The heavy-handed Johnson (13-3), a 6-foot-4 inch, 250-pound resident of nearby Madera, will face off with another highly touted prospect, undefeated Lolohea Mahe (4-0-1) of Wailua, Maui in the STRIKEFORCE cage.

Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event, priced from $30, go on sale on Monday, Feb. 1, at the Save Mart Center box office and select Save Mart Supermarkets, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com ) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com ).

“My health is great and I’m almost back to where I was,” said Johnson. In his last start in the cage, Johnson crushed Carl Seumanutafa in just 18 seconds with a single punch at the first-ever STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at Save Mart Center on May 15, 2009.

After being struck down by the gunfire that also led to the death of a cousin, Johnson, a father of two boys, ages eight and five, spent one month in hospital care and lost approximately 60 pounds.

Months of physical rehabilitation followed and, one month ago, Johnson was cleared by a physician to return to training with trainer Jasper Tayaba and Team Buhawe in Fresno

“(The experience) made me realize how fragile life is and that every day I’m here is a blessing. It has also made me take MMA more seriously.”

In other action on the STRIKEFORCE Challengers card, “Abongo” Humphrey (5-1) of Atlanta, Ga., will square off with George Bush III (5-1) of Columbus, Ohio, at light heavyweight (205 pounds).

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Luke Stewart (6-2) of San Francisco, California will make his long-awaited return to action against Andre Galvao (3-1) of Brazil in a welterweight (170 pounds) contest.

Unbeaten Zoila Frausto (2-0) of Fresno will face off at 135 pounds with another one of the top prospects in the women’s field, Miesha “Takedown” Tate (7-2) of Olympia, Washington.

American Kickboxing Academy bred wrestling stud Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (8-3) of San Jose, Calif., will do battle with Bryan Travers (13-1) of Bakersfield, Calif., at lightweight (155 pounds).

Save Mart Center doors will open for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at 6 p.m. PT. The first live, non-televised, preliminary bout will begin at 6:45 p.m.

The live SHOWTIME® telecast will begin at 11:45 p.m. ET/ PT (delayed on the west coast).

For the latest Strikeforce news and Strikeforce rumors stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.

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)

Sarah Kaufman

PRESS RELEASE — Undefeated power puncher Sarah Kaufman (8-0) will fill the void left by Kim “Sugar Free” Couture and throw down with fellow rising star Miesha Tate (6-1) in a 135-pound contest during the SHOWTIME televised portion of the inaugural Strikeforce Challengers mixed martial arts (MMA) event at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., on Friday, May 15.

Couture’s withdrawal last week created an ideal opportunity for the 23-year-old Kaufman, who is in fighting form after stopping Sara Schneider in the second round of their matchup on April 23. Kaufman has never been taken the distance in a professional fight.

“I’m very excited about this fight because I’ve been hearing about Miesha Tate for quite a while,” said Kaufman, a former dancer who hails from British Columbia, Canada. “I know she has good wrestling and she’s been pretty active. She’s probably going to want to take the fight to the ground and I’ll want to stay standing so it should be an interesting matchup.”

Punching and kicking opponents is a far cry from Kaufman’s former passion. She’s been dancing since the ripe age of two. At eight years old, the five-foot, five-inch Kaufman joined a dance company and soon after began performing in musicals, dancing to everything from ballet to jazz to hip-hop.

It was a few years ago that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Adam Zugec opened an MMA school directly underneath the dance studio where Kaufman practiced daily. After trying a single aerobic kickboxing class, she quickly gravitated towards martial arts.

“I’m very competitive by nature so I just pushed myself and eventually started competing in grappling tournaments,” explained Kaufman.

“One day, an opportunity to fight came up so it just seemed like the next logical step for me at that point. There wasn’t anywhere else I could go with dance unless I wanted to turn professional so I put the dancing aside.”

Since her professional MMA debut three years ago, Kaufman has added a breath of athleticism as well as credibility to the women’s field of competitors in the sport with the speed and force of her hands.

“I have the ability to put a lot of punches together because my conditioning is always really strong. I let my hands go and, at the same time, I don’t mind taking a shot to give a shot so I think that’s why I’ve performed the way I have so far.”

Whereas Tate was regarded a heavy favorite in the matchup with Couture, she will enter the cage as an underdog against her new, unbeaten opponent.

