ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers II Results & Recap
The second edition of the Strikeforce Challengers Series came and went Friday, June 19th from Kent, Washington at the ShoWare Center. The main attraction didn’t disappoint as “Smokin” Joey Villasenor made a claim for his name to be included in the conversation for the middleweight title picture with a tight unanimous decision victory over Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos.
The undercard also featured entertaining fights including UFC castoff Jorge Gurgel, going back-and-forth before finally earning the decision win over a game Conor Heun. Also on the main card, Luke Rockhold continued his rise to relevance with another submission victory over Cory Devela.
In women’s action, Sarah Kaufman continued her undefeated streak with her tenth straight win against Shayna Baszler, who took Kaufman to a decision for only the second time in her career.
Check out the fight card for the next Strikeforce event, Strikeforce Carano vs Cyborg, which takes place on August 15, 2009.
For the full results from the Strikeforce Challengers II event, click or scroll to the bottom of the page and check out the results of the September 25 Strikeforce Challengers 3 event!.
Here is a summary of the main card bouts:
Cory Devela vs. Luke Rockhold
This middleweight division fight didn’t live up to its high expectations. Instead, American Kickboxing Academy pupil, Luke Rockhold stopped Cory Devela only 30-seconds into the match with a hard right hand.
Both fighters entered this main card bout with lofty expectations but only Rockhold left with his credibility intact. Rockhold aggressively dropped Devela with a straight right hand then followed with several unanswered hammer fists. The referee allowed the fight to continue which resulted in Rockhold securing an easy fight-ending rear naked choke.
Rockhold (5-1) has won four in a row and should receive an upgrade in competition for his next fight. Devela (9-3) has now lost two consecutive bouts after winning seven straight from May 2006 – April 2008.
Official Decision: Rockhold over Devela – 1st round submission (0:30)
Sarah Kaufman vs. Shayna Baszler
The 135-lb women’s division featured knockout artist – Sarah Kaufman against submission specialist – Shayna Baszler. Kaufman was taken the distance for only the second time in her ten career fights but earned the unanimous decision regardless.
Baszler more than held her own against the powerful Kaufman, taking her down less than a minute into the 1st. While on the ground, the two women changed position numerous times until the action came to a standstill and was stood back up. The 1st round finished with both fighters in the clinch and at a standstill.
The second round began where the 1st round left off, with the women in the clinch. Kaufman gradually began to take over in the striking department, repeatedly making Baszler retreat. Surprisingly Baszler didn’t try and take the fight to the ground at all in the second frame, instead settling for the wrong end of a striking battle.
If there was any doubt as to who the winner was Kaufman erased those doubts in the 3rd round. “The Queen of Spades” Shayna Baszler shot for a takedown but failed and found herself on bottom of Kaufman. She didn’t keep the dominant position long as Baszler escaped back to her feet. An extremely fatigued Baszler tried one last attempt for a kneebar with under a minute remaining. Kaufman stuffed the attempt and worked some body shots to finish the final round.
Kaufman (10-0) continued her excellence as a striker along with demonstrating her improved stamina by grinding out the decision win. She has now appeared on both Strikeforce Challengers cards, earning decision wins each time. Baszler (9-6) falls short for the second straight fight, losing her first career fight by way of decision.
Official Decision: Kaufman over Baszler – unanimous decision
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Jorge Gurgel vs. Conor Heun
Jorge Gurgel and Conor Heun put on an entertaining stand-up battle with Gurgel getting the better, winning a unanimous decision in his debut with the Strikeforce organization.
The first round was mostly Gurgel, as he used his arsenal of low kicks, accurate punches and quick feet to grab the early advantage. Gurgel was able to put his 30 year-old opponent to the ground with a punch but allowed him to return to his feet shortly afterwards. Heun did manage to come back late in the round with a couple of body shots, a nice low kick and solid right hand punches to end the round.
The second round was a back-and-forth affair beginning with Gurgel using his quick hands to connect on several sharp punches. Heun held Gurgel in a Thai clinch long enough to catch his breath then delivered some solid strikes of his own. Gurgel returned the favor by rocking Heun with straight right punches. The exchanges continued with Heun setting up a takedown by connecting with his right hook.
The final round saw Heun turn some of the momentum in his direction by rocking Gurgel with a series of punches. When the two fighters hit the ground Gurgel found himself on top of Heun. Heun began to work the rubber guard to defend against Gurgel. The fight eventually returned to the feet where Gurgel sealed the win with a late flurry of punches.
