ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers 4 Results - November 6, 2009
The fourth edition of the Strikeforce Challengers Series took place on November 6, 2009 in Fresno, California, on Showtime. Find the results for Strikeforce Challengers 4 below as undefeated Billy Evangelista squared off with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Jorge Gurgel in the main event. Find all of the historic Strikeforce results as well as our most recent Strikeforce Challengers predictions here at ProFighting-fans.com.
Billy Evangelista vs. Jorge Gurgel
Fresno native, Billy Evangelista (10-0) maintains his undefeated fight resume with a well-planned victory against former “TUF” and UFC lightweight, Jorge Gurgel (13-6), in the main event of the Strikeforce Challengers newest edition.
It was a fight that saw momentum shifts back-and-forth a number of different times throughout all three rounds. Evangelista more than likely took control of rounds after converting on several takedown attempts. The closest that the fight was to being stopped was late in the 2 nd round when Gurgel had a tight guillotine choke almost locked before Evangelista scrambled out.
With the victory, Evangelista moves even closer to a possible championship bout for the 155 pound belt. Where many believe Evangelista is ready for that title opportunity, he is in no hurry saying after his fight, “Whatever’s next for me, I’ll take it as it comes.”
Gurgel, on the other hand, fought with his usual tough-as-nails style, but again came up short when the decision was handed out. This loss was his fourth out of his last six bouts, which includes a 1-1 Strikeforce record. Evangelista improves to 6-0 under the Strikeforce banner. Some also believe that he has graduated from the Challengers series to possibly a main card on a Showtime or even CBS produced show. Nevertheless, his future looks very bright.
Shane Del Rosario vs. Brandon Cash
In the night’s co-main event, underappreciated heavyweight Shane Del Rosario (9-0) was able to weather a flurry of heavy strikes from Brandon Cash “Money” (5-1) to come-from-behind and secure an omoplata submission victory.
Cash landed a heavy right hand that sent Del Rosario crashing to the floor. From that point Cash followed up with a series of punches from standing position, bringing the referee to appear as if he was about ready to step in and stop the bout. Del Rosario was able to survive the punishment, get the fight to the ground and convert on the omoplata submission.
Del Rosario establishes himself as a legitimate threat in the crowding Strikeforce heavyweight division with his ninth straight victory. He also may find himself appearing on a Showtime card in the very near future. Cash drops the first bout in six career bouts.
Jesse Taylor vs. Luke Rockhold
One of the brightest Strikeforce prospects, Luke Rockhold (6-1) was able to survive a heavy dose of wrestling from former “TUF” reject, Jesse Taylor (13-5), and work to a dominate position for his trademark fight-ending rear naked choke.
Taylor tried to take control early on by getting the fight to the ground but Rockhold, an AKA fighter, was able to return the fight to a standing position each time “JT Money” earned the control. Taylor, the more experienced of the two prospects, made the first and last big mistake of the fight. After trying to take control of Rockhold’s back, he was bucked off and worse yet, had his back taken control of by a slick moving Rockhold. Taylor rolled around on the ground attempting to shake Rockhold off, however it didn’t work and instead Taylor was forced to tap after Rockhold slipped his forearm underneath his chin.
Rockhold is victorious for the fifth straight time, all coming within the Strikeforce cage. He is steadily working his way up into a main card position on one of the Showtime events. Taylor has tasted defeat in two straight bouts after putting together a nice seven fight win streak after being let go by the UFC.
Merritt Warren vs. Ousmane Thomas Diagne
After a period of inactivity lasting over a year, California-based Merritt Warren (3-3) pulled off the rarely seen inverted heel-hook submission against Cung Le trained Ousmane Thomas Diagne (1-1) during the 1 st round of their 155-pound match-up.
Diagne, an accomplished striker, decided to take Warren to the ground via double-leg takedown. A grounded Warren was able to maneuver enough to grab a leg and secure the heel hook submission when Diagne tapped at the 3:49 mark.
Diagne can chalk the loss up to inexperience fighting in only his second career bout. He won a tough decision over Hawaiian Kaleo Kwan at the first Strikeforce Challengers series in May. Warren stopped a two-fight skid with his third submission victory in his 3 ½ year career. The Hook n Shoot veteran was making his debut inside the Strikeforce cage.
Elisha Hellspur vs. Zoila Frausto
In a fairly balanced strikers duel, Team Buhawe’s Zoila “Warrior Princess” Frausto (4-0) kept her unbeaten record intact with a unanimous decision victory over Lion’s Den fighter, Elisha “Knuckles” Hellspur (0-2).
Frausto was more consistent when landing kicks, knees, and punches to her 26 year-old opponent. Hellspur looked confused for much of the three round affair, although she did connect on her share of strikes as well.
Frausto has now been successful in all four of her bouts this year. She has gone the distance in each of her bouts, winning all four via decision. Hellspur, making her Strikeforce debut, has dropped both of her professional bouts after posting an undefeated 6-0 record as an amateur.
By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer
Results from Main Strikeforce Challengers 4 November 6 Fights:
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Billy Evangelista defeats Jorge Gurgel by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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Shane Del Rosario defeats Brandon Cash "Money" via Submission (Omoplata) - Round 1 @ 2:57
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Luke Rockhold defeats Jesse Taylor via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 1 @ 3:42
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Merrit Warren defeats Thomas Diagne via Submission (Heel Hook) - Round 1 @ 3:49
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Zoila Frausto defeats Elisha Hellspur by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Strikeforce Challengers 4 Fight Results:
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Ben Holscher defeats Johnny Goh by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Casey "The Underdog" Olson defeats Chris Culley by TKO (Strikes) - Round 1 @ 2:32
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Cole Escovedo defeats Maurice Eazel by TKO (Strikes) - Round 1 @ 1:47
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Rico Altamirano defeats Alex Trevino via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)