Savemart Center - Fresno, CA - Undefeated Fresno fighter Billy Evangelista grabbed a Unanimous decision over former Ultimate Fighter contestant Jorge Gurgel Friday Night. Evangelista took the first round strong staying on the outside, switching stances frustrating a smaller Gurgel. Gurgel was trying to punch his way inside of bigger Evangelista, but wasn't getting anything to land.

Takedowns made the difference in the fight, as the round ended with Billy getting the takedown from clinch; he then scores another takedown in the second. And after any trouble he was placed into during the fight he still ended up in a dominate position.

Late in the second Billy was blasted with a left kick to the head and Jorge jumps onto a Guillotine, but with 15 seconds left the hometown fighter pops his head out to the roar of the crowd and lands some punches inside Gurgel's full guard. 

Gurgel went after it in the third, his punches are landing, and Evangelista is back peddling almost running trying to stay on the outside. Evangelista ducks a punch and goes for takedown, but Gurgel finally defends and Billy doesn't get it. Yet, it wasn't long till Evangelista catches one of Jorge's kicks and gets the final takedown punching away as Gurgel is frantically looking to find a way to win from bottom; but it's too late. With this win Evangelista moves to 10-0, and looks for his next step up the Strikeforce Ladder.

Gurgel was clearly disappointed and asked only if the fans didn't like him before the fight, that maybe they respected him now. Jorge faced some tough heckling during the fight, and was a little down on his performance even apologizing saying he will do better next time.

A battle of the undefeated went down in the heavyweight division as Brando Cash (5-0) and Shane Del Rosario (8-0) had an explosive fight from start to finish. Cash drops Shane right away with a devastating right cross that sent Del Rosario to the mat. Shane fights to stay alive, but Cash is all over him getting the takedowns, mounting and getting out of submissions. Cash was taking this fight right up till he got caught in an Omoplata, and was forced to tap at 2:57 in round one. 
This was a huge step in competition for Cash and showed heavy hands and some stuff to work on, while Del Rosario proved why he might be the next big thing in the heavyweight division winning by stunning comeback.

American Kickboxing Academy fighter Luke Rockhold was just too much for the former UFC & Dream fighter Jesse Taylor. Taylor being the only fighter in history removed from the finale fight in the Ultimate Fighter Show due to his actions outside the octagon couldn't work his ground game against Rockhold. Eventually Rockhold swept Taylor and took his back tightening a body triangle and finishing Jesse by Rear Naked Choke at 3:42 in the first round. Luke continues his impressive win streak improving to 5 in a row.

San Shou fighter Thomas Diagne got nice slam against Merritt Warren in a lightweight bout, scoring hammer fist from guard and working top position. But it was Warren who latches onto a leg in a scramble and forces the tap at 3:49 seconds of round one.

In Female action Team Buhawe fighter Zoila "Warrior Princess" Frausto earned a unanimous decision victory over Lion's Den fighter Elisha Helsper. Fausto worked a strong striking game with kicks and punches making Helsper pay for every attempt to get in and exchange she made. Helsper came alive in the last round not giving up at all, showed tremendous heart fighting till the end, but couldn't keep Frausto on the ground once she got her there. With this win Frausto moves to 4-0, and looks to jump into the mainstream mix for women's MMA.

Former WEC Champ Cole Escovedo didn't make the Main card but he definitely got knockout of the night honors by dropping Antonio Mckee student Maurice Eazel with a left kick to the head. Escovedo finished it up with strikes making the Ref step in and stop the fight at 1:47 seconds of the very first round. Cole is 3-0 since coming back to action after a lay-off due to horrible staph infection requiring spinal surgery. Cole always the showman went for a flying triangle during the match but wasn't able to pull it off. Hopefully Escovedo can get on the main card and pull some sponsors so he doesn't have to pull out the marker pen on his t-shirt anymore.

The next Strikeforce Challenger Series is scheduled for November 20 in Kansas City, with Tyron Woodley, Erik Apple and Kim couture to name a few on the card. For more info go to strikeforce.com/events/

RESULTS

Rico Altamirano def Alex Trevino by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cole Escovedo def Maurice Eazel by TKO (Ref Stoppage - Strikes) @ 1:47 Rd 1 
Casey Olson def Chris Culley by TKO (Ref Stoppage - Strikes) @ 2:32 Rd 1
Ben Holscher def Johnny Goh by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Zoila Frausto def Elisha Helsper by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Merrit Warren def Ousmane Thomas Diagne by Heel Hook @ 3:49 Rd 1 
Luke Rockhold def Jesse Taylor by Rear Naked Choke @ 3:42 Rd 1
Shane del Rosario def Brandon Cash by Omoplata @ 2:57 Rd 1
Billy Evangelista def Jorge Gurgel by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

MORE COOL PHOTOS!