The final decision was 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 all for Jorge Gurgel (13-5), who snapped a two-fight losing streak by defeating Heun. The Eddie Bravo trained - Heun (8-3) lost his first fight in almost two years after putting together three wins in a row.
Official Decision: Gurgel over Heun – unanimous decision
Nick Thompson vs. Tim Kennedy
Tim Kennedy surprised Nick “The Goat” Thompson with his superior grappling skills then finished him with strikes midway through the second round to earn a win in his Strikeforce debut.
The beginning of the fight surprised many, as it was believed that Kennedy would be overwhelmed on the ground by the submission specialist, instead he was the aggressor on the ground. He immediately found himself taking the back of Thompson then transitioning on top. He couldn’t keep the position and found himself defending against a kimura then an armlock. Kennedy was able to escape long enough to take the back of Thompson once again. This sequence continued two more times as the two middleweights took turns in the dominant position. The fast-paced first round ended with Kennedy finishing on top of Thompson, peppering him with some light punches.
After his successful first round, Kennedy took the fight to the ground and into side mount. In side mount Kennedy delivered damage by kneeing Thompson several times to the body. Thompson struggling for position gave up his back, in turn Kennedy connected on several heavy right hands to the head. Although the punches were close to the back of the head, it was ruled that Thompson turned into the punches. Kennedy forced the tapout at the 2:37 mark in the second round.
Tim Kennedy (10-2), who just returned from an eighteen month tour in Afghanistan, has won two straight fights. His dominance over Thompson should allow him to make a significant jump up in competition. Thompson (38-11-1) had his two-fight win streak stopped. The loss is only his second in his last sixteen fights spanning over the last three years.
Official Decision: Kennedy over Thompson – 2nd round Submission (2:37)
Joey Villasenor vs. Evangelista Santos
The main event featured “Smokin” Joe Villasenor, from Greg Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy, against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos from the legendary Chute Boxe. The fight was a stand-up battle that was even throughout the fight. Villasenor was able to convince the judges with a late series of unanswered strikes, to award him the decision victory.
Cyborg began the fight as the aggressor with some heavy low leg kicks. Villasenor acted by taking Cyborg to the mat and into half-guard. He transitioned into side control to deliver knees until Cyborg powered his way back up to a standing position. To end the round Cyborg connected on a couple of more low leg kicks causing Villasenor to swing wildly, missing each time.
The second round began with both fighters trading low kicks then trading punches to the body. This exchanges continued throughout the entire round, as Cyborg’s low leg kicks were taking a toll on “Smokin” Joe. Villasenor fought back and delivered some violent strikes to end the second frame.
The final round continued with Cyborg continuing the trend of low leg kicks followed by a takedown from Villasenor. The fight quickly returned to a standing position with both fighters beginning to show major signs of fatigue. Villasenor took control of the back-and-forth fight with a late series of unanswered jabs and hooks. He also added in some leg kicks that were not countered. With barely any energy remaining both fighters swung wildly for the last thirty seconds putting an end to an entertaining bout.
The win gives Villasenor (27-6) a solid four-fight win streak and more importantly consideration for the 185 lb title. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (16-13) drops his second in a row and fourth out of his last five. He will need a win quick to stay relevant with Strikeforce or any other organization, for that matter.
By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Photos used with permission from Strikeforce
Main Strikeforce Challengers II Bouts:
- Joey Villasenor defeats Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
- Tim Kennedy defeats Nick “The Goat” Thompson via Submission (Strikes) - Round 2 @ 2:37
- Jorge Gurgel defeats Conor "Hurricane" Heun by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Sarah Kaufman defeats Shayna Baszler by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Luke Rockhold defeats Cory Devela via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 1 @ 0:30
Preliminary Strikeforce Challengers II Bouts:
- Dennis "Superman" Hallman defeats Justin Davis via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 1 @ 0:20
- Brian Caraway defeats Alex Zuniga by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Lyle Beerbohm defeats Duane Ludwig via Submission (Schoolyard Choke) - Round 1 @ 4:27
- Landon "The Show" Showalter defeats George Stork by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Len Bentley defeats Marques Daniels by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Steve Hadsel defeats Taylor Roberts by KO (Punches) - Round 1 @ 0:20