Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Tonight’s card includes…
* Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight: Joey Villasenor vs. Evangelista Santos
* Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight: Cory Devela vs. Luke Rockhold
* Strikeforce Women’s 140lb. Division Fight: Sarah Kaufman vs. Shayna Baszler
* Strikeforce Lightweight Division Fight: Jorge Gurgel vs. Conor Heun
* Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight: Nick Thompson vs. Tim Kennedy
Here are the preliminary fight results…
* Steve Hadsel def. Taylor Roberts by knockout via punches (0:17, R1)
* Len Bentley def. Marques Daniels by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
* Lyle Beerbohm def. Duane Ludwig by submission via rear naked choke (4:27, R1)
* Brian Caraway def. Alex Zuniga by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
* Dennis Hallman def. Justin Davis by submission via rear naked choke (0:20, R1)
Mauro Ranallo welcomes the viewers to the event while going over tonight’s card, Mauro Ranallo then introduces Stephen Quadros and both discuss tonight’s main event. Pre-taped comments from Joey Villasenor discussing tonight’s main event airs and is followed by a pre-taped interview with Evangelista Santos. Mauro Ranallo then introduces third color commentator Pat Miletech, who discusses the fight between Nick Thompson and Tim Kennedy.
Fight #1 - Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Cory Devela (9-2-0) vs. Luke Rockhold (4-1-0)
Referee: Joe De Robbio
Round One
The round begins with Cory Devela quickly getting dropped by Luke Rockhold with a straight right, Luke Rockhold then hits Cory Devela with a series of punches before locking in the rear naked choke hold and Cory Devela taps out.
Fight Result: Luke Rockhold def. Cory Devela by submission via rear naked choke (0:30, R1)
Post fight interview with Luke Rockhold, who discusses his counter punching skills and the rear naked choke hold that put Cory Devela away.
Fight #2 - Strikeforce Women’s 140lb. Division Fight
Sarah Kaufman (9-0-0) vs. Shayna Baszler (11-5-0)
Referee: Anthony Hamlett
Round One
The round begins with Sarah Kaufman hitting Shayna Baszler with a few jabs, Shayna Baszler responds by hitting Sarah Kaufman with an uppercut and leg kick. Shayna Baszler quickly scores a takedown on Sarah Kaufman, Shayna Baszler moves to the North/South position on Sarah Kaufman. Shayna Baszler applies the anaconda choke to Sarah Kaufman, Sarah Kaufman escapes the choke and moves into half guard on Shayna Baszler. Sarah Kaufman starts hitting Shayna Baszler with rabbit punches to the face, Sarah Kaufman then moves to the guard of Shayna Baszler. The referee stands the fight up after some inactivity, Shayna Baszler pins Sarah Kaufman against the cage wall. Sarah Kaufman switches positions and forces Shayna Baszler against the cage wall, the referee separates the fighters after some inactivity as the round concludes.
Round Two
The round begins with both girls hitting the other with leg kicks, Sarah Kaufman then forces Shayna Baszler against the cage wall. Sarah Kaufman then hits Shayna Baszler with a right to the face, Sarah Kaufman follows it up by hitting Shayna Baszler with a punching combination. Sarah Kaufman then hits Shayna Baszler with a left cross to the face, Sarah Kaufman then forces Shayna Baszler against the cage wall after connecting on a punching combination. Sarah Kaufman then hits Shayna Baszler with two straight leg kicks, both girls throw a flurry of punches at each other as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Shayna Baszler going for a single leg takedown on Sarah Kaufman, but Sarah Kaufman uses the sprawl to get in Shayna Baszler’s half guard. Sarah Kaufman is then forced into Shayna Baszler’s full guard, Sarah Kaufman nearly gets control of Shayna Baszler’s back before standing up. Sarah Kaufman then hits Shayna Baszler with a straight left, Sarah Kaufman then scores a takedown on Shayna Baszler before standing back up. Shayna Baszler then starts attempting to throw elbow strikes at Sarah Kaufman, Sarah Kaufman then hits Shayna Baszler with a few rights to the face. Sarah Kaufman then unloads a series of punches to Shayna Baszler’s face, Shayna Baszler attempts a rolling knee bar and Sarah Kaufman blocks it by laying on top of her as the fight ends.
