Strikeforce: Evolution
Encyclopedia
Strikeforce: Evolution was a mixed martial arts
event to be held by the Strikeforce
on December 19, 2009 in San Jose, California
at the HP Pavilion at San Jose. The event aired live on Showtime in the US, and live on SuperChannel in Canada.
was expected to face Benji Radach
on the card, however Radach was not able to get medical clearance to start training in time for the fight. Radach was replaced by Trevor Prangley
; however, Prangley suffered a knee injury while training for the bout and had to withdraw from the fight as well. On December 16th, it was announced that Lawler would not be competing on the card as a suitable replacement could not be found on such short notice.
Strikeforce newcomer Bryan Travers
was expected to fight Daisuke Nakamura
but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. Justin Wilcox
took his place on the fight card.
The Bobby Stack vs. David Douglas
bout was cancelled. Douglas, who took the fight on a week's notice, reportedly had difficulty with his weight cut and was hospitalized after having issues holding fluids down.
The event drew an estimated 341,000 viewers on Showtime.
. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by Strikeforce.
^ Muhammed Lawal was reportedly fined 10 percent of his purse for splashing a sponsors energy drink
around the cage. The CSAC's initial report did not include information on the penalty.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
event to be held by the Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
on December 19, 2009 in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
at the HP Pavilion at San Jose. The event aired live on Showtime in the US, and live on SuperChannel in Canada.
Background
Robbie LawlerRobbie Lawler
Robert Glen "Robbie" Lawler is an American mixed martial artist Lawler was the EliteXC middleweight champion before EliteXC filed for bankruptcy. Lawler has recently signed with Strikeforce. He is a member of Team Hughes fighting out of H.I.T...
was expected to face Benji Radach
Benji Radach
Benji Russell Radach is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He is a former member of the Los Angeles Anacondas of the International Fight League.-Biography:...
on the card, however Radach was not able to get medical clearance to start training in time for the fight. Radach was replaced by Trevor Prangley
Trevor Prangley
Trevor Prangley is a South African mixed martial artist who currently fights for Strikeforce. He has previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and competes in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions...
; however, Prangley suffered a knee injury while training for the bout and had to withdraw from the fight as well. On December 16th, it was announced that Lawler would not be competing on the card as a suitable replacement could not be found on such short notice.
Strikeforce newcomer Bryan Travers
Bryan Travers
Bryan Travers is an American mixed martial artist, one of those unique men who fought in five weight classes .- Background and training :...
was expected to fight Daisuke Nakamura
Daisuke Nakamura (fighter)
Daisuke Nakamura is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist who has fought for DREAM, Strikeforce, M-1 Global, DEEP, ZST, Cage Rage, PRIDE, K-1 and Cage Force promotions. He holds notable victories over Nigerian K-1 kickboxer Andy Ologun and won his mixed martial arts debut against veteran...
but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. Justin Wilcox
Justin Wilcox
.Justin Wilcox is an American mixed martial artist from San Jose, California.He is a former professional bodybuilder and a former NCAA Division I wrestler who first began competing as a welterweight...
took his place on the fight card.
The Bobby Stack vs. David Douglas
David Douglas (fighter)
David Douglas is an American professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the lightweight division and is currently signed with Strikeforce.-MMA Career:...
bout was cancelled. Douglas, who took the fight on a week's notice, reportedly had difficulty with his weight cut and was hospitalized after having issues holding fluids down.
The event drew an estimated 341,000 viewers on Showtime.
Main Card
- Middleweight bout:
Cung LeCung LeCung Le is a Vietnamese-American Sanshou kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and actor from Saigon, Vietnam currently competing in the UFC. He is the former IKF Light Heavyweight San Shou World Champion and has a professional San Shou record of 16-0 before moving to mixed martial arts...
vs.
Scott SmithScott Smith (fighter)Bryan Scott Smith, , is an American mixed martial artist previously fighting at middleweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship making his debut at UFC 59. He also fought for EliteXC before it folded and currently fights for Strikeforce...
- Smith defeated Le via KO (punches) at 3:25 of round 3.
- Lightweight Championship unification bout: Josh ThomsonJosh ThomsonJoshua Joseph Thomson is an American mixed martial arts fighter training with American Kickboxing Academy. He has fought in Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships and America's UFC, as well as Strikeforce and the World Fighting Alliance. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion...
