Billy Evangelista & Jorge Gurgel all set to headline tonight's StrikeForce Challengers
MMAMadness.com’s Chris Gerhardt is ringside in Fresno, CA to bring you LIVE play-by-play results of the StrikeForce Challengers fight card.
2ND Round
Heated exchanges on the feet to start the second round. After several knee strikes by Riddering, Riddering clinches, but is thrown with a body-lock slam by Altamirano. Riddering immediately throws on a tight looking triangle choke attempt.
Altamirano stacks and eventually slides out of the triangle. Both fighters stand and exchange again. Riddering lands a flying knee, which can be heard throughout the venue, but is quickly taken down again.
3RD Round
The pace begins to slow after that frantic second round of stand-up exchanges. Riddering circles from the outside and repeatedly sticks his jab.
Big right head kick by Altamirano but Riddering recovers quickly. After another brief exchange Altamirano again scores his leg-trip takedown.
Not much action from Riddering on top and the referee chooses to stand them up. Riddering lands several body kicks to finish the round. Fight is going to the judge’s scorecard.
Judges score it unanimous 30-27 for Altamirano.
1ST Round
Escovedo comes out aggressive with several lead body kicks. Escovedo attempts a flying triangle choke but Eazel avoids and Escovedo lands on the mat. The fighters continue to exchange with Escovedo scoring kicks to the legs and the body. Lands a big right head kick and knocks down Eazel.
Escovedo pounces on his stunned opponent and lands multiple uncontested punches against the fence until the referee calls a stop to the bout 1:47 into the very first round.
Very impressive TKO victory for Escovedo. Looks strong and dangerous at 135 pounds.
Tonight’s preliminary bouts continue with the third fight featuring Fresno’s own Casey “The Underdog” Olson (10-3) vs Chris Culley (4-5.)
1ST Round
Both fighter circle each other and begin the feel=out process. Culley landing a few jabs but no significant shots through the first two minutes. Olson presses Culley up against the fence, looking for the double-leg.
Olson scoops Culley onto his shoulder and carries him across the cage before scoring a huge slam into side control.
Olson moves to full mount and lands some heavy leather. Referee stops the fight 2:33 into the very first round.
Olson looked good, adding another TKO victory to his impressive record. Despite the slow start, he finished withwith a flurry and showed great finishing instincts.
Tonight’s preliminary bouts conclude with the fourth fight of the evening, featuring Ben “The Teacher” Holscher (3-0) vs. Johnny Goh (1-2.)
1ST Round
Holscher and Goh circle and exchange jabs as well as leg kicks. Both fighters trying to find their range. Quick clinch by Holscher but Goh seperates.
Holscher fires the jab and then shoots under for the takedown. Holscher land in Goh’s guard.
Goh switches to a butterfly guard and attempts the sweep but Holscher uses the cage to control Goh.
Holscher lands several right and left hands to the body. Holscher continues to grind Goh against the cage and the round ends with Holscher still in top.
2ND Round
Goh starts the round with leg kicks to counter Holscher’s charges. Holscher slips a punch and again scores the takedown.
Goh is doing a good job of keeping Holscher in his guard and avoiding damage. Referee eventually stands them up.
A brief exchange on the feet with Goh scoring a jab and just missing with the overhand right. Another takedown by Holscher.
Action slows down with Holscher remaining in the top position to close out the round.
3RD Round
Goh comes out swinging to start the third round. Goh is likely down two rounds and is swinging for the fences. Holscher slips a punch and scores yet another takedown.
Fight is finding familiar waters, with more ground and pound from Holscher. He seems content to stay in Goh’s guard and land punches.
Goh lands a big up-kick from the bottom position and stuns Holscher. The fighters scramble for position with Goh sprawling on Holscher.
Holscher passes to side control and establishes his best position of the fight so far.
Goh hip escapes and gets to his feet. Holscher shoots and Goh attemptssto pull a guillotine choke. The bell sounds as Holscher finishes the takedown.
This fight is going to the judges’ score cards.
Judges score it unanimous 30-27 for Holscher. Holscher used his superior wrestling to keep Goh on his back and take the easy decision. Holscher continues to build his spotless record with another victory.