Fight Result: Sarah Kaufman def. Shayna Baszler by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Post fight interview with Sarah Kaufman, who puts over Shayna Baszler as a tough opponent before talking about how she escaped the North/South choke in the first round.
Mauro Ranallo interviews Josh Barnett, who discusses the loss Shayna Baszler just suffered before talking about his upcoming fight with Fedor Emelianenko in August.
Fight #3 - Strikeforce Lightweight Division Fight
Jorge Gurgel (12-5-0) vs. Conor Heun (8-2-0)
Referee: Joe De Robbio
Round One
The round begins with Jorge Gurgel hitting Conor Heun with a leg kick, Jorge Gurgel then connects with a right cross to Conor Heun. Both fighters then grab each others heads and start throwing body punches, Jorge Gurgel then hits Conor Heun with a leg kick and two rights to the face. Jorge Gurgel then drops Conor Heun with a right hook to the head, Jorge Gurgel then hits Conor Heun with an inside leg kick. Conor Heun then counters a Jorge Gurgel leg kick with a body punch, Conor Heun nearly hits Jorge Gurgel with an ankle trip. Jorge Gurgel then hits Conor Heun with an overhead right, Conor Heun starts chasing Jorge Gurgel and hits him with a right to the face as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with both fighters throwing tons of punches at each other, Conor Heun then controls Jorge Gurgel’s head and hits him with knee strikes. Conor Heun then hits Jorge Gurgel with an inside leg kick, Jorge Gurgel then nails Conor Heun with a head kick. Conor Heun then hits Jorge Gurgel with a right uppercut, Jorge Gurgel then hits Conor Heun with a leg kick/head punch combination. Jorge Gurgel then throws a head kick at Conor Heun, Conor Heun responds by hitting Jorge Gurgel with body strikes. Conor Heun then hits Jorge Gurgel with a body kick, Conor Heun then hits Jorge Gurgel with a straight right. Conor Heun then connects with a right hook to Jorge Gurgel’s body, Jorge Gurgel responds by hitting Conor Heun with a head kick and punching combination. Jorge Gurgel then forces Conor Heun against the cage wall with a punching combination as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Jorge Gurgel hitting Conor Heun with a leg kick, Jorge Gurgel then hits Conor Heun with a superman punch. Both fighters then exchange straight lefts to the face, Jorge Gurgel then throws another head kick at Conor Heun. Jorge Gurgel hits Conor Heun with a body kick, but Conor Heun briefly drops him by hitting him with a straight right. Conor Heun then catches Jorge Gurgel’s leg kick and drops him with a punching combination, Jorge Gurgel then uses the rubber guard to get side control on Conor Heun. The fighters stand back up and Conor Heun hits Jorge Gurgel with a right to the face, Conor Heun then hits Jorge Gurgel with a body kick. Jorge Gurgel attempts another head kick on Conor Heun, Conor Heun then throws a spinning heel kick at Jorge Gurgel as the round concludes.
Fight Result: Jorge Gurgel def. Conor Heun by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Post fight interview with Jorge Gurgel, who puts over Conor Heun as a tough fighter with a lot of respect and then discussing how the fight turned into a pure kickboxing match. Post fight interview with Conor Heun, who discusses how his positive energy drives him to fight and how his legs felt after taking so many leg kicks.