“I like being the underdog because I have everything to gain and nothing to lose,” 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 think (Kaufman)’s in for a surprise because she’s probably figuring that she’s beaten opponents that fight similar to me. But, she hasn’t fought me yet.”

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.”

Tickets for the first 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).

Undefeated lightweight (155 lb. limit) sensation Billy Evangelista (9-0) will face off with hard-hitting brawler and BJ Penn protégé “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1) in the main event live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from the Save Mart Center.

Also on the SHOWTIME telecast, Aaron Rosa (11-2) will meet Anthony “A Train” Ruiz (21-12) in a light heavyweight (205-pound limit) fight while Lavar “Big” Johnson (11-3) will square off with Carl Seumanutafa (4-2).

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

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).

Gina Carano

• Eddie Alvarez, Jorge Masvidal, and Dave Herman will be the featured fighters for Bellator’s fifth event on May 1st in Dayton, Ohio. Complete Bellator lineups are available in the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.
• Former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho will be moving up to light heavyweight to compete at DREAM 9 on May 26th in Japan against an opponent to be named. [Tatame]
• Conor Huen, who last week appeared on MTV’s Bully Beatdown, is likely to fight at Strikeforce’s June 6th event in St. Louis. [MMA Junkie]
• Seven-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and DREAM welterweight grand prix participant Andre Galvao will soon make his Strikeforce debut. [MMA Junkie]
• Kim Couture and Miesha Tate will square off in a 135-pound women’s bout at ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers 1 on May 15th in Fresno, California.
• Daiki Hata has been forced out of the DREAM featherweight quarterfinals due to an eye injury and will be replaced by Hideo Tokoro, who he defeated in the grand prix’s opening round. DREAM also announced this week the matchups for the quarterfinals, which feature Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Joe Warren, Bibiano Fernandes vs. Masakazu Imanari, Yoshiro Maeda vs. Hiroyuki Takaya, and Abel Cullum vs. Hideo Tokoro.
• Tim Sylvia’ and Ray Mercer’s scheduled boxing headliner for Adrenaline MMA’s third event in Alabama will take place in an MMA cage. [MMA Junkie]
• Charles “Mask” Lewis, the co-founder of TapouT who recent died in a car accident, was free of drugs and alcohol at the time of the wreck. [OC Register]
• Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz drew an official attendace of 15,211 to the HP Pavilion in San Jose on Saturday for a live gate pegged unofficially at $750,000.
• Benji Radach suffered a “shattered” right hand in his Saturday Strikeforce loss to Scott Smith and underwent surgery immediately following the fight to repair the damage. [MMA Junkie]
• The highly-anticipated women’s fight between Gina Carano and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos is likely to take place in August in Strikeforce with the winner being crowned the promotion’s first-ever  female champion.
• As expected, Kevin Randleman has officially signed with Strikeforce and will soon make his debut of the promotion.
• A light heavyweight bout pitting Travis Wiuff against Stanislav Nedkov has been added to Sengoku Eighth Battle on May 2nd in Japan.
• The WEC is considering holding a future event in Ohio. [Dayton Daily News]

The event featured a Strikeforce lightweight championship bout between title-holder Gilbert Melendez and challenger Josh Thomson and a Strikeforce light heavyweight championship fight between reigning-champion Bobby Southworth and challenger Anthony Ruiz.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for the latest Strikeforce news.

QUICK RESULTS

• Josh Thomson def. Gilbert Melendez (c) via unanimous decision
  Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
• Billy Evangelista def. Nam Phan via split decision
• Bobby Southworth (c) def. Anthony Ruiz via unanimous decision
  Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship
• Miesha Tate def. Elaina Maxwell via unanimous decision
• Jeremiah Metcalf def. Raymond Daniels via submission – Round 2, 0:59
• Chris Cariaso def. Anthony Figueroa via submission – Round 2, 4:34
• Bobby Stack def. Jose Palacios via unanimous decision
• Brian Caraway def. Alvin Cacdac via submission – Round 1, 1:39
• Eric Lawson def. Jesse Gillespie via submission – Round 1, 1:03
• Cyrillo Padhillo def. Jesse Jones via unanimous decision
• Jorge Interiano def. Travis Johnson via TKO – Round 2, 3:00
• Alexander Trivino def. Eric Jacob via submission – Round 1, 0:37

Continue reading for complete, round-by-round results from Strikeforce 10 “Melendez vs. Thomson”…

ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

JOSH THOMSON DEF. GILBERT MELENDEZ (c)
Strikeforce Lightweight Championship

ROUND 1 – Melendez throws a jab early as the fighters circle one another. Melenez closes the distance and presses Thomson to the cage. Thomson connects with a knee then secures an early takedown. Thomson presses Melendez against the cage and works ground and pound. Mlendez gets away from the cage and keeps Thomson is half guard but is able to do little from the bottom. Melendez reverses on top of Thomson then they return to their feet. Kick by Thomson misses. They trade punches before the opening round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Thomson.

