Also on the Showtime televised main card, Strikeforce newcomer Kerry Vera earned a first round TKO victory over Kim Couture, Bobby Voekler weathered an early storm to defeat Erik Apple with a second round TKO, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante bounced back from his previous loss, defeating Aaron Rosa via second round TKO, and Kevin Casey submitted Chad Vance in the opening round.

The complete results for Strikeforce Challengers 5 were:

• Tyron Woodley def. Rudy Bears via submission (arm triangle) — 2:52 Round 1
• Kerry Vera def. Kim Couture via TKO (strikes) — 3:35 Round 1
• Bobby Voelker def. Erik Apple via TKO (strikes) — 1:23 Round 2
• Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante def. Aaron Rosa via TKO (strikes) — Round 2
• Kevin Casey def. Chad Vance via submission (rear naked choke) — 1:41 Round 1
• Lee Gibson def. Joe Wilk via TKO (strikes) — 4:39 Round 1
• Brian Davidson def. Russel Patrick via TKO (strikes) — 0:29 Round 1
• Nick Nolte def. Andrew Waters via submission (triangle choke) — 3:45 Round 1
• Darryl Cobb def. Gary Tapasua via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Mike Chandler def. Rich Bouphanouvong via TKO (strikes) — 2:07 Round 2
• Lucas Lopes def. Dominic Brown via TKO (strikes) — 0:45 Round 2

Pictured: Tyron Woodley and Rudy Bears

The event takes place at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas and airs live on Showtime at 11pm ET (delayed on west coast).

The card’s complete weigh-in results were:

MAIN CARD

• 170: Tyron Woodley (171) vs. Rudy Bears (170)
• 135: Kerry Vera (135) vs. Kim Couture (136)
• 170: Erik Apple (170.5) vs. Bobby Voelker (170)
• 205: Aaron Rosa (206) vs. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (205)
• 185: Kevin Casey (185) vs. Chad Vance (185)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• 155: Lee Gibson (155) vs. Joe Wilk (155.5)
• 145: Brian Davidson (147) vs. Russell Patrick (144)
• 170: Andrew Walters (171) vs. Nick Nolte (171)
• 185: Darryl Cobb (184) vs. Gary Tapasua (185)
• 165: Mike Chandler (166) vs. Rich Bouphanouvong (164)
• 190: Dominic Brown (190) vs. Lucas Lopes (191.4)

Stop back to MMAFrenzy.com tomorrow for Strikeforce Challengers 5 results and also be sure to check out a photo gallery from today’s weigh-ins.

Pictured: Tyron Woodley and Rudy Bears

Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem, who has yet to fight again for the promotion since winning the title in November 2007, returned to MMA action overseas over the weekend, dominating Tony Sylvester at Ultimate Glory 11 in Amsterdam, Netherlands before finishing the fight with a guillotine choke in just 83-seconds. Overeem will fight again this weekend at DREAM 12 against James Thomson before he’s expected to return to Strikeforce to defend the title.

