Kent, Washington- Home town heroes & veteran mixed martial arts stars completed a stellar MMA card for the new Challenger series presented by Showtime.

In the main event, Greg Jackson prodigy "Smokin" Joe Villasenor earned a split decision victory over Chute Box fighter Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos.

Santos changed things up a bit with counterpunching throwing Villasenor off, and keeping the fight close every round. This fight was a very technical war where both fighters landed punches and kicks. However, it was Villasenor who seemed to get into a rhythm picking apart a determined yet tired Santos in the third. Smokin Joe snatched the win as two of the three judges called the fight 29-28 for Villasenor.

Spaniard's "Fight of the Night" went to former UFC fighter Jorge Gurgel, and Eddie Bravo Purple belt Conor Heun. These two slugged it out and beat the crap out of each other for three full rounds in a catch weight bout held at 160lbs. 

I'm becoming a huge fan of catch weight fight's as we're seeing people who wouldn't normally fight each other meet somewhere in the middle and compete. I sat in the stands with the fans for this one and the feeling of energy and emotion especially for this fight reminded me of why this sport influences everyone it touches. In a sense we all want to be fighters, maybe not getting punched in the face, but the will and determination... The never give up mentality sparks a fire in almost all of us. This fight had the crowd on the edge of their seat. All you heard consistently was "oh man somebody's going down", and I felt it too. Jorge was chopping down Conor at the legs looking to set up strikes, while Conor stayed tight looking to use his reach advantage. This was a barn burner, especially when both are considered "Jiu-Jitsu fighters", yet they stood and banged the whole time.

In the end it was Jorge who earned the unanimous decision as two of the three judges called the fight 30-27 the other 29-28 for the former UFC fighter Jorge Gurgel.

Pride of the Army Ranger elite, Tim Kennedy apologized for landing a punch or two to the back of the head of former Bodog champ, Nick "The Goat" Thompson. Kennedy landed a nice right hand to put Thompson to the mat, quickly pouncing on him landing punches. Kennedy hammered away until Thompson finally taps at 2:37 of round two. Thompson was upset, claiming illegal strikes after the bout; Kennedy states it was "completely accidental."

Up and coming female star Sarah Kaufman, used her overwhelming punching power to wear down submission queen Shayna "The Queen of Spades" Baszler. Baszler stayed in the fight defending punches well, almost sinking a North-South choke variation using her knee; yet Kaufman powers out for the reversal. The last minute of almost every round was all out brawling; both Kaufman & Baszler traded punches trying to seal the deal.

Kaufman was clearly getting the better of these exchanges. Round two and three saw Kaufman finding a rhythm picking apart a tired Baszler. One of the best female fights I've seen in a long time. Kaufman won a unanimous decision victory with two out of three judges scored the fight 30-27 for Kaufman. This was the first five minute round female MMA bout Strikeforce has ever thrown, and it showcased the talent and need for five minute rounds across the board for all Female MMA fighters.

Victory Athletics fighter Cory "The One" Devela, coming off a knockout loss to Terry Martin in September of '08, looked to get things back on track against the American Kickboxing Academy fighter Luke Rockhold. However, the fight was over in 30 seconds as Luke landed a huge right hand that sent the Cowboy Karate practitioner to the floor. Luke jumps in to finish and sinks a Rear Naked Choke. Luke is now 5-1 with every win coming from first round submissions.

The undercard was filled with NW favorites & former UFC fighters. Dennis "Superman" Hallman who was scheduled to face Cedric Marks (Marks was medically suspended in a previous fight) submitted former student of Victory Athletics (Hallman's School) Justin Davis. Davis took the fight last minute and weighed in at an even 200lbs, while Hallman only weighed 191lbs with clothes on. Even so, the weight meant nothing, as Hallman got in and out without a scratch securing a Rear Naked Choke in 20 seconds of the first round.

NW Favorite Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm, who's pants weren't very fancy this time out, pulled off the upset of the night submitting former UFC fighter and striking specialist Duane "Bang" Ludwig. Beerbohm was all over Ludwig from start to finish taking Ludwig down and controlling top position. Beerbohm finally got the win by School Yard choke at 4:27 in the first round; shoving his name into the Lightweight division as more than an up and coming MMA talent.

[Editor's Note: Fancy Pants wore his fancy pants under his pants!]

The fastest win of the night came from Steve Hadsel who landed big and earned a TKO (Strikes) in only 17 seconds over Taylor Roberts.

Victory Athletics teammate Bryan Caraway also earned a win, defeating Alex Zuniga by unanimous decision.

Crowd Favorite, Landon "The Show" Showalter put on a show for the Showare Center fans striking precisely on a seemingly unfazed George Stork. Stork took huge elbows, knees, & punches; yet stayed in the fight using dirty boxing in the clinch, & consistently getting the fight to the ground. Unanimous Decision for "The Show".

Another back and forth war pitted Len Bentley against Marques Daniels. These two almost finished each other more than once; but referee Anthony Hamlett let them fight it out. In the end it was Bentley who got the unanimous decision.

Strikeforce's next show is August 15 in San Jose, CA where Gina "Conviction" Carano will face Cris Cyborg at 145lbs for the first ever Strikeforce Championship women's belt. For more info go to strikeforce.com