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Strikeforce Challengers - May 15th, 2009

Save Mart Center - Fresno, California

Review by Steve "Spaniard" Valentine

Fight Photos courtesy of Strikeforce, cell photos by Spaniard


Fresno, CA - StrikeForce held its Challenger Series, telecast by Showtime Sports, debuting up and coming MMA stars looking to prove their skills in the cage; possibly earning a spot in the primetime show. Unfortunately, a disqualification stoppage left the main event looking to explain the rules of striking a downed opponent to a "Bulldog" crowd that wasn't having any of it. People booed as the main event ended in an illegal knee strike at the hands of undefeated Team Buhawe fighter Billy Evangelista. Evangelista fired a knee to BJ Penn Protege Mike Aina as Aina was getting up; yet Mike's knee was clearly down and the doctor said Aina couldn't continue. The replay showed the knee being illegal, yet it looked as if Aina was hit in the shoulder. Never the less the fight was called and Fresno went nuts.


Fresno also went bonkers as Fellow Team Buhawe fighter Lavar "Big" Johnson from Guess where? Yep, Fresno-Knocked out his Opponent Carl Seumanutafa in 18 seconds with a right hand uppercut as Carl shot in for the take down. Carl was asleep, and the Save Mart Center went crazy, as the knockout of night honors go too.... Mr.Big!


Late replacement Sarah Kaufman out of Zuma in Victoria, BC, earned a Unanimous decision victory over Victory Athletics fighter Miesha Tate. Tate came out with a good jab and worked some great takedowns, and ground attack; but Kaufman was the stronger fighter. Landing strong counter punches, and right hands that hurt Tate and wore her down through-out the fight. After the win, Kaufman asked for 5 minute rounds, "please, give us 5 minute rounds?" referring to the fact that female fighter still fight 3 minute rounds instead of the 5 minute rounds given in the men's division.


Aaron Rosa upset the crowd by defeating and putting to sleep Team Voodoo fighter Anthony Ruiz. Ruiz refusing to tap when a rear naked choke was sinking tighter and tighter was finally saved by the referee who stepped in to stop the bout and wake up the red corner at 4:29. The fight of the night goes to the guys trying to start a fight in the crowd after Urijah Faber's Team Alpha Male fighter Tito Jones Lost a Unanimous decision victory to Bao Quach. Quach took the first and possibly the second by getting in and out on Jones who couldn't get off and find a rhythm. Then the third round came and it was all Tito, Jones dropped Quach with a right, and dropped him again looking to finish a clearly stunned Quach. Bao stayed in the fight as Jones looked to close and then eats a Left and goes down again. To Quach's credit he stayed in the fight, and ate a huge flying knee from Jones. The judges saw the fight unanimously for Bao Quach, and Tito will have to finish guys to not end up on this end of the cards again. In the future this young fighter will make something happen once he finds a good rhythm in the cage his hand speed will devastate guys. 


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