ROUND 2 – Thomson connects with a series of kicks and knees to open the second round. Melendez clinches and presses Thomson against the cage. Melendez lands a right out of the clinch. Thomson presses the pace and fires more kicks and punches at Melendez. Melendez closes and lands several punches then Thomson lands another kick. Knee to the body by Thomson followed by a spinning back kick. Thomson secures a late takedown just before the round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Thomson.

ROUND 3 – Thomson connects with a barrage of punches, kicks, and knees then Metlendez quickly counters with a solid combination of his own. Leg kick by Thomson. Melendez lands a combination. More leg kicks by the challenger. They go back-and-forth with strikes. Right by Melendez connects. Thomson secures a takedown. Melendez escapes back to his feet. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Thomson.

ROUND 4 – Melendez connects quickly with a combination. Thomson counters with a hard kick. More kicks by Thomson. Melendez returns with more punches but they’re countered by more effective kicks by Thomson. Thomson takes Melendez’s back and works for a rear naked choke but he runs out of time. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Thomson.

ROUND 5 – More kicks by Thomson to open the final frame. Melendez throws punches but they don’t connect. Thomson secures a takedown and takes Melendez’s back but they scramble and return to their feet. They trade strikes as Thomson continue to dominate the bout. Melendez connects with a combination then Thomson rocks Melendez. Thomson briefly takes him to the ground but they’re quickly back on their feet. Thomson presses him against the cage and rides out the final seconds of the bout. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Thomson and the bout 50-45.

Josh Thomson defeats Gilbert Melendez via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

BILLY EVANGELISTA DEF. NAM PHAN

ROUND 1 – Phan starts quickly with punches. Evangelista counters then secures a takedown. Evangelista works from Phan’s guard and connects with punches. Phan attempts to return to his feet but Evangelista keeps him on the ground. Evangelista connects with a hard punch that is followed by more ground and pound. Evangelista dominates the remainder of the round, keeping Phan on the ground pressed against the cage. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Evangelista.

ROUND 2 – Leg kicks by Evangelista to open the second round. Phan connects with several on-target combinations. Evangelista shoots for a takedown but Phan defends and remains on his feet. The fighters clinch against the fence then separate in favor of striking. Both fighters missing with big punches. Evangelista loses his mouth guard in the exchange and we briefly pause while it’s replaced. Evangelista works for another takedown but Phan successfully defends. Evangelista persists and eventually secures the takedown, working Phan’s guard. Evangelista is cut on his head. Evangelista keeps Phan under control for the remainder of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Phan.

ROUND 3 – The fighters trade punches to open the final round then Evangelista shoots for a takedown. Phan defends and the fighters clinch then separate and trade hard strikes. Evangelista attempts another takedown against the cage and, despite Phan’s best efforts, he’s eventually successful. Evangelista controls Phan on the ground from his guard, peppering him with intermitent punches. Referee Herb Dean stands them up and both fighters trade strikes. Phan connects with a solid combination that rocks Evangelista but he recovers and rides out the remainder of the bout. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Evangelista and the bout 29-28 Evangelista.

Billy Evangelista defeats Nam Phan via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

BOBBY SOUTHWORTH (c) DEF. ANTHONY RUIZ
Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship

ROUND 1 – The fighters circle around the cage before Southworth secures an early takedown. On the ground he peppers Ruiz with strikes and moves to side control. He takes Ruiz’s back and looks for the rear naked choke. Ruiz fends him off and escapes into Southworth’s guard. Ruiz tries to move Southworth against the fence but he escapes and they both return to their feet and clinch. Southworth secures a takedown and moves to side control. Southworth secures a tight armbar but Ruiz escapes. Southworth works an omoplata and triangle choke before the opening round finished. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Southworth.

