Holscher will be entering into his third professional bout, and looking for his third professional victory. He made his Strikeforce debut at the promotions May Fresno event with a submission victory over Cody Canterbury. Holscher picked up his inaugural professional win at a November 2008 War Gods event.

Olson is a 13-3 fighter who has seen action in numerous promotions including the WEC, Palace Fighting Championships, and one previous bout with Strikeforce. He will be looking to rebound from a loss suffered to Eddie Yagin at a May PFC event when he makes his return to Strikeforce in November.

Ruiz is an MMA veteran with thirty-five contests in his journeyman career. He has fought for Strikeforce a previous six times including back to back losses to Trevor Prangley and Aaron Rosa in his last two outings for the promotion. Since those two losses, however, Ruiz has gotten back in the win column with a victory over Gan McGee at PureCombat 9 in July.

Female Strikeforce debutant, Frausto, made her professional debut in February of this year, and has rattled off three decision victories. The California native’s three fights have all taken place in different promotions including her professional Debut with War Gods, and her most recent bout in July with PureCombat.

Pictured: Anthony Ruiz

Previously unbeaten hometown favorite Billy Evangelista lost by disputed, controversial second-round disqualification to Mike Aina Friday in the main event of the inaugural Strikeforce Challengers telecast on SHOWTIME.

At the finish, neither fighter was satisfied with the outcome at the Save Mart Center.

Evangelista (9-1), of Fresno, was disqualified for “intentionally” kneeing Aina (12-6-1), of Hilo, Hawaii, in the head while the Hawaiian fighter was down. The rule is a fighter can knee a downed opponent to the body, but not the head.

“I feel bad at what happened, but I am definitely planning to protest,’’ Evangelista said. “Nothing I did was on purpose. I thought I had timed the knee perfectly and that he was on his feet when it was delivered.’’

Said Aina: “No one likes a fight to finish this way. I don’t look at it as a win for me, and he should not look at it as a loss for him. It should have been a no contest.’’

The five-fight telecast aired on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

In other SHOWTIME fights: Sarah Kaufman (9-0) of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, remained unbeaten with a hard-fought unanimous decision over determined Miesha Tate (6-2) of Olympia, Wash., in a women’s match at 135 pounds; Lavar Johnson (12-3) of Fresno scored an 18-second, first-round knockout over Carl Seumanutafa (4-3), a Samoan based in San Francisco, in a heavyweight fight; San Antonio’s Aaron Rosa (12-2) registered a 4:29 first-round TKO (choke) over Anthony Ruiz (21-13) of Coarsegold, Calif., takes on in a light heavyweight bout and Bao Quach (16-9-1) of Huntington Beach, Calif., won a unanimous decision over Tito Jones (6-3) of Sacramento, Calif., in a featherweight scrap.

In an eagerly anticipated women’s bout, Kaufman outlasted Tate in a non-stop, see-saw battle. It was the first time Kaufman was taken the distance, but she was the stronger fighter at the finish and won by the scores of 29-28 on all three scorecards.

A relentless puncher with good stamina, Kaufman bloodied Tate’s nose, but was taken to the mat twice, the first times she has ever been down.

“I give Miesha credit but I am very happy with my performance,’’ Kaufman said. “I wish I could have done more in the second round, but three rounds go by so fast. I wish they’d let us fight five-minute rounds like the guys.

Tate took down Kaufman in the closing seconds of the first round and in the first 35 seconds of the second. She kept Kaufman on her back for much of the second but couldn’t sustain her momentum in the third.’’

Johnson, a standout football player as an outside linebacker ay Madera (Calif.) High, caught an off balance Seumanutafa with a quick, brutal right uppercut that knocked the Samoan unconscious and sent him face down to the canvas. Seumanutafa tried to shoot with his head down but was nailed flush.

“This is exactly what I had practiced. I had watched tapes of Carl and knew he might try that kind of thing.

“This was an important win for my. I had my two young sons with me. No way was I going to let them see their Dad get beat up. No way they’d listen to me after that.’’

Rosa rallied after getting caught early. “He got me, but then I rocked him good with a right hand off the cage,’’ Rosa said. “I feel good. This was a big win and I am grateful for Strikeforce giving me this opportunity. He was a slick guy but he didn’t do anything that I wasn’t prepared for. did, slammed Ruiz, and was in control until the referee stopped the bout.

The victory was the second in a row for Rosa, who won the first 10 fights of his career.

