Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Here is tonight’s card…
* Strikeforce Lightweight Division Fight: Billy Evangelista vs. Jorge Gurgel
* Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight: Jesse Taylor vs. Luke Rockhold
* Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight: Shane Del Rosario vs. Brandon Cash
* Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight: Ousmane Thomas Diagne vs. Merritt Warren
* Strikeforce Women’s 135lb. Division Fight: Elisha Helsper vs. Zoila Frausto
Here are the preliminary fight results…
* Ricardo Altamirano def. Alex Trevino by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
* Cole Escovedo def. Maurice Eazel by TKO via strikes (1:47, R1)
* Casey Olsen def. Chris Culley by TKO via strikes (2:32, R1)
* Ben Holscher def. Johnny Goh by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Al Bernstein welcomes us to tonight’s event and goes over the card, before introducing Stephen Quadros and Pat Miletech, who also goes over tonight’s card.
Pre-taped interview with Billy Evangelista airs, he says he does not enter the fight with a gameplan, but will take the victory any way he could get it. Pre-taped interview with Jorge Gurgel airs, he says that he will be entering the fight as the underdog and knows the crowd will be against him since his opponent is the hometown boy.
Pre-taped interview with Elisha Helsper, who talks about being part of the National Guard and competing in MMA, while dedicating the fight to a fellow member of the armed forces. Pre-taped interview with Zoila Frausto, who says that competing in Strikeforce is the biggest opportunity of her career and she loves to use strikes.
Fight #1 - Strikeforce Women’s 135lb. Division Fight
Elisha Helsper (0-1-0) vs. Zoila Frausto (3-0-0)
Referee: Dan Stell
Round One
The round begins with both fighters exchanging some leg kicks, Zoila Frausto then attempts a head kick on Elisha Helsper. Zoila Frausto then catches Elisha Helsper with a quick jab, Elisha Helsper then hits Zoila Frausto with a leg kick. Elisha Helsper then connects with a straight right on Zoila Frausto, Zoila Frausto then hits Elisha Helsper with a jab to the face. Zoila Frausto then connects with some leg kicks on Elisha Helsper, Zoila Frausto then hits Elisha Helsper with a superman punch as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with Zoila Frausto hitting Elisha Helsper with a leg kick, Elisha Helsper then shoves Zoila Frausto against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Elisha Helsper hits Zoila Frausto with a few leg kicks, Zoila Frausto then hits Elisha Helsper with a knee strike to the mid-section. Zoila Frausto then connects with a head kick on Elisha Helsper, Elisha Helsper is then knocked to the ground and Zoila Frausto tells her to stand up. The fighters stand up and Elisha Helsper hits Zoila Frausto with a series of punches to the face, Zoila Frausto then hits Elisha Helsper with two knee strikes to the body as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Elisha Helsper hitting Zoila Frausto with a series of punches to the body, Elisha Helsper then scores a takedown on Zoila Frausto and gets into half guard. The referee stands up the fighters after inactivity and Zoila Frausto hits Elisha Helsper with a leg kick, Zoila Frausto then catches a charging Elisha Helsper with a knee strike to the face. Elisha Helsper then forces Zoila Frausto up against the cage wall, the referee separates the fighters again after some inactivity. The fight continues with Zoila Frausto hitting Elisha Helsper with a punching combination to the face, Elisha Helsper then hits Zoila Frausto with a leg kick/punching combination. Zoila Frausto then puts Elisha Helsper on the ground and starts using ground and pound on her as the round ends.
Fight Result: Zoila Frausto def. Elisha Helsper by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Stephen Quadros interviews Zoila Frausto, who puts over Elisha Helsper as a tough opponent and says that she loves using her kicks.
Pre-taped interview with Merritt Warren, who says he could retire tonight if this fight doesn’t go well and shows a picture of his family to the camera. Pre-taped interview with Ousmane Thomas Diagne, who says he has been competing in combat sports since his was fourteen years old and says he is out to prove that he is the best.
Fight #2 - Strikeforce Welterweight Division Fight
Ousmane Thomas Diagne (1-0-0) vs. Merritt Warren (4-2-0)
Referee: John Schorle
Round One
The round begins with Merritt Warren hitting Ousmane Thomas Diagne with a few leg kicks, Ousmane Thomas Diagne then hits Merritt Warren with a huge slam takedown. Ousmane Thomas Diagne then moves into side control on Merritt Warren, Merritt Warren then moves Ousmane Thomas Diagne into his half guard. Merritt Warren uses a brief scramble to move Ousmane Thomas Diagne into his full guard, Ousmane Thomas Diagne postures up and Merritt Warren locks him in a heel hook that forces the tap out from Ousmane Thomas Diagne.
Fight Result: Merritt Warren def. Ousmane Thomas Diagne by submission via heel hook (3:49, R1)
Stephen Quadros interviews Merritt Warren, who puts over the state of Kentucky and discusses how he applied the heel hook to Ousmane Thomas Diagne.
Pre-taped interview with Jesse Taylor, who talks about training his students and how his mental toughness will help him win fights. Pre-taped interview with Luke Rockhold, who talks about being considered a top prospect in Strikeforce and his unorthodox style in MMA.
