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Strikeforce Challengers: 'Evangelista vs Gurgel' recap and post-fight discussion

Strikeforce's weekend of mixed martial arts action is officially halfway over as "Challenger Series IV" is now in the books from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Former UFC lightweight fighter and jiu-jitsu stud Jorge Gurgel squared off against hometown favorite Billy Evangelista in the night's main event, and as expected it was an all out war.

Gurgel is known for abandoning his ground game in favor of a more entertaining stand up fight, which usually means a good scrap for the fans and a close loss on the scorecards for him, which is exactly what happened again tonight.

Evangelista traded blow for blow with the Cincinnati resident and used timely takedowns to squeak out a judge's decision.

Afterward, the undefeated hometown winner was asked how he felt about a potential match up with Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson, and he surprisingly didn't seem too warm on the idea, stating that he and Josh were friends but he would do whatever Strikeforce wanted.

We'll have to wait and see how the Strikeforce brass handles that scenario, but a Josh Thomson vs. Billy Evangelista title fight certainly sounds like it would be a fun one to watch.

Star-divide

In the night's co-main event, heavyweight Shane Del Rosario overcame an early knockdown by Brandon Cash "Money" to come back and win by submission (omoplata). At one point the onslaught from Cash appeared to be swaying the referee to step in for the stoppage, but Del Rosario hung in there and recovered nicely for the win.

He'll certainly be a player in the crowded Strikeforce heavyweight division moving forward.

"Ultimate Fighter" castoff Jesse Taylor made his second appearance on a Strikeforce card in 2009, and for the second time he came up on the losing end. Luke Rockhold -- a very talented wrestler and jiu-jitsu practitioner -- fended off a powerful wrestling attack from "JT Money," who came out of the gates looking for the takedown. Rockhold eventually worked his way into a dominate position and finished Taylor off with his patented rear naked choke, his fourth in a row.

Merritt Warren and Zoila Frausto were also winners on the Showtime televised portion of the card, defeating Ousmane Thomas Diagne and Elisha Hellspur by first round heel hook and unanimous decision, respectively.

To check out the complete results from Strikeforce: "Challenger Series IV" click here.

That's a wrap from the Save Mart Center in Fresno.

The fifth installment of the "Challenger Series" is slated for November 20 at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. That card is set to feature a main event between undefeated two-time All-American wrestler from the University of Missouri, Tyron "T-Wood" Woodley and Kansas City's own Rudy Bears. The female version of the main event from UFC 105 is also scheduled for the card as Kim "Sugar Free" Couture squares off with Kerry Vera.

Keep it locked to MMAmania.com for all your Strikeforce news and notes. And don't forget to check in early and often tomorrow night for the blockbuster "Fedor vs. Rogers" coverage as well.

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Billy was running and i had George winning that one!!!!

by Gotta Luv haters on Nov 7, 2009 1:54 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I was on the other side, but hey that was one sweet event.

by markie on Nov 7, 2009 2:19 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Gurgel got skrewed in this fight… you can even hear between rounds someone saying, "hey judges, we’re in this kids hometown" wow! pathetic job by strikeforce, WAY too many bad standups, hopefully tmrw night is better, but everytime i watch strikeforce it reminds me why UFC is king!!!

by ---Caesar--- on Nov 7, 2009 2:30 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Really? 29-28 at worst for billy but 30-27 if you give him that 2nd rd since he did more damage and crisper work than that one half knockdown. Wildly missing every punch shouldn’t win you rds IMO. His takedowns and work from top were better than wiggling around at the bottom while solidly holding full guard.

by NameNotRequired on Nov 7, 2009 6:26 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Because the UFC never has terrible calls….

by Bill Maher on Nov 7, 2009 8:02 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

he’s also confused as to who provides the officiating… lol

by quidnunc on Nov 7, 2009 8:05 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Iannoti: Billy vs Josh would be a good scrap, but not a big enoug fight to contest a title over…especialy when guys like Alvarez, JZ,Aoki,Helboy,Kawajiri and all the other LW studs from DREAM are making their way over to the S cage.

I really want to see JOsh fight:
Alvarez
Aoki
Kawajiri

Those 3 fights would be amazing

by john G on Nov 7, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

“he’s also confused as to who provides the officiating… lol”

Apparently so is Bill Maher.

by prokstar on Nov 7, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree John, those three fights would be sweet. I’m not sure which one I’d want to see more, they all have their own appeal. It didn’t sound like Evangelista wanted anything to do with a fight against Thomson anyway…kind of surprised me a little bit.

by James Iannotti on Nov 7, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

No reason for them to be talking about Billy and Josh, atm Josh is just way to good for him maybe in another 2-3fights.

by Khaos_Warrior on Nov 7, 2009 2:56 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

WHO CARES !!!

by Cmac on Nov 7, 2009 2:58 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

word is born.

by hardcase on Nov 7, 2009 4:27 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

billy is the shit’…….small town life’’’’big city hunger

by sober'mck on Nov 7, 2009 5:20 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Like I said before, I can’t remember Gurgel beating anyone. Ever!

by mikehunt on Nov 7, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Gurgel is fairly not smart. He loses every fight tryig to standup and brawl. Dude news flash for you “youve already been turfed from one promotion for fighting stupid”, quickley pull your head out of your ass before you are gone again. If you want to fight and win and make money you best starting falling back on your Jits. I couldnt stand george on TUF and still cant!!!!!

by Spyder on Nov 7, 2009 10:06 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I dunno, I’m starting to believe Gurgel’s jitz is a myth. Like clean, wholesome women. I mean I’ve seen him planted on his back in many fights, and he never does anything down there. Like clean, wholesome women.

by just some dong on Nov 7, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I’ve been thinking the same thing forever. I didn’t want to say it and have everyone all over me. I haven’t seen anything from him that I was impressed with, ever.

by jay on Nov 7, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Let Gurgel use his Jits and still get submitted like he did against Cole Miller. Something tells me had he taken Billy to the ground he would have gotten submitted he’s really not that good.

by butters on Nov 7, 2009 7:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

if he would have did some takedows gurgel would have won

by bryant on Nov 7, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions   0 recs


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