Strikeforce came to the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio tonight with a double bill of title fights at Strikeforce: “Feijao vs Henderson.” The event was headlined by a Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship bout between champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Dan “Hendo” Henderson.

In the co-main event, Dutch submission specialist Marloes “Rumina” Coenen put her Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Championship on the line when she faced unbeaten late replacement opponent Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the night’s main card.

 

Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship

Dan “Hendo” Henderson vs Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante

Round 1:
The fighters circled cautiously for the opening minute as Cavalcante landed occasional leg kicks. Henderson scored with a right hook that backed Cavalcante up, but Cavalcante floored Henderson with an overhand right in return. He dove in with more punches, but Henderson quickly recovered and got to his feet. He took Cavalcante down and settled into his guard.

Little transpired for over a minute and the fighters were stood up. Henderson pushed forward with a three-punch flurry and clinched against the cage. He landed a knee and both fighters threw punches to the body. Knees were exchanged and the fighters were eventually separated. The round came to a close soon after. 10-9 Cavalcante.

Round 2:
Hard punches were exchanged in the second round and Henderson clinched against the cage. A stalemate followed as the fighters battled for position. Henderson tried for a takedown and landed a right hook. Cavalcante attempted a takedown of his own, but Henderson wound up on top. He moved to side-control, but Cavalcante grabbed Henderson’s leg and used it to sweep.

Cavalcante threw weak punches to the body until the referee stood the fighters up. Cavalcante attempted a head kick, but missed. Henderson responded with two Superman Punched and a leg kick. He took Cavalcante down and landed in Cavalcante’s half-guard. Henderson threw short elbows to the body until the end of the round. 10-9 Henderson.

Round 3:
Henderson scored with a flurry of punches in the third round, but Cavalcante backed up and clinched. Henderson separated and Cavalcante landed a one-two. Henderson answered with a massive right hook that clipped Cavalcante and sent him face-first to the canvas. Henderson followed up with more punches and the fight was waved off. Big win for Henderson, who captures the Strikeforce title.

Winner: Dan Henderson by KO (Punches) at 0:50 of round three. He improves to 27-8-0 and becomes the new Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.

 

Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Championship

Marloes “Rumina” Coenen vs Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche

Round 1:
Carmouche landed leg kicks early on, but Coenen countered with a hard right hand. Another right cross scored for Coenen and she followed with leg and head kicks. Carmouche circled and avoided most of Coenen’s punches, but Coenen snuck in another right hand. Coenen blocked a right hook from Carmouche and fired back with two hooks of her own and a leg kick.

Carmouche clinched and backed Coenen up to the cage. Coenen’s right eye began to swell badly from a strike seconds earlier. Both fighters landed knees to the body until the referee separated them for no reason. Coenen flashed out a head kick and Carmouche answered with a trio of one-two combos. Coenen landed a front kick and a right hook at the bell. 10-9 Coenen.

Round 2:
Carmouche pushed forward with a combination in round two and backed Coenen up to the fence. Coenen landed a nice knee to the body and looked to set up a guillotine choke as Carmouche tried for a takedown. Coenen locked on a tight standing guillotine and pulled guard, but Carmouche escaped. Carmouche threw knees to the thigh from the top and Coenen postured for an armbar. Carmouche stood out and rained down two big right hands. She moved to side-control and then to North-South.

Carmouche landed knees to the shoulder as Coenen looked to sweep. Coenen nearly scrambled to Carmouche’s back, but Carmouche stayed on top. Coenen attempted a heel hook and Carmouche used the opportunity to move to mount. She threw punches from the top, but Coenen blocked most of them. Carmouche continued to pepper Coenen with short punches, then postured up and landed more damaging strikes until the bell. Dominant 10-9 Carmouche, if not 10-8.

Round 3:
As in the second round, Carmouche closed the distance in round three and resumed clinching against the cage. Carmouche landed short knees and Coenen answered with an elbow over the top. The fighters battled for position with strikes in close until Carmouche scored a takedown. She landed in side-control again and moved to mount.

Carmouche resumed her assault from round two with punches and tried to pin down Coenen’s arms. Coenen blocked many of the punches, but some slipped through and Coenen tried to roll to her side. Carmouche looked for a keylock, then returned to punches. More and more punches landed for Carmouche and Coenen seemed to have no answer. Carmouche punched furiously until the round came to a close. 10-8 Carmouche.

