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Elisha “Knuckles†Helsper (0-1-0) vs. Zoila “Princess†Frausto (3-0-0)
Elisha Helsper has only fought once before in her professional MMA career, losing to Lisa Ward by submission in mid-2007. It has been well over two years since Elisha Helsper last competed in an MMA fight, so conditioning could play a factor in the fight. Elisha Helsper does train with the world famous Lion’s Den training facility, which could help her overcome her lack of experience. Zoila Frausto will be having her fourth MMA fight in 2009 this Friday Night and her third fight within six months. Thus far in her MMA career, Zoila Frausto has defeated Karina Hallinan, Sarah Boyd and Leann Jenkins. Since she has trained in the Lions Den, Zoila Frausto also competed in a Ken Shamrock sponsored MMA event that marked her professional MMA debut. Zoila Frausto will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with all three of her career victories coming by decision.
My Prediction: Zoila Frausto
Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Ousmane Thomas Diagne (1-0-0) vs. Warren Merritt (2-3-0)
Ousmane Thomas Diagne made his professional MMA debut in May 2009, defeating Kaleo Kwan at the first Strikeforce Challengers Series event. This fight against Warren Merritt will mark the second fight Ousmane Thomas Diagne has had within the last six months. Ousmane Thomas Diagne will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with his lone career victory coming by decision. Warren Merritt will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the Hook N’ Shoot promotion. While in the Hook N’ Shoot promotion, Warren Merritt defeated Kenneth Jolly and Victor Vitola, while suffering defeats to Dustin Neace and David Overfield. It has been well over a year since Warren Merritt competed in an MMA fight, so conditioning could play a factor in the fight. Warren Merritt will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with all of his victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Ousmane Thomas Diagne
Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Luke Rockhold (5-1-0) vs. Jesse “JT Money†Taylor (13-4-0)
Luke Rockhold is a veteran of Strikeforce competition, having gone undefeated in all four of his past fights in the Strikeforce promotion. In those four fights in Strikeforce, Luke Rockhold has defeated Josh Neal, Nik Theotikas, Buck Meredith and Cory Devela. Of his six professional fights, none of them has gone past the first round for Luke Rockhold, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Luke Rockhold will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with all of his victories coming by way of submission. Jesse Taylor made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Santos, losing to Jay Hieron by unanimous decision. Jesse Taylor is best known for his run on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 7, which he got booted out of the program after a drunken rage through Las Vegas. In his lone UFC appearance, Jesse Taylor lost to CB Dollaway by submission at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 14. Jesse Taylor is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with ten victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Jesse Taylor
Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight
Brandon “Money†Cash (5-0-0) vs. Shane Del Rosario (8-0-0)
Brandon Cash will be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he has fought the majority of his career in the War Gods promotion. While in the War Gods promotion, Brandon Cash defeated Ian Mort, Fredrick Steen and Liron Wilson, with all of the victories coming within four months. Brandon Cash also fought once in the Palace Fighting Championships, defeating Steve Gavin by way of knockout. Brandon Cash will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with three victories coming by knockout. Shane Del Rosario will also be making his Strikeforce debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of other promotions like M-1 Global and Elite XC. While competing in those promotions, Shane Del Rosario has defeated Amedeo Viola, Analu Brash, Carl Seumanutafa, Dool Hee Lee, Maxim Grishin and Lloyd Marshbanks. Of his eight professional fights, only one has gone past the second round, which speaks to Shane Del Rosario’s finishing abilities. Shane Del Rosario will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with seven victories coming by way of knockout.
My Prediction: Shane Del Rosario
Strikeforce Lightweight Division Fight
Billy Evangelista (9-0-0) vs. Jorge Gurgel (13-5-0)
Billy Evangelista is an undefeated fight who has spent the majority of his career in the Strikeforce promotion, winning six fights. In those six Strikeforce fights, Billy Evangelista has fought Mike Aina, Luke Caudillo, Nam Phan, Marlon Sims, Clint Coronel and Isaiah Hill. Billy Evangelista has also fought once in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, defeating Ryan Healy by TKO. Billy Evangelista will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with four victories coming by knockout. Jorge Gurgel is also undefeated in Strikeforce competition, defeating Conor Heun by unanimous decision. Jorge Gurgel has been on an odd streak in his MMA career, with seven of his last eight fights ending via decision. Jorge Gurgel also had a run in the UFC, defeating Danny Abbadi, Diego Saraiva and John Halverson, while suffering defeats to Mark Hominick, Alvin Robinson, Cole Miller and Aaron Riley. Jorge Gurgel will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with nine victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Jorge Gurgel
(Note: I will be doing live coverage of Strikeforce Challengers Series: Evangelista vs. Gurgel right here on PWInsiderXtra this Friday November 6th at 11pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