Pictured: Alistair Overeem

• Joining Kimbo Slice and the previously rumored fighters on The Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights, according to a rumored list of cast members that has circulated in recent days, will be Jim York, Justin Wren, Mike Wessel, Scott Junk, Zak Jensen, Darrill Schoonover, Jon Madsen, Tom Blackledge, and Abe Wagner.
• Andrei Arlovski has received a 60-day medical suspension following his first-round knockout loss to Brett Rogers at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields on June 6, which has forced his boxing debut, which was to take place on June 27, to be postponed. Rafael Calvacante, who suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mike Kyle on the event’s preliminary card, was also suspended for 60 days.
• The first UFC Gym, whose features will include an “Arm Bar” with snacks and drinks, is set to open in Concord, California.
• After making critical remarks about Miletich Fighting Systems following his UFC 98 wins, Drew McFedries has been kicked out of the gym.
• Urijah Faber has been medically suspended until December 4th after suffering a broken right hand in his WEC 41 loss to Mike Brown on June 7.
• Lightweight contenders Ricardo Lamas and Danny Castillo will meet at WEC 42 in August.
• Randy Couture will train and corner Gina Carano for her Strikeforce 145-pound title bout against Cris Cyborg on August 15 in San Jose. Tickets for the event went on sale today and start at just $30.
• During a Q&A session before the UFC 99 weigh-ins, UFC President Dana White said he’s interested in signing Josh Barnett if he beats Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction: Trilogy in August.
• At the post-UFC 99 press conference on Saturday, Wanderlei Silva called for a rematch with Rich Franklin after suffering a close unanimous decision loss in the UFC 99 headliner. Dana White, meanwhile, wants Franklin to move back up to light heavyweight for a run at the 205-pound title.
• The UFC will host an event in the UK in October and the promotion is planning to hold 2 events in Canada in 2010, Dana White announced during the UFC 99 Q&A.
• At the post-UFC 99 press conference, welterweight contender Mike Swick said he’d “love to fight Matt Hughes”.
• A UFC 100 viewing party will be held at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on July 11 with Frankie Edgar and Matt Hamill scheduled as special guests.
• Weigh-ins for The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale will take place this Friday at 4pm PT (7pm ET) at the Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas.
• Heavyweights Todd Duffee and Mike Russow are likely to fight at UFC 102 on August 29 in Portland, Oregon.
• Despite a planned appeal from Mostapha Al-Turk over his TKO loss to Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 99 on Saturday that was setup by an accidental eye poke, UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner announced on Monday that an appeal was not possible as it was a judgment call made by referee Dan Mirgliotta.
• Weigh-ins for Friday’s Showtime-televised Strikeforce Challengers event at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington will take place on Thursday at the venue’s Club Lounge and are free and open to the public.

[Pictured: Josh Barnett and Fedor Emelianenko]

8,867 fans attended the Showtime-televised event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Following the win, which improved Shields’ record to 23-4-1, the former EliteXC welterweight champion called for a middleweight title bout against Strikeforce champ Cung Le. Le, however, is not expected to defend his title for the indefinite future while pursuing a movie career and Shields may be forced to face another opponent for an interim title before Le returns. Lawler, a former EliteXC middleweight champion, falls to 18-5 following the defeat.

Heavyweight contender Brett Rogers needed just 22-seconds to knockout Andrei Arlovski with a flurry of punches in the Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields co-headliner. Rogers, who improved to 10-0 with the win, will next meet Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem on a future Strikeforce card, while Arlovski’s future is less certain after falling to 15-7 with his second-straight knockout loss.

In other main card action, Nick Diaz overwhelmed Scott Smith with punches over two full rounds before forcing Smith to tap to a rear naked choke in the third and Joe Riggs and Mike Whitehead picked up unanimous decision victories over Phil Baroni and Kevin Randleman respectively.

SEE ALSO: Carano-Cyborg, Thomson-Melendez II Set For August 15 Strikeforce Event

The Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields results were:

• Jake Shields def. Robbie Lawler via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1. 2:02
• Brett Rogers def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:22
• Nick Diaz def. Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:41
• Joe Riggs def. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mike Whitehead def. Kevin Randleman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 1:55
• Mike Kyle def. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:05
• Booker DeRousse def. James Wade via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:06
• Tyron Woodley def. Sal Woods via submission (north-south choke) — Round 1, 4:20
• Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (illegal knee) — Round 1, 3:26
• Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran via submission (triangle choke) — Round 1, 2:18

[Pictured: Jake Shields]

The event’s preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 7:45pm ET with the main, Showtime-televised card, headlined by a catchweight showdown between Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields, commencing at 10pm ET.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com all night for live results, plus stop by after the fights for extensive post-fight coverage.

STRIKEFORCE: LAWLER VS. SHIELDS RESULTS

• Jake Shields def. Robbie Lawler via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1. 2:02
• Brett Rogers def. Andrei Arlovski via KO (punches) — Round 1, 0:22
• Nick Diaz def. Scott Smith via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:41
• Joe Riggs def. Phil Baroni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mike Whitehead def. Kevin Randleman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jesse Finney def. Josh Bumgarner via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 1:55
• Mike Kyle def. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:05
• Booker DeRousse def. James Wade via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:06
• Tyron Woodley def. Sal Woods via submission (north-south choke) — Round 1, 4:20
• Lucas Lopes def. Scott Ventimiglia via DQ (illegal knee) — Round 1, 3:26
• Pat Benson def. Dave Cochran via submission (triangle choke) — Round 1, 2:18

