Billy Evangelista

Gurgel vs. Evangelista Set for Strikeforce Challengers in November

Undefeated lightweight fighter Billy Evangelista will challenge UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel in the main event of the latest edition of Strikeforce Challengers, which will take place on November 6 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Strikeforce officials announced the matchup and the event itself in a press release sent out to the media this afternoon. The event’s five-bout televised main card will be broadcast live on Showtime starting at 11 PM ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

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Aina Grabs DQ Win Over Evangelista at Strikeforce Challengers Debut

Billy Evangelista (right) was disqualified for kneeing Mike Aina in the head when Aina was down in the main event on the premiere Friday of Strikeforce Challengers on Showtime. Photo by Daisy Rosas/Strikeforce.

CONTROVERSIAL BLOW DISQUALIFIES BILLY EVANGELISTA FROM MAIN EVENT MATCHUP WITH MIKE AINA, UNBEATEN SARAH KAUFMAN OUTPOINTS MIESHA TATE

FRESNO, Calif. –  Previously unbeaten hometown favorite Billy Evangelista lost by disputed, controversial second-round disqualification to Mike Aina Friday in the main event of the inaugural Strikeforce Challengers telecast on Showtime.
At the finish, neither fighter was satisfied with the outcome at the Save Mart Center.
Evangelista (9-1), of Fresno, was disqualified for “intentionally” kneeing Aina (12-6-1), of Hilo, Hawaii, in the head while the Hawaiian fighter was down. The rule is a fighter can knee a downed opponent to the body, but not the head.

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Fight of the Day: Evangelista vs. Phan

From Strikeforce’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” event in June 2008, here’s undefeated lightweight prospect Billy Evangelista taking on seasoned veteran Nam Phan.

Evangelista vs. Aina to Headline Strikeforce’s First-Ever “SHO MMA” Event in May

NEW YORK — Undefeated lightweight (155 lb. limit) sensation Billy Evangelista (9-0) will fight hard-hitting brawler and BJ Penn protégé “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1) in the main event of the inaugural, newly titled SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers series from leading MMA promoter Strikeforce and premium television network Showtime, on Friday, May 15 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.
The Showtime telecast will air live beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and feature up to five MMA fights including Kim “Sugar Free” Couture (1-1), wife of MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture, facing an opponent to be named. 
SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers provides MMA’s hottest prospects with the opportunity to perform at a high level of competition in a nationally televised event. “This is where the men and women will be separated from the boys, so to speak,” said Strikeforce founder and CEO Scott Coker. “The growth and future of our sport just got a turbo injection. For regional fighters and up-and-coming men and women looking to test themselves against other top prospects and get on the fasttrack to stardome, SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers is the place to do it. I can’t wait for this first event.”

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Strikeforce Adds More Bouts to “Payback”

Strikeforce today announced an additional three bouts for the organization’s upcoming “Payback” card, which takes place on October 3 at the Broomfield Event Center in Denver, Colorado. The show is headlined by a main event rematch between Duane Ludwig and Sam Morgan.

The newest signed fights include former UFC welterweight title contender Pete Spratt taking on International Fight League veteran Donnie Liles, undefeated prospect Billy Evangelista going up against UFC veteran Luke Caudillo, and popular female fighter Michelle Waterson facing Brandy Nerny.

Already previously announced for the show were a welterweight showdown between former UFC title challenger Frank Trigg and Falaniko Vitale and a heavyweight clash between Patrick Berry and Andre Walker. Phil Baroni will also be on the card against an opponent yet to be determined.

Digital cable network HDNet will be televising the event. HDNet announced a deal to televise four Strikeforce shows this year back in February. “Payback” will be the second of that agreement.

Southworth to Defend Title Against “Babalu”

Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and former “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Bobby Southworth will defend his title at Strikeforce’s upcoming event at the Playboy Mansion on September 20th against fellow UFC veteran Renato “Babalu” Sobral.

Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz officially announced the bout in a press released sent out to the media today. Additional participants confirmed by Afromowitz include Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and undefeated prospect Billy Evangelista.

Southworth made his second consecutive defense of his Strikeforce title at the organization’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” event in June, winning a unanimous decision over Anthony Ruiz, who defeated Southworth by TKO due to a cut last November.

Sobral has been rumored to also be taking on former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” event in October, however Ortiz has yet to officially sign with the promotion. The popular Brazilian recently picked up a hard-fought unanimous decision over Mike Whitehead at Affliction’s debut show last month.

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