Main Card Fights will begin shortly. Strikeforce Intermission.
Tonight’s Main Card will begin with the evening’s only women’s bout, featuring Zoila “Warrior Princess” Frausto (3-0) vs. Elisha Helsper (0-1.)
Frausto comes out swinging hard leg kicks. Also tries for the head kick but Helsper evades.
Both fighters continue to circle. Frausto attempts a superman punch but again Helsper evades at the last moment. Helsper lands a leg kick of her own but Frausto immediately fires back. Frausto narrowly misses a nasty looking head kick.
Frausto lands a solid jab and continues to pepper with leg strikes. The round ends with both fighters still on their feet.
2ND Round
Both women look to exchange early. Lots of punches and kicks fired from both fighters. Helsper works Frausto into the cage wall but Frausto uses a push-kick to the chest to create space again.
The women continue to circle the cage, looking for openings. Frausto lands a big right head kick and the stunned Helsper loses her footing.
Frausto lets Helsper get back to her feet. Helsper begins to launch her own offense and sends a boxing blast at Frausto, backing her into the cage wall. Frausto comes on the cage with a Thai clinch and lands several knees to the body.
The women keep the pace fast and continue to swing as the second round bell is sounded. The crowd is loud.
3RD Round
Both women immediately look to engage. Helsper uses a body lock to drive Frausto back into the fence and eventually scores the takedown. Not much happening on the ground and the referee stands them up almost right away.
Helsper again looks to use the body lock position to control Frausto against the cage and prevent the big shots. Frausto separates and lands several good combos with her hands and feet.
Women begin a heated exchange of leather with Fraudto ending the exchange with the Thai clinch. Trips Helsper to the ground and lands a few punches on her feet until the final bell sounds. The crowd erupts in applause for the female warriors.
The fight will go to the judges’ scorecards.
Frausto wins a unanimous decision. All three judges score the bout 30-27 Frausto.
Frausto came into the fight in shape and looked good throughout the fight whenever the women stood and exchanged. She keeps her perfect record intact.
Strikeforce Challengers IV Main Card concludes with the night’s Main Event bout featuring Billy “Badass” Evangelista (9-0) vs. Jorge Gurgel (13-5.)
1ST Round
The crowd goes crazy for Evangelista as the fight begins. Both fighters looking to engage quickly.
Evangelista lands a hard leg kick but Gurgel lands a punch at the same time. The crowd begins to chant “Billy, Billy.”
Evangelista already has a mouse forming under his left eye. Gurgel landing some crsip counter punches.
Evangelista begins to look confident and starts letting his hands and feet go. Gurgel continues to stand and exchange. As the round draws to a close Evangelista shoots and scores and takedown. Very close round. That takedown may have given Evangelista the edge.
2ND Round
Gurgel comes out very aggressive to start the round. Throwing lots of punches in bunches, looking for the knockout. Evangelista is staying relaxed and picking his shots. Both fighters are landing often.
Evangelista slips a punch and again scores a takedown on Gurgel. Gurgel is trying to hip escape but Evangelista is staying too close. Gurgel maintains guard as Evangelista pushes him against the cage. Evangelista can’t put together much offense and the referee stands them up.
Gurgel lands a big head kick and stuns Evangelista. Gurgel attempts a guillotine choke to finish the fight and it looks deep. Evangelista escapes and regains the tope position as the bell sounds.
3RD Round
The third round starts with thunderous chanting for Evangelista. Both fighters are swinging hard, looking to wear down their opponent.
Soon the pace slows down as the fighters catch their breath and look for openings. Gurgel takes the center of the cage and begins to stalk Evangelista. Evangelista clinches and looks to use the cage for another takedown. Gurgel circles away and they fighters begin to trade strikes again.
Evangelista scores a perfectly timed takedown. He doesn’t land too many clean shots but maintains top position as the round and the fight ends.
They will be going to the judge’s scorecards.
30-27, 30-27, 29-28 all for Evangelista. The hometown crowd loves the decision. Very tough fight to call. Both fighters landed hard and often. Exciting conclusion to a good night of fights.
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