In the telecast’s opening bout, Quach survived two knockdowns in the final round to win by the scores of 29-28 on the three judges scorecards. Winning for the 10th time in 11 starts, Quach appeared hurt after going down a second time but Jones didn’t follow up.

“I stuck to my game plan, which was to stick (kick) and move, and I did,’’ Quach said. “I know I won the first two rounds and he definitely got me in the third. I was dazed but he didn’t capitalize. But until the third round, he didn’t do anything. There was no doubt in my mind that I won the fight.’’

Non-televised results: Ben “The Teacher” Holscher (2-0) of Fresno submitted (rear naked choke) Cody Cantebury (1-4-1) of Sacramento at 2:47 of the first round (160 pounds); Thomas Diagne (1-0) of San Jose, Calif., won a decision over Kaleo Kwan (7-10) of Kailua, Hawaii (lightweights); Fabricio “Morango” Camoes (10-4) of Brazil submitted (rear naked choke) Torrance Taylor (7-6-1) of Cleveland, Ohio at 3:31 of the first round (155 pounds) and Spencer Herns (1-0) of San Jose won a majority three-round decision over Chad Sutton (2-2) of Fresno in a bout at 185 pounds.

Official Strikeforce Challengers 1 Results:

• Mike Aina def. Billy Evangelista via DQ (illegal knee) — Round 2, 3:40
• Sarah Kaufman def. Miesha Tate via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lavar Johnson def. Carl Seumanutafa via KO (punch) — Round 1, 0:18
• Aaron Rosa def. Anthony Ruiz via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 4:29
• Bao Quach def. Tito Jones via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Spencer Herns def. Chad Sutton via majority decision
• Fabricio Camoes def. Torrance Taylor via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 3:21
• Thomas Diagne def. Kaleo Kwan via unanimous decision
• Ben Holscher def. Cody Cantebury via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 2:07

Strikeforce Challengers 1 Photos (courtesy of Strikeforce):

Billy Evangelista and Mike Aina

ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers 1 Weigh-In Results (Fresno, CA)

• Mike Aina (157.2) vs. Billy Evangelista (157.5)
• Sarah Kaufman (135) vs. Miesha Tate (135.4)
• Lavar Johnson (246.4) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (250.5)
• Aaron Rosa (205.4) vs. Anthony Ruiz (205.2)
• Tito Jones (145.6) vs. Bao Quach (145.8)
• Cody Cantebury (160) vs. Ben Holscher (160.2)
• Zolia Frausto (129.8) vs. Avery Vilche (122.8)
• Ousmane Thomas Diagne (155.6) vs. Kaleo Kwan (155.4)
• Fabricio Camoes (156.2) vs. Torrance Taylor (155.8)
• Spencer Herns (180.6) vs. Chad Sutton (184)

Bellator 7 Weigh-In Results (Chicago, IL).

• 170: Lyman Good (171) vs. Jorge Ortiz (170)
• 170: Omar De La Cruz (169.5) vs. Dave Menne (171)
• Lorenzo Borgomeo (154) vs. Troy Gerhart (155.5)
• Eddie Sanchez (231) vs. Jay White (259)
• Alonzo Martinez (157) vs. Victor Meza (156)
• DeRay Davis (171) vs. Jesse Juarez (171.5)
• Anthony Lapsley (171) vs. Ryan Williams (170)
• Kevin Knabjian (171) vs. Jacob Volkman (171)
• Leslie Smith (136) vs. Kerry Vera (136)

MFC 21: Hard Knocks Weigh-In Results (Edmonton, Canada)

• Trevor Prangley (205.5) vs. Emanuel Newton (204.5)
  MFC Light Heavyweight Championship
• Mike Cook (234.0) vs. Bobby Lashley (249.0)
• David Heath (205.5) vs. Travis Galbraith (205.0)
• Andrew Buckland (171.0) vs. John Alessio (169.5)
• Mychal Clark (205.0) vs. Ryan Jimmo (205.0)
• Marvin Eastman (204.0) vs. Aron Lofton (205.5)
• William Richey (232.5) vs. Ryan Fortin (262.5)
• Jeremy Combrink (170.5) vs. Jason Heit (170.5)
• Dwayne Lewis (203.5) vs. Jay Whitford (214.5)
• Nolan Clarke (170.0) vs. George Belanger (170.0)

Kim Couture

PRESS RELEASE: NEW YORK (April 20, 2009)—Mixed martial arts (MMA) upstart Kim “Sugar Free” Couture (1-1), wife of MMA legend Randy Couture, will take a major step up in competition when she squares off with fearsome submission expert Miesha Tate (5-1) in a live SHOWTIME-televised 135-pound limit contest at the inaugural SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers event at Fresno, California’s Save Mart Center on Friday, May 15.

SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers is a proving ground for up-and-coming MMA fighters. SHO MMA provides today’s top prospects with the opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate their ability in a nationally televised event.

In addition, Aaron Rosa (11-2) will face Anthony “A Train” Ruiz (21-12) in a light heavyweight (205-pound limit) fight on a fight card headlined by undefeated lightweight (155-pound limit) Billy Evangelista (9-0) versus BJ Penn protégé “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1).

The SHOWTIME telecast will air live beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and feature up to five live fights.

“I think she’s definitely in for a surprise and this is going to be a little bit over her head,” said the 22-year-old Tate, who has been on a tear of late, stopping each of her last three opponents in the first round.

“I do respect the fact that she chose to fight me,” said Tate, who is considered a veteran over the inexperienced Couture. “I think she’s really tough and, at heart, she’s a fighter. She wants to fight people who are going to push her.”

A native of Olympia, Wash., Tate was introduced to wrestling during her teen years when a girlfriend convinced her to join their all-boys high school wrestling team. Tate’s passion for the sport developed as she learned. Eventually, wrestling led Tate to join the MMA club at Central Washington University.

Last year, Tate enlisted with Victory Athletics, the elite fight squad headed by MMA star and two-time Matt Hughes conqueror Dennis “Superman” Hallman.

“He’s got so much to offer technically,” she said about her mentor. “He comes from a wrestling background so his fighting style is very similar to the one I want to develop.”

The 33-year-old Couture said, “(Tate)’s been wrestling for a long time and I’ve only been wrestling for four years, but I’ve been learning from Randy Couture.

“My training partners are Xtreme Couture fighters so I feel like I have the Cliff Notes I need to be successful in this fight. I’ve been pushed and supported by the best guys in the business.”

Couture earned her first professional victory by pummeling an overmatched Lina Kvokov in the first round of their Strikeforce meeting at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 21, 2008. The victory came shortly after she had adopted K-1 superstar Ray Sefo as her new kickboxing trainer.

It is in the area of punching and kicking that Couture feels she will have the upper hand against Tate.

”Her stand up is not strong. Before she gets to the clinch or a takedown, she’s going to have to get past my hands,” said Couture. “My Muay Thai is really good right now and I’m very confident that, if we get to the clinch, she’s gonna have a hard time taking me down.”

Rosa, of San Antonio, Tex., was victorious in his first 10 starts as a professional. Following two straight defeats, he stopped Ron “Killing” Fields in the second round in Chicago, Ill., on June 14, 2008.

The 31-year-old Ruiz, a former Strikeforce light heavyweight championship challenger, last saw action at Strikeforce’s second event at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., where he lost a unanimous decision to former South African national wrestling champion Trevor Prangley.

Tickets for the first SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers event are on sale at the Save Mart Center box office and select Save Mart Supermarkets as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

• Kazuo Misaki def. Joe Riggs via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:29
• Josh Thomson def. Ashe Bowman via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:14
• Terry Martin def. Cory Devela via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:08
• Mitsuhiro Ishida def. Justin Wilcox via submission (armbar) – Round1, 1:21
• Trevor Prangley def. Anthony Ruiz via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
• Luke Stewart def. Jesse Juarez via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:55
• Eric Lawson def. Kenneth Seegrist via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 3:07
• Brandon Magana def. Brandon Thatch via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Dave Martin def. Jesse Gillespie via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

• Kazuo Misaki (185) vs. Joe Riggs (181.5)
• Ashe Bowman (154.5) vs. Josh Thomson (155.5)
• Mitsuhiro Ishida (156) vs. Justin Wilcox (155)
• Cory Devela (185.5) vs. Terry Martin (185.5)
• Trevor Prangley (203) vs. Anthony Ruiz (204)
• Jesse Juarez (171) vs. Luke Stewart (169.5)
• Eric Lawson (184.5) vs. Kenneth Seegrist (183)
• Brandon Magana (172) vs. Brandon Thatch (170.5)
• Jesse Gillespie (194) vs. Dave Martin (190.5)

Strikeforce at the Mansion 2 takes place tonight, Saturday, September 20th, 2008, at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California beginning at 9pm ET.