ROUND 2 – Kick and punch to the body by Ruiz to open the second round as he stalks Southworth. He closes the distance and clicnhes against the fence. Ruiz secures a takedown, landing in Southworth’s guard. Ruiz presses him against the cage but Southworth returns to his feet but Ruiz takes him back to the ground. They are again back on their feet briefly before Southworth secures a takedown and transitions into side control. Ruiz gives up his back as Southworth throws punches from the dominant position. They scramble and Ruiz lands in Southworth’s guard. Ruiz works punches to the body but Southworth briefly secures a triangle choke then transitions to side control. He controls Ruiz on the ground for the final seconds of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Ruiz.

ROUND 3 – Ruiz throws punches to open the third round then secures a takedown. From Southworth’s guard Ruiz presses him against the cage and throws strikes on the ground before they get back to their feet and clinch. Southworth secures a takedown and lands in half guard. Southworth captures full mount and Ruiz gives up his back. Ruiz is bleeding from his nose but is able to reverse into Southworth’s guard. Ruiz connects from the top and Southworth counters with a hard punch from the bottom. Southworth works back to his feet but Ruiz connects with some hard knees. Southworth secures another takedown and works from Ruiz’s guard for the final seconds of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Southworth.

ROUND 4 – Ruiz is pressing forward but is caught with a knee. Southworth secures a takedown and quickly has full mount. Ruiz escapes to his knees but Southworth pins him against the fence and throws punches to his head. Both fighters get back to their feet and Ruiz connects with a low knee. Southworth secures another takedown but Ruiz again escapes back to his feet. Ruiz backs away and looks to strike but Southworth connects with a hard knee-punch combo. Ruiz scores a takedown. Southworth works a kimura from the bottom, but Ruiz is able to escape the hold and get back to his feet. Southworth secures another takedown before the end of the fourth round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Southworth.

ROUND 5 – Ruiz is looking for the knockout but he’s unable to connect and Southworth secures another takedown. Ruiz attempts a guillotine from the bottom but he’s in a bad position and Southworth escapes into side control. Ruiz rolls away and both fighters return to their feet. They clinch against the fence and Southworth gets yet another takedown and moves to half guard. Ruiz works knees to the body from the bottom. Southwork controls Ruiz and looks to pass to side control but Ruiz defends. Southworth takes his backs and rides out the final seconds of the bout. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Southworth and the bout 49-46 Southworth.

Bobby Southworth defeats Anthony Ruiz via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 50-45)

ELAINA MAXWELL DEF. MIESHA TATE

ROUND 1 – Tate secures a quick takedown and lands in Maxwell’s guard. Maxwell looks for a triangle from the bottom. Tate passes to half guard then transitions to full mount. She lands several punches from the top before Maxwell ties her up and uses the cage to avoid most of the damage. Maxwell attempts to escape but is caught in an armbar. Maxwell is unable to escape from the hold but Tate can’t finish Maxwell off before the first round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Tate.

ROUND 2 – Tate secures another quick takedown and lands in Maxwell’s guard. High guard by Maxwell as she looks to set up the triangle but Tate again captures full mount. Tate connects with a series of punches from the top before Maxwell uses her legs to escape the mount but Tate ends up back on top before the second round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Tate.

ROUND 3 – Tate rushes in again and looks for another takedown but Maxwell stays against the fence and is able to remain on her feet. The referee restarts them and Tate again rushes in. They head to the ground and Maxwell takes Tate’s back. She works for a rear naked choke then an armbar but runs out of time. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Maxwell and the bout 29-28 Tate.

Miesha Tate defeats Elaina Maxwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

JEREMIAH METCALF DEF. RAYMOND DANIELS

ROUND 1 – Metcalf clinches with Daniels to open the fight and works for a takedown. Daniels is able to momentarily defend but Metcalf ultimately secures the takedown. Metcalf falls into a guillotine but quickly escapes and moves to mount. From the top Metcalf fires punches but Daniels survives and is saved by the bell. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-8 Metcalf.

ROUND 2 – Metcalf clinches with Daniels again to open the second round and secures a takedown. Metcalf gets to mount and drops punches from the top then looks for a triangle choke. Daniels rolls and Metcalf takes his back then secures a rear naked choke that forces the kickboxer Daniels to tap out in his MMA debut at 0:59 of round two.

Jeremiah Metcalf defeats Raymond Daniels via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 0:59

CHRIS CARIASO DEF. ANTHONY FIGUEROA

ROUND 1 – After dodging an early head kick by Figueroa Cariaso secures a takedown. Cariaso lands several shots from the top before transitioning to side control then mount. From the mount Cariaso looks for a submission but Figueroa escapes. Cariaso secures another takedown then moves to side control where he connects with a knee to the body of Figueroa. Figueroa scrambles back to his feet before the end of the opening round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Cariaso.