Round 4:
Carmouche looked for an early takedown in the fourth round, but Coenen reversed and wound up on top. Carmouche countered with a triangle choke attempt, then kicked Coenen off and stood up. She took Coenen down, but this time Coenen locked on the triangle. Carmouche gamely attempted to escape, but could not and was forced to submit. Huge comeback win for the champion.

Winner: Marloes Coenen by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 1:29 of round four. She improves to 19-4-0 and remains the Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion.

 

Tim Kennedy vs Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef

Round 1:
The fighters exchanged kicks and Kennedy shot in for an early takedown. Manhoef defended and stepped out of it. He backed away and Kennedy stood. Kennedy attempted another takedown and Manhoef stuffed it. He caught a kick from Kennedy and fired off two right hands. Manhoef scored with two vicious kicks to Kennedy’s lead leg. He defended another takedown, but Kennedy secured partial back control.

Kennedy managed to drag Manhoef to the mat and landed in side-control. He moved straight to mount, then took Manhoef’s back. Manhoef rolled over and ate punches along the way. Kennedy worked for a rear-naked choke and got it. Manhoef briefly held on, but was forced to submit.

Winner: Tim Kennedy by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:41 of round one. He improves to 13-3-0.

 

Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal vs Billy Evangelista

Round 1:
Evangelista looked to put together quick punching combinations early in the fight as Masvidal circled away. Masvidal caught a kick and knocked Evangelista down, but Evangelista immediately returned to his feet. The fighters exchanged knees to the body in a clinch. Masvidal landed a knee to the jaw of Evangelista, who backed away. Masvidal scored with punches and a knee to the body, and Evangelista took him down again.

Masvidal looked for a guillotine choke from the bottom against the cage. He stood up and Evangelista nailed him with a standing elbow over the top. Both fighters continued to land knees and Masvidal caught another kick. Evangelista stepped out and tried unsuccessfully for a takedown. He landed a one-two and a leg kick, and Masvidal responded with punches to the head and body. 10-9 Masvidal.

Round 2:
Both fighters landed punches early in the second round and Evangelista looked for a takedown. Masvidal defended and landed knees to the body. He caught a kick from Evangelista and tripped him to the mat. Evangelista got back to his feet and scored with a nice three-punch combination.

Masvidal answered with jabs and continued to control the striking exchanges. He landed a combination and sprawled out of a takedown. He looked briefly for a front choke, then stood and pressed Evangelista up against the cage. Masvidal landed a knee and a right hook. He seemed to begin to showboat and Evangelista landed a punch-kick combination. 10-9 Masvidal.

Round 3:
The pace slowed somewhat in the final round as the fighters traded single punches. Time was briefly called after a kick from Evangelista strayed low. Action resumed and he attempted a takedown. Masvidal stayed on his feet and landed a hard elbow, then backed away. A big overhand right stunned Evangelista, but he recovered and swung wildly with counterpunches. Masvidal ducked under and connected with an uppercut.

Masvidal clinched and put Evangelista up against the cage. Evangelista broke free and the fans began to boo. Evangelista landed a lead left hook and Masvidal continued to taunt. He landed jab after jab and sidestepped Evangelista’s punches. Evangelista finally managed to put together a solid combination of punches, but Masvidal held strong and responded with punches of his own. The round ended with an exchange of knees. 10-9 Masvidal.

Winner: Jorge Masvidal by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 21-6-0.

 

Undercard Fights:

“Relentless” Roger Bowling defeated Josh Thornburg by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 9-1-0 with the win.

Jorge “J.G.” Gurgel defeated Billy Vaughan by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 0:44 of round one. He improves to 14-7-0 with the win.

Jay “Charlie Manson III” Freeman defeated Jason “The Juggernaut” Riley by Submission (Punches) at 1:52 of round one. He improves to 6-4-0, 1 NC with the win.

Brian “The Predator” Rogers defeated Ian Rammel by TKO (Punches) at 4:23 of round one. He improves to 7-2-0 with the win.

Mitch Whitesel defeated Marc Cofer by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 3:55 of round one. He improves to 16-20-0, 1 NC with the win.

John Kuhner defeated John “J.P.” Felty by Technical Submission (Triangle Choke) at 4:31 of round two. He improves to 1-2-0 with the win.

 

 

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)