The Strikeforce at the Mansion 2 card features:

• Kazuo Misaki vs. Joe Riggs
• Josh Thomson vs. Ashe Bowman
• Anthony Ruiz vs. Trevor Prangley
• Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Justin Wilcox
• Cory Devela vs. Terry Martin

For more on Strikeforce at the Mansion 2 check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

MMAJunkie.com confirmed the injury late-Tuesday with Strikeforce’s Mike Afromowitz.

A replacement has not yet been named and no timetable for the former light heavyweight challenger’s return has yet been determined.

Sobral was originally to challenge Bobby Southworth for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title but Southworth was forced off the card due to a knee injury and replaced by Ruiz.

Now Strikeforce will seek a replacement for “Babalu”, who had been the largest draw on a card that once held promise with two title fights featuring Southworth and lightweight champion Josh Thomson but now features an underwhelming main event featuring UFC veteran Joe Riggs against PRIDE vet Kazuo Misaki that is joined by matchups with little to no starpower.

Strikeforce at the Mansion 2 takes place on September 19th at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California and will be streamed live on Sherdog.com.

The 38-year-old Southworth sustained the knee injury during a routine training session at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose. A physician, who pinpointed the affected areas, has ordered Southworth to undergo an MRI exam to determine the extent of the damage and to go through four to six weeks of physical therapy.

Ruiz, a 30-year-old resident of Modesto, California, is coming off a July 26th unanimous judges’ decision victory over Jeremy Freitag.

Ruiz holds a 1-1 record against Southworth. After their initial meeting, a non-title bout on November 16, 2007, was stopped 52 seconds into the second round due to a cut Ruiz had opened around Southworth’s eye, Ruiz was awarded a win by TKO.

Southworth avenged the loss by legging out a five-round, unanimous judges’ decision over Ruiz at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on June 27th.

“Strikeforce At The Mansion II” will be highlighted by a showdown between 2006 Pride Fighting Championship Grand Prix winner and world top 10 ranked, Kazuo “Grabaka Hitman” Misaki (20-8-2), and 25-year-old former UFC star, Joe “Diesel “Riggs (28-10).

Twenty-four year old thoroughbred Cory “The One” Devela (9-1) will bid for his eighth consecutive victory when he takes on what is arguably his most dangerous challenge to date, heavy-handed Terry Martin (17-5), in a middleweight (185 lb. limit) contest

Newly crowned Strikeforce World Lightweight (155 lb. limit) Champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) will also return to action in a three-round, non-title matchup with Lion’s Den prodigy Ashe Bowman (10-4).

The eleven-bout event took place on Saturday, July 26th, at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.

Newly-crowned EliteXC heavyweight champion Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva was the highest paid fighter of the event, taking home $200,000 for his second-round TKO victory which aired on Showtime. EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler received $90,000 for successfully defending his 185-pound title in the night’s main event, new EliteXC welterweight title-holder Jake Shields earned $45,000 for his first-round submission win, and Stockton-native Nick Diaz took home $60,000 for his TKO victory.

“Unfinished Business” had a paid attendance of just 3,701 and a total attendance of 6,572 for a live gate of $268,715. 2,023 tickets, worth $206,155, went unsold while $340,960 worth of tickets were given away.

The disclosed payroll for the event was $533,501.

The salaries listed below represent the official fighter salaries as reported by the promoter to the CSAC and do not include some bonuses, fees, or sponsorships.

Robbie Lawler def. Scott Smith
Lawler — $90,000 ($45,000/$45,0000)
Smith — $14,000

Nick Diaz def. Thomas Denny
Diaz — $60,000
Denny — $8,500

Jake Shields def. Nick Thompson
Shields — $45,000 ($35,000/$10,000)
Thompson — $25,000

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos def. Shayna Baszler
Santos — $6,000 ($3,000/$3,000)
Baszler — $8,000

David Douglas def. Marlon Mathias
Douglas — $4,000 ($2,500/$1,500)
Mathias — $2,500

Antonio Silva def. Justin Eilers
Silva — $200,000 ($100,000/$100,000)
Eilers — $20,000

Rafael Feijao def. Travis Galbraith
Feijao — $20,000 ($10,000/$10,000)
Galbraith — $5,000

Wilson Reis def. Brian Caraway
Reis — $5,000 ($2,500/$2,500)
Caraway — $2,000

Anthony Ruiz def. Jeremy Freitag
Ruiz — $5,001 ($2,001/$3000)
Freitag — $2,500

Carl Seumanutafa def. Mike Cook
Seumanutafa — $4,000 ($2,000/$2,000)
Cook — $2,000

Drew Montgomery def. Brandon Tarn
Montgomery — $3,000 ($1,500/$1,500)
Tarn — $2,000