Fight #4 - Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Nick Thompson (38-10-1) vs. Tim Kennedy (9-2-0)
Referee: Joe De Robbio
Round One
The round begins with Tim Kennedy hitting Nick Thompson with a leg kick and body kick, Tim Kennedy takes Nick Thompson down and gains back control. Nick Thompson attempts a straight arm lock on Tim Kennedy while giving up his back, Tim Kennedy breaks free and gains full control of Nick Thompson’s back. Tim Kennedy loses back control and falls into half guard on Nick Thompson, Tim Kennedy uses the scramble to gets North/South position on Nick Thompson. Tim Kennedy then regains control of Nick Thompson’s back, the fighters stand up and Tim Kennedy quickly takes Nick Thompson down. Tim Kennedy transitions to full mount and then into half guard on Nick Thompson, Tim Kennedy then switches to side control and then into back control on Nick Thompson. Tim Kennedy then returns to side control on Nick Thompson, Tim Kennedy then moves to half guard on Nick Thompson as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with Tim Kennedy hitting Nick Thompson with a leg kick, Tim Kennedy then hits Nick Thompson with a right cross before scoring the takedown. Tim Kennedy then transitions to back control on Nick Thompson, Tim Kennedy then moves to half guard on Nick Thompson. Tim Kennedy then gets side control on Nick Thompson, Tim Kennedy starts hitting Nick Thompson with punches to the head and Nick Thompson quickly taps out.
Fight Result: Tim Kennedy def. Nick Thompson by submission via strikes (2:37, R2)
After the fight, Nick Thompson immediately starts complaining to referee Joe De Robbio about being hit with illegal strikes.
Post fight interview with Tim Kennedy, who says he didn’t feel ring rust after a long lay off and then says he didn’t intentionally throw illegal strikes at Nick Thompson before putting over the military.
Main Event - Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Joey Villasenor (26-6-0) vs. Evangelista Santos (16-12-0)
Referee: Anthony Hamlett
Round One
The round begins with Evangelista Santos hitting Joey Villasenor with a leg kick, Evangelista Santos then hits Joey Villasenor with a left uppercut. Joey Villasenor then hits Evangelista Santos with an inside leg kick, Evangelista Santos responds by hitting Joey Villasenor with a leg kick. Evangelista Santos then forces Joey Villasenor against the cage wall, Joey Villasenor then uses a trip takedown on Evangelista Santos. Joey Villasenor then moves into the guard of Evangelista Santos, Joey Villasenor then moves to half guard on Evangelista Santos. Joey Villasenor uses strikes to move to side control on Evangelista Santos, Joey Villasenor then controls Evangelista Santos’s head and hits him with knee strikes. Evangelista Santos then hits Joey Villasenor with a leg kick as the round ends.
Round Two
The round starts with Joey Villasenor hitting Evangelista Santos with a body kick, Joey Villasenor then hits Evangelista Santos with a straight left. Both fighters then starts launching wild punches at each other, Evangelista Santos then hits Joey Villasenor with a bunch of leg kicks. Joey Villasenor then hits Evangelista Santos with a body kick, Joey Villasenor then hits Evangelista Santos with a leg kick. Both fighters then hit each other with short uppercuts to the chin, Evangelista Santos then starts throwing wild punches at Joey Villasenor as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Evangelista Santos hitting Joey Villasenor with a few leg kicks, Joey Villasenor responds by hitting Evangelista Santos with a body kick. Evangelista Santos then scores a takedown on Joey Villasenor, Evangelista Santos then starts using ground and pound on Joey Villasenor. The fighters stand back up and both fighters ht each other with right crosses, Joey Villasenor then hits Evangelista Santos with a body punch. Joey Villasenor then connects with a knee strike on Evangelista Santos, Joey Villasenor then hits Evangelista Santos with an elbow strike to the face. Joey Villasenor then hits Evangelista Santos with a leg kick, both fighters then exchange a flurry of punches as the round ends.
Fight Result: Joey Villasenor def. Evangelista Santos by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Post fight interview with Joey Villasenor, who talks about his year long break from MMA competition and he puts over Evangelista Santos as a tough fighter before talking about a potential fight with Robbie Lawler and/or Cung Le.
Mauro Ranallo and Pat Miletech recap the evenings fights before bringing in Stephen Quadros, who discusses the Jorge Gurgel/Conor Heun fight.
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