[Pictured: Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields]

The official Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields weigh-in results were:

MAIN CARD

• Robbie Lawler (182.75) vs. Jake Shields (181.75)
• Andrei Arlovski (244) vs. Brett Rogers (262)
• Nick Diaz (179) vs. Scott Smith (179.5)
• Phil Baroni (168.75) vs. Joe Riggs (170)
• Kevin Randleman (204) vs. Mike Whitehead (206)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Josh Bumgarner (173.5) vs. Jesse Finney (175.75)
• Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (205.5) vs. Mike Kyle (202.5)
• Booker DeRousse (204.25) vs. James Wade (205.25)
• Tyron Woodley (170.5) vs. Sal Woods (169.25)
• Lucas Lopes (186) vs. Scott Ventimiglia (185)
• Dave Cochran (153) vs. Pat Benson (155.75)

PHOTO GALLERY

• TJ Grant, who was rumored to be fighting Martin Kampmann at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale before Kampmann declined the bout, will instead face Rory Markham at the June 20th event.
• Nick Thompson vs. Tim Kennedy, Dennis Hallman vs. Cedric Marks, and Cory Devela vs. Luke Rockhold have been added to the June 19th Strikeforce Challengers event.
• Jared Hamman has withdrawn from his June 6th Strikeforce bout against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante after suffering an injury in training and has been replaced by Mike Kyle.
• KJ Noons says he’s in negotiations to resume his MMA career with Strikeforce.
• Weigh-ins for Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields on June 6 in St. Louis will take place on Friday, June 5, at Al Hrabosky’s Ballpark Saloon at 3pm CT.
• Bantamweight Noah Thomas, a lightweight cast member on The Ultimate Fighter 5, has signed with the WEC and will replace Eddie Wineland against Frank Gomez at WEC 41 on June 7 in Sacrament, California.
• Ronnys Torres will make his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 19 in September.
• Middleweight tournament participants Yosmany Cabezas, Jared Hess, Hector Lombard, and Damien Stelly made weight on Thursday at weigh-ins for Bellator week 9 in Monroe, Louisiana.
• Phil Cardella vs. Ed Ratcliff has been added to the lineup for WEC 42 on August 9th in Las Vegas.
• Dana White’s “special announcement” on Thursday was confirmation of UFC Undisputed 2010, the follow-up to the recently-released and highly-anticipated UFC Undisputed 2009 video game for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
• Tickets for the UFC Fan Expo on July 10th and 11th in Las Vegas are now on sale.
• The UFC won’t return to Chicago in 2009, but could hold an event in Indianapolis in 2010.

[Pictured: TJ Grant]

Jared Hamman

After Renato Babalu Sobral was forced to withdraw from his upcoming Strikeforce bout against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante on June 6th, the promotion had to find a replacement on short notice. It seems they have done so in ProElite veteran Jared Hamman, as reported by Loretta Hunt. It is expected that the bouts victor will face off with Sobral in August for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title.

Cavalcante last fought in July for EliteXC gaining a TKO victory over Travis Galbraith. The Brazilian brings a 7-1 record into the cage in June, with his only loss being a disqualification against Marcio Cruz. All of his victories have ended due to strikes, six by TKO or KO, and one by submission.

Hamman was last in action in August on a ShoXC card avenging his only loss to Poai Suganuma with a first round TKO. The American, who trains under Vladimir Matyushenko comes into the fight with a 10-1 record including eight victories via TKO or KO and two via submission.

For more information on the June 6th fight card, visit our Strikeforce – Lawler vs. Shields Rumors page.

Renato Babalu Sobral

Renato “Babalu” Sobral’s first defense of his Strikeforce title has been postponed. Sobral had initially been rumored to be facing off against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante in May, but then was later announced for June 6th. Since that time it has been confirmed that Sobral’s child is expected to be born on May 24th, forcing the fighter to withdraw from the event. This according to the fighter’s manager who spoke with MMAWeekly yesterday.

Cavalcante is still expected to take part in the June 6th event, facing off against an as yet unnamed opponent. With a win, Cavalcante is expected to get his shot against Sobral in August.

For more information on the June 6th fight card, visit our Strikeforce – Lawler vs. Shields Rumors page.