Fight #3 - Strikeforce Middleweight Division Fight
Jesse Taylor (13-4-0) vs. Luke Rockhold (5-1-0)
Referee: Dan Stell
Round One
The round begins with Jesse Taylor being stuffed by Luke Rockhold on a takedown attempt, Jesse Taylor then scores a brief takedown on Luke Rockhold. Jesse Taylor then scores a second takedown on Luke Rockhold, Luke Rockhold then puts Jesse Taylor in his guard. Jesse Taylor then gets back control on Luke Rockhold as the fighters stand up, Luke Rockhold then blocks a choke attempt and gets back control on Jesse Taylor. Luke Rockhold starts using some ground and pound on Jesse Taylor to weaken him, Luke Rockhold puts Jesse Taylor in the rear naked choke hold and Jesse Taylor taps out.
Fight Result: Luke Rockhold def. Jesse Taylor by submission via rear naked choke hold (3:42, R1)
Stephen Quadros interviews Luke Rockhold, who says he will be going to the beach to reward himself for the victory and beating Jesse Taylor is the biggest win of his career.
Billy Evangelista and Jorge Gurgel were shown in their respective locker rooms.
Pre-taped interview with Shane Del Rosario, who talks about attending college and a possible future fight with Fedor Emelianenko. Pre-taped interview with Brandon Cash, who says he accomplished a dream tonight by competing on live TV and is a professional tattoo artist.
Fight #4 - Strikeforce Heavyweight Division Fight
Shane Del Rosario (8-0-0) vs. Brandon Cash (5-0-0)
Referee: John Schorle
Round One
The round begins with Brandon Cash quickly dropping Shane Del Rosario with a right cross, Brandon Cash then assaults Shane Del Rosario with ground and pound. Brandon Cash then gets full mount on Shane Del Rosario, Shane Del Rosario then traps a leg of Brandon Cash to put him in half guard. The fighters stand up and Brandon Cash quickly scores a takedown on Shane Del Rosario, Brandon Cash then moves to the half guard of Shane Del Rosario after a failed submission attempt. Shane Del Rosario then moves Brandon Cash into his full guard, Brandon Cash postures up and dives back into the guard of Shane Del Rosario. Shane Del Rosario then surprises Brandon Cash with an omaplata and Brandon Cash taps out.
Fight Result: Shane Del Rosario def. Brandon Cash by submission via omaplata (2:57, R1)
Stephen Quadros interviews Shane Del Rosario, who thank Fresno for hosting tonight’s event and puts over Brandon Cash as a tough opponent.
Highlights from the press conference for the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers event airs, narrated by Mauro Ranallo.
Stephen Quadros interviews Cung Le, who talks about giving up his Strikeforce Middleweight Title while pursuing his acting career and says he will fight again in December.
Pre-taped interview with Jorge Gurgel, who talks about competing for the students in his sixteen schools and it is the competition that drives him. Pre-taped interview with Billy Evangelista, who talks about how his focus and coaches will help him win the fight tonight.
Main Event - Strikeforce Lightweight Division Fight
Billy Evangelista (9-0-0-1NC) vs. Jorge Gurgel (13-5-0)
Referee: Dan Stell
Round One
The round begins with Billy Evangelista hitting Jorge Gurgel with a leg kick, Jorge Gurgel responds by hitting Billy Evangelista with a leg kick of his own. Jorge Gurgel then connects with a left hook on Billy Evangelista, Billy Evangelista then hits Jorge Gurgel with a leg kick. Both fighters then exchange a series of leg kicks, Billy Evangelista then hits Jorge Gurgel with a right to the face. Billy Evangelista then hits Jorge Gurgel with a series of leg kicks, Billy Evangelista then scores a takedown on Jorge Gurgel as the round ends.
Round Two
The round begins with Billy Evangelista hitting Jorge Gurgel with a knee strike to the body, Billy Evangelista then hits Jorge Gurgel with a body kick. Billy Evangelista then connects with a right cross to the face of Jorge Gurgel, Jorge Gurgel responds by hitting Billy Evangelista with a right hook and left uppercut. Jorge Gurgel then hits Billy Evangelista with a spinning back fist, Billy Evangelista then scores a takedown on Jorge Gurgel and moves into his open guard. Billy Evangelista then starts using ground and pound on Jorge Gurgel, Billy Evangelista moves into the guard of Jorge Gurgel. Billy Evangelista then returns to using ground and pound on Jorge Gurgel, the referee stands up the fighters after inactivity and Jorge Gurgel drops Billy Evangelista with a head kick and locks him in the guillotine choke, but Billy Evangelista escapes as the round ends.
Round Three
The round begins with Jorge Gurgel hitting Billy Evangelista with an overhand right, Billy Evangelista then hits Jorge Gurgel with a right to the face. Billy Evangelista then catches a Jorge Gurgel leg kick and hits him with a straight right, Billy Evangelista then hits Jorge Gurgel with two straight right crosses to the head. Jorge Gurgel then hits Billy Evangelista with a counter right to the face, Billy Evangelista then hit’s a charging Jorge Gurgel with a right to the face. Billy Evangelista then hits Jorge Gurgel with a knee strike to the body, Jorge Gurgel responds by hitting Billy Evangelista with a knee strike to the head. Billy Evangelista then scores a takedown on Jorge Gurgel and moves into his guard as the round ends.
Fight Result: Billy Evangelista def. Jorge Gurgel by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Stephen Quadros interviews Jorge Gurgel, who puts over Billy Evangelista as a top contender and he apologizes to his camp. Stephen Quadros interviews Billy Evangelista, who says that Jorge Gurgel is a tough opponent and talks about nearly getting tapped in the second round.
Al Bernstein, Pat Miletech and Stephen Quadros recaps the evenings events as the program comes to a close.