ROUND 2 – Cariaso secures another early takedown and works to half guard but Figueroa is able to regain full guard. Cariaso transitions to mount and initially looks for a submission before throwing punches from the top. Figueroa rolls and gives up his back and Cariaso capitalizes, sinking in a rear naked choke to force Figueroa to tap out at 4:34.

Chris Cariaso def. Anthony Figueroa via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 4:34

BOBBY STACK DEF. JOSE PALACIOS

ROUND 1 – Stack comes out swinging but misses. Stack keeps the pressure on but Palacios knocks out Stack’s mouthpiece with a hard right. Stack looks for a takedown but Palacios fends it off. Stack attempts another takedown and is successful on his second attempt, landing in Palacios’ guard. Stack lands several punches before the opening round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Palacios.

ROUND 2 – Stack secures a quick takedown and again works from Palacios’ guard. Stack is unable to connect with much while Palacios works submissions from the bottom. Palacio attempts to escape but is caught in an armbar. He’s able to escape and transitions to the top before the round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Stack.

ROUND 3 -Stack again secures a quick takedown then moves to full mount. Stack lands several solid punches from the top before Palacios escapes but ultimately ends up on his back again with Stack in his guard. Stack lands several final shots before the bout concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Stack and the bout 29-28 Stack.

Bobby Stack def. Jose Palacios via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

BRIAN CARAWAY DEF. ALVIN CACDAC

ROUND 1 -Caraway rushes in and secures a quick takedown. Caraway takes Cacdac’s back and locks in a rear naked choke. Cacdac attempts to defend but Caraway forces Cacdac to tap out at 1:39.

Brian Caraway def. Alvin Cacdac via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 1:39

JESSE GILLESPIE VS. ERIC LAWSON

CYRILLO PADHILLO DEF. JESSE JONES

ROUND 1 – The fighters quickly clinch and Padhillo scores an early takedown. On the ground, Jones closes guard then returns to his feet during an attempted pass to side control by Padhillo. Back on their feet, Padhillo connects with a big punch then clinches with Jones and works for another takedown before the round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Padhillo.

ROUND 2 – Jones and Padhillo trade kicks to open the second then clinch. Padhillo secures another takedown and works punches and knees from the top before they stall and are stood up. Back on their feet Padhillo taunts Jones but Jones is unable to connect before the round comes to a close. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Padhillo.

ROUND 3 – An early takedown is stuffed then Jones connects with a hard right that sends Padhillo to the mat. Jones continues to land strikes before Padhillo is able to bring him to the ground and sweep into the top position. Padhillo recovers before they stall and are restarted on their feet. Padhillo secures a late takedown and works more knees to the tailbone of Jones before the bout concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Jones and the bout 29-28 Padhillo.

Cyrillo Padhillo def. Jesse Jones via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

JORGE INTERIANO DEF. TRAVIS JOHNSON

ROUND 1 – The fighters trade kicks to start the bout. Interiano is the aggressor and looks to press the action while Johnson looks to evade and find an opening. Interiano finishes off the round with a solid combination that hurts Johnson. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Interiano.

ROUND 2 – Interiano is aggressive to start the second and pushes the pace. Johnson connects but Interiano counters with a punch to the body. Johnson trips but returns to his feet. Interiano continues to stalk Johnson around the cage and opens up a cut under his right eye with a combination. Johnson looks to back away but Interiano is relentless and continues to connect with punches, rocking Johnson as the second round comes to a close. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Interiano.

Jorge Interiano def. Travis Johnson via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00

ALEXANDER TRIVINO DEF. ERIC JACOB

ROUND 1 – Jacob scores a quick takedown but on the ground Travino secures a fight-ending armbar that forces Jacob to tap out at 0:37.

Alexander Trivino def. Eric Jacob via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 0:37

STRIKEFORCE “MELENDEZ VS. THOMSON” BETTING ODDS

• Gilbert Melendez (-500) vs. Josh Thomson (+350)
• Bobby Southworth (-260) vs. Anthony Ruiz (+200)
• Nam Phan (-140) vs. Billy Evangelista (+110)
• Elaina Maxwell (-330) vs. Miesha Tate (+260)
• Luke Stewart (NA) vs. Drew Fickett (NA)

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