(c) vs. Gilbert MelendezGilbert MelendezGilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist of Mexican descent. Currently fighting out of San Francisco, California, he formerly competed in the lightweight division of PRIDE Fighting Championships and now competes in Strikeforce...
(ic)
- Lightweight Championship unification bout:
- Melendez defeated Thomson via unanimous decision (49–47, 49–46, 49–46) to unify the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship.
- Middleweight bout:
Ronaldo Souza vs. Matt LindlandMatt LindlandMatthew James Lindland is an American mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler and politician. He won the Oregon Republican Party's nomination for the Oregon House of Representatives, District 52 seat on May 20, 2008....
- Middleweight bout:
- Souza defeated Lindland via submission (arm triangle choke) at 4:18 of round 1.
- Heavyweight bout: Muhammed LawalMuhammed Lawal|-| Win|align=center| 8–1| Roger Gracie| KO | Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov| |align=center| 1|align=center| 4:37|Cincinnati, Ohio, United States|||-| Loss|align=center| 7–1| Rafael Cavalcante| TKO...
vs. Mike WhiteheadMike WhiteheadMichael Joe Whitehead is a professional mixed martial arts fighter. He has fought in the light heavyweight and heavyweight weight classes for the UFC, IFL, Affliction, and Strikeforce.-Mixed martial arts career:...
- Heavyweight bout:
- Lawal defeated Whitehead via KO (punches) at 3:08 of round 1.
Preliminary Card
- Light Heavyweight bout: Scott LightyScott LightyScott Lighty is an American super heavyweight kickboxer and light heavyweight mixed martial artist, from San Luis Obispo, California. He currently trains at The Pit alongside UFC veterans, Chuck Liddell and Glover Teixeira...
vs. Antwain BrittAntwain BrittAntwain Britt is an American light heavyweight mixed martial artist.-Mixed martial arts career:Antwain Britt was a wrestler and football player in high school. After completing education he became interested in MMA. He made his debut in the heavyweight division but after a few fights dropped to...
- Britt defeated Lighty via TKO (Doctor's Stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 1.
- Lightweight bout:
Daisuke NakamuraDaisuke Nakamura (fighter)Daisuke Nakamura is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist who has fought for DREAM, Strikeforce, M-1 Global, DEEP, ZST, Cage Rage, PRIDE, K-1 and Cage Force promotions. He holds notable victories over Nigerian K-1 kickboxer Andy Ologun and won his mixed martial arts debut against veteran...
vs. Justin WilcoxJustin Wilcox.Justin Wilcox is an American mixed martial artist from San Jose, California.He is a former professional bodybuilder and a former NCAA Division I wrestler who first began competing as a welterweight...
- Lightweight bout:
- Wilcox defeated Nakamura via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 30–27).
- Featherweight bout: Alexander Crispim vs. AJ Fonseca
- Featherweight bout:
- Crispim defeated Fonseca via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).
Reported payout
The following is the payout to the fighters as reported to the California State Athletic CommissionCalifornia State Athletic Commission
The California State Athletic Commission regulates professional boxing, professional and amateur kickboxing and professional mixed martial arts throughout the State by licensing all participants and supervising the events....
. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by Strikeforce.
- Scott Smith: ($55,000, no win bonus) def. Cung Le: ($150,000)
- Gilbert Melendez: ($55,000, no win bonus) def. Josh Thomson: ($30,000)
- Ronaldo Souza: ($65,000 includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Matt Lindland: ($50,000)
- Muhammed Lawal: ($20,000 includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Mike Whitehead: ($30,000) ^
- Antwain Britt: ($10,000 includes $5,000 win bonus) def. Scott Lightly: ($5,000)
- Justin Wilcox: ($5,000, no win bonus) def. Daisuke Nakamura: ($200)
- Alexander Crispim: ($4,000 includes $2,000 win bonus) def. AJ Fonseca: ($2,000)
^ Muhammed Lawal was reportedly fined 10 percent of his purse for splashing a sponsors energy drink
Energy drink
Energy drinks are beverages whose producers advertise that they "boost energy." These advertisements usually do not emphasize energy derived from the sugar and caffeine they contain but rather increased energy release due to a variety of stimulants and vitamins....
around the cage. The CSAC's initial report did not include information on the penalty.