ND.
Shane del Rosario vs Brandon Cash “Money”
Round 1:
Cash dropped del Rosario with a huge right hand just seconds into the bout and unleashed with more punches, but del Rosario somehow barely survived. He stood up and Cash slammed him to the ground. Cash teed off with more punches and passed to side-control. Del Rosario regained half-guard and worked back to his feet, but was quickly taken down again.
From his back, del Rosario locked on a triangle choke, but Cash muscled out. Del Rosario tried for an armbar and Cash stood up, then dove in with a big right hook. Del Rosario immediately trapped Cash in an omoplata shoulder lock and rolled through. In a shocking turn of events, Cash tapped out, giving del Rosario one of the first ever successful wins via omoplata. Extremely impressive comeback.
Winner: Shane del Rosario by Submission (Omoplata) at 2:57 of round one. He improves to 9-0-0.
Luke Rockhold vs Jesse “JT Money” Taylor
Round 1:
Rockhold opened the fight with a side kick to the face and Taylor immediately shot for a takedown. Rockhold stuffed it, but Taylor relentlessly pursued the takedown and briefly got Rockhold down. Rockhold stood up and Taylor took him down again. Rockhold attempted a triangle choke and Taylor spun free and took his back.
The fight returned to the feet and Taylor dragged Rockhold down again. He tried for another choke and Rockhold reversed position. He took Taylor’s back and looked for a rear naked choke of his own. Rockhold secured a body lock to prevent Taylor from moving, then locked on the choke and Taylor was soon forced to submit. Huge victory for Rockhold.
Winner: Luke Rockhold by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:42 of round one. He improves to 6-1-0.