Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista
Encyclopedia
Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista was a mixed martial arts
event held by the Strikeforce
. The fourth Challengers episode took place on November 6, 2009, at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State in Fresno, California
.
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 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...
. The fourth Challengers episode took place on November 6, 2009, at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State in Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
.
Televised card
- Catchweight (160 lb) bout:
Jorge GurgelJorge GurgelJorge Valente Gurgel is a Brazilian-American Mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who currently competes in Strikeforce's lightweight division.- Early life :...
vs.
Billy EvangelistaBilly EvangelistaBilly Evangelista is an American mixed martial artist who has fought for World Extreme Cagefighting and Strikeforce in his career. His most notable wins are over former UFC fighters Luke Caudillo, Jorge Gurgel and current UFC fighter Nam Phan.-Early career:...
- Billy Evangelista defeated Jorge Gurgel via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28).
- Heavyweight bout: Shane del RosarioShane Del RosarioShane Kalani del Rosario is an American Thai boxer and mixed martial artist currently signed to Strikeforce. He holds the distinction of being the first American to become the WBC Muay Thai World Heavyweight Champion and has earned stoppage victories in all 11 of his professional mixed martial...
vs. Brandon Cash
- Shane del Rosario defeated Brandon Cash via submission (omoplata) at 2:57 of round 1.
- Middleweight bout: Jesse TaylorJesse TaylorJesse Marcus Taylor is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, winning his entry, preliminary, quarterfinal and semi-final matches, and then became the only fighter to ever be removed from finals due to events that occurred...
vs. Luke RockholdLuke RockholdLuke Rockhold is an American mixed martial artist. He is the current Strikeforce Middleweight Champion.Rockhold holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Dave Camarillo.-Early Life:...
- Luke Rockhold defeated Jesse Taylor via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:42 of round 1.
- Lightweight bout:
Ousmane Thomas DiagneOusmane Thomas DiagneOusmane Thomas Diagne is a French lightweight mixed martial artist currently fighting in Strikeforce on the ShoMMA cards. He is a longtime practitioner of Sanshou, the Chinese form of kickboxing that embraces throwing techniques in addition to striking. He is a six-time Sanshou titlist...
vs. Merrit Warren
- Merrit Warren defeated Ousmane Thomas Diagne via submission (heel hook) at 3:49 of round 1.
- Women's (135 lb) bout: Elisha Helsper vs. Zoila FraustoZoila FraustoZoila L. Gurgel is an American professional female mixed martial artist. Her nickname comes from the popular 1990s TV series Xena: Warrior Princess...
- Zoila Frausto defeated Elisha Helsper via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).
Non-televised card
- Lightweight bout: Ben HolscherBen Holscher"The Teacher" Ben Holscher is an American mixed martial artist and wrestling coach from Fresno, California. Ben was born and raised on a farm in Ogallala, NE. He was a state wrestling runner-up in his home state of Nebraska at Ogallala High School...
vs. Johnny Goh
- Ben Holscher defeated Johnny Goh via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).
- Featherweight bout: Casey OlsonCasey OlsonCasey Olson is an American mixed martial arts fighter currently competing in the Lightweight division.-Biography:With the nickname "The Underdog," Olson is based in Fresno, California, but fights out of The Pit in San Luis Obispo, Calif. He is a product of Clovis High, Fresno City College and...
vs. Chris Culley
- Casey Olson defeated Chris Culley via TKO (punches) at 2:32 of round 1.
- Bantamweight bout: Cole EscovedoCole EscovedoCole Escovedo is an American mixed martial artist from Fresno, California currently fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
vs. Maurice Eazel
- Cole Escovedo defeated Maurice Eazel via TKO (strikes) at 1:47 of round 1.
- Welterweight bout: Alex TrevinoAlex TreviñoAlejandro Treviño Castro is a Mexican retired professional baseball catcher. Trevino played 13 seasons in the Major Leagues beginning with the New York Mets for four seasons , followed by the Cincinnati Reds for two full seasons before splitting the 1984 season between the Reds and the Atlanta...
vs. Rico Altamirano
- Rico Altamirano defeated Alex Trevino via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).