
(Villasenor puts on a brief left hook clinic. Photo courtesy of Strikeforce.)
Despite getting his leg tenderized with kicks for much of the fight, “Smokin” Joey Villasenor took a split decision victory over Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos in the main event of last night’s Strikeforce Challengers event in Kent, Washington. Then he did what every Strikeforce middleweight is practically obliged to do: call out Cung Le.
In what was somewhat surprisingly the most exciting fight on the televised card, Jorge Gurgel and Connor Heun slugged it out almost entirely on the feet for three rounds. Gurgel’s face may have looked like a poorly executed attempt at a jack-o-lantern after the fight, but he won the unanimous decision victory and afterward praised Heun’s toughness and impressive chin. Full results are after the jump.
Joey Villasenor def. “Cyborg” Santos via split decision
Tim Kennedy def. Nick Thompson via submission (strikes) at 2:37 of R2
Jorge Gurgel def. Connor Heun via decision
Sarah Kaufman def. Shayna Baszler via decision
Luke Rockhold def. Cory Devala via submission (rear naked choke) at 0:30 of R1
Steve Hadsel def. Taylor Roberts via TKO at 0:17 of R1
Len Bentley def. Marques Daniels via decision
Landon Showalter def. George Stork via decision
Lyle Beerbohm def. Duane Ludwig – Submission (rear naked choke) at 4:27 of R1
Brian Caraway def. Alex Zuniga via decision
Dennis Hallman def. Justin Davis via submission (rear naked choke) at 0:20 of R1








Gurgel always stands and bangs and many people in the crowd where chanting for him to take him down.
Overall I was quite surpised at how many people were enjoying the ground game and were quite upset by not enough action on the ground and the ref standing them up (both Refs Hamlett and De piaso)