Jorge Gurgel vs Billy Evangelista Strikeforce Challenger Series main event rebooked for Nov. 6

by Jesse Holland on Sep 11, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

Strikeforce announced today that its Oct. 25 "Challenger Series" main event between Jorge Gurgel and American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) standout Billy Evangelista has been rescheduled for Nov. 6 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Gurgel scored a unanimous decision win over Conor Heun in his debut for the promotion last June. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt once again abandoned his ground game in favor of an all out slugfest.

This time, however, unlike in his UFC career, Gurgel had his hand raised after the three-round war, which Showtime commentator Mauro Ranallo classified as "a fight for the ages at 160 pounds."

The seven-fight Octagon veteran and former The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 contestant snapped a two-fight losing skid with the performance and will look to string together consecutive wins for the first time since 2007.

Evangelista lost for the first time in his career to Mike Aina back in May. He was accused of "intentionally" (and illegally) kneeing the Hawaiian fighter in the head while he was down in the second round. "Iron" said he was hurt and unable to continue, which forced referee to call a stop to the action on the recommendation of the cageside doctor.

Evangelista appealed the loss after video footage appeared to indicate that his errant blows landed on Aina’s shoulder area and the ruling was eventually changed to a "No Contest" (NC) by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

Strikeforce Challenger Series serves as a proving ground to promote up-and-coming (and lesser known) fighters. The events are similar to what Elite XC used to promote with its SHO XC: "Challenger Series" on Showtime.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on the Nov. 6 fight card as it becomes official.

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Comments

The most fascinating thing about this piece, to me at least, is that there’s a Save Mart Center. But then again, it is in Fresno.

by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Sep 11, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

MEXICUTIONER + OJR = DIRTY MEXICANS

by John G on Sep 11, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Without Mexican’s, who would there be to smack the Italian’s around?
Remember what the Mexicans did to the Italian boss’s son in “American Me”?

by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Sep 11, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

i only let fedor do me

by John G on Sep 11, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Strikefarce is a joke, that has to be the weakest main event I have ever seen!!

by mmafreak on Sep 11, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

I Disagree, Billy has a nice undefeated record going and Jorge is always interesting (and frustrating) to watch. Should be a fun night of MMA Action watch Strikeforce then Sengoku 11, back2back.

by markie on Sep 11, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

This isn’t a Strikeforce show, the Challenger series is for the smaller and lesser known guys to compete in. I think it’s a great idea, it gives young fighters a chance to prove themselves on proper shows without being stuck in the prelims. I’m far from a Gurgel fan as he fights like an idiot but he will be a good test for Evangelista.

by David W-S (the only respectable poster named David) on Sep 11, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

This is StrikeForce Chalenger Series. It says right in the article that this is a series for up and coming fighters. It s just a platform for Strike Force to use; to develop fighters, get them used to bigger shows, and get them a fan base. This is a great idea imo. This way we get to see fighters who normaly would never be seen and they do not take up a slot on a big money promotion, and it gives us some more free mma every other month or so.

by Da Monkey on Sep 12, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions