Strikeforce lightweight title contender Billy Evangelista (9-1) defeated Jorge Gurgel (13-6) in a unanimous decision by judges' scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 once at Strikeforce Challenger Series 4 in Fresno Friday night. ...

"Thoroughbred" Jay Hieron (15-4) picked up the Strikeforce welterweight strap in a five-round UD over The Ultimate Fighter alum "JT Money" Jesse Taylor (8-3) on the undercard at Strikeforce in San Jose Friday.

The Pit 205-pound prospect, former kickboxer Scott Lighty (5-0) TKO'd Mike Cook (7-7) on the undercard at Strikeforce in San Jose Friday. The referee stepped in to end the beating at 2:05 of the first round.

The fight night opened with lightweight Alexander Trevino (5-0) remaining undefeated by tapping out Isaiah Hill (3-6-1) in a keylock at 3:56 of round one.

Strikeforce light heavyweight champion “Babalu” Renato Sobral (31-8) and challenger “Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (21-2-1) made the 205-pound weight limit for their title fight in San Jose Saturday with pounds to spare. Defending champion "Babalu" weighed 201 pounds while challenging prospect Mousasi weighed 204 pounds. Heavyweight UFC cast-off "Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) weighed 228 pounds. His late replacement opponent, American Kickboxing Academy's "MAK" Mike Kyle (11-6-1), weighed 219 pounds. ...

Strikeforce welterweight contender "Diablo" Nick Diaz (20-8) skipped a mandatory California State Athletic Commission pre-fight drug screening Friday for his title fight versus "Thoroughbred" Jay Hieron (14-4) at Strikeforce in San Jose 15 August.

Maybe it was scheduled at 4:20 PM?

A card-carrying medical marijuana toker, Diaz was popped for marijuana use by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after tapping "Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi (28-6) in a gogoplata at PRIDE 33 in Las Vegas in February 2007.
...

Former WEC middleweight champion "Ely" Paulo Filho (16-1) tapped "Marvelous" Melvin Manhoef (22-6-1) in an armbar at 2:36 of round one and lightweight "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (18-4) won a unanimous decision over "Shaolin" vitor Ribeiro (20-2) at DREAM.10 in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Monday.

Lithuanian "Whitemare" Marius Zaromskis (12-2) upset "Mach" Hayato Sakurai (32-9-3) and Jason High (7-2) both with fight-ending head kicks to win the Welterweight Grand Prix.

Returning to Japan after an odd stint in the WEC and returning to MMA after nine months off, Filho was rusty and lucky to exploit the chink that has resulted in three of Manhoef's six losses: the armbar.
...

"The Ultimate Fighter" alum "JT Money" Jesse Taylor (8-2) will fight Dong Sik Yoon (2-6) at DREAM.10 in Saitama, north of Tokyo, 20 July, Taylor announced at his blog. Taylor tapped Eric DaVila (14-9) in a rear naked choke at Shark Fight in Lubbock last May. Yoon was TKO'd by Andrews Nakahara (2-0) at DREAM.6 in Saitama last September. Perhaps Taylor's most publicized win was against a rented limousine at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas, which led to his dismissal from TUF's seventh season and admission to Alcoholics Anonymous. Taylor has evidently remained sobor since. ...

“Spider” Anderson Silva (22-4) def. “Sandman” James Irvin (14-5) via KO (punches), 1:01 of round one. “The Truth” Brandon Vera (9-2) def. Reese Andy (7-3) via unanimous decision (30-27; 30-27; 29-28). “The Answer” Frank Edgar (9-1) def. Hermes Franca (18-7) via unanimous decision (30-27; 30-27; 30-27). Cain Velasquez (4-0) def.  Jake O’Brien (10-2) via TKO, 2:02 of round one. “The Fire” Kevin Burns (7-2) def. “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (5-2) via TKO, 3:35 of round three. “Doberman” CB Dollaway (7-1) def. Jesse Taylor (6-3) via submission (Peruvian necktie), 3:58 of round one. Timothy Credeur (10-2) def. Cale Yarbrough (0-1) via TKO (punches), 1:54 of round one. Rory Markham (16-4) def. Brodie Farber (13-4) via KO (head kick), 1:37 of round one. Nate Loughran (9-0) def. Johnny Rees (10-1) via submission (triangle), 4:21 of round one. “Bad” Brad Blackburn (15-9-1) def. James Giboo (11-3) via TKO (strikes), 2:29 of round two. Shannon Gugerty (11-2) def. Dale Hartt (5-1) via submission (rear naked choke), 3:33 of round one. ...

Wednesday the UFC finally confirmed a match-up between Jesse Taylor (6-2) and TUF 7 runner-up “Doberman” CB Dollaway (6-1). The wrestlers will meet at Fight Night on 19 July in Las Vegas. Taylor was kicked off The Ultimate Fighter for drunken antics after the show wrapped.  He was to face Amir Sadollah (1-0) in the finale. Dollaway was Taylor’s replacement after winning a fight-off with Tim Credeur (10-2), but lost the finale match via first round armbar to the new TUF champ Sadollah. ...

The Ultimate Fighter wasted no time this week in getting into the action as the final semi-final match got on between middleweight “The Doberman” CB Dollaway (6-0) and Amir Sadollah (0-0). Immediately, both fighters came out striking and spent the first part of the round striking and circling, feeling each other out.  Amir landed a left roundhouse kick to the body of CB, knocking CB to the mat. However, Amir moved in too quickly and CB was able to get a double leg take down that he turned into a slam. Amir then pulled guard and attempted and arm bar as CB worked the ground'n'pound that has thus far been successful for him.  Amir was able to avoid most shots as well as stopping CB from passing his guard. Eventually, Amir was able to sweep CB off of him and get to his feet where he landed a body shot that visibly shook up CB.  However, CB recovered and was able to get another take down.  He passed to half guard, then took Amir’s back with 15 seconds to go in the round.  The round ended with CB in mount on Amir. ...

Jesse Taylor (6-2) and Tim Credeur (9-2), somewhere in the timeline of living together in the TUF house, like Todd and Copper in The Fox and the Hound, decided to be "friends for life." But, business called on Wednesday night's episode; and, both men looked to family and friends back home for some tear-jerking motivation.  (I promise I didn't almost cry when Credeur was talking about his wife.) Round one: Nah, let's talk about Fighters.com's eighth-ranked light heavyweight coach Forrest Griffin (15-4) first. 1. He can choke out ninth-ranked "Shogun" Mauricio Rua (16-3). 2. He can coach as good as anyone on the show thus far. 3. The man can play hoops.  And dunk!  Easily. In a game of The Ultimate Fighter, Vegas's version of H-O-R-S-E, Griffin pulled no punches when he slaughtered Fighters.com and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion "Rampage" Quinton Jackson (29-6), who confessed, "I suck at basketball.  I'm probably the world's worst basketball player.  I don't play basketball.  I kick ass." After Griffin won the 10G's offered by apparent money bags UFC President Dana White, each fighter on his team socked away two grand themselves, thanks to the traditional $1000 offering being doubled after Jackson nailed (okay, he banked it...) a three-pointer when White challenged the gameless champ. Okay, now round one.  Actually...let's talk about getting drunk and peeing on carpet. ...

The pack has been cut from 32 to six. Two were slated for the chopping block on Wednesday night's episode with the winners moving on toward the prize of a six-figure contract. Dante Rivera (10-2) was pitted against Jesse Taylor (6-2). Matt Brown (9-6) scrapped with lanky amateur Amir Sadollah (0-0). With the quarter finals looming, a coin was flipped to assign the coaches to the four fighters. Jesse and Amir had Forrest Griffin (15-4) backing them. "Rampage" Quinton Jackson(29-6) cornerd Dante Rivera and Matt Brown. Jesse, who confessed he enjoys dipping microwaved cheeseburgers in ranch dressing, put on the rubber suit and, like fighters have done for years when they need to cut weight...played Ping Pong? By the time Jesse left for the hot tub, the table and floor were splattered with pools of sweat. He was courteous enough to step away from the hot tub where he politely urinated in his shorts, claimed it "feels good on my leg", splashed his feet in the yellow puddle, and jumped back into the water. His opponent joined him soon after and soaked in Jesse's waste, a sign of things to come. ...

By Jon Grilz UFC President Dana White began this week's The Ultimate Fighter episode explaining what many people have had on their minds since last week's episode: Why didn’t the fight between Cale Yarbrough (0-0) and Patrick Schultz (5-1-1) go to a third round? Simple.  Round two was scored 10-8 in favor of Yarbrough. While Schultz has a legitimate beef, it was Fighters.com’s top-ranked light heavyweight “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-6) who took his aggression out on fifth-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (15-4), telling Griffin that there upcoming title fight won’t go to a decision. Forrest then had what he referred to as a “man period”, smashing through one of the doors in the training center and shadow boxing while a very confused White was left to wonder exactly what was happening to his coaches. Meanwhile, the remaining fight was set between "Doberman" CB Dollaway (6-0) and Nick Klein (4-0). CB is a former All-American wrestler at Arizona State University and entered MMA because he lacked options after college wrestling.  His strength and skill have made him a dangerous fighter, as Rampage found out first hand. After being mocked by Rampage for getting caught in a kneebar in practice, CB delivered a light kick to Rampage's side, provoking his coach to strip off his socks and go toe-to-toe with CB. Rampage shot for a double-leg takedown which CB turned into a guillotine choke, submitting the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champ. While Klein had received praise from his coaches for his jiu-jitsu and all-around ability, he seemed to be a bit self-deprecating, referring to himself as the “weak link” on the team. Back at the training center, Forrest found a way to release some of the tension he was carrying from Rampage’s earlier comments. Griffin found a net gun and proceeded to shoot Rampage as he sat against the cage after a sparring session. Rampage took it all in good spirits, seeming to be more concerned that his family saw him “get netted” on national television, than anything else. As for the fight between CB and Nick, it was fast, intense, and technically advanced. The fight opened with CB attempting a leg kick, which Nick caught and turned into a takedown. CB rolled with the takedown and attempted a guillotine choke.  Nick escaped and turtled up.  CB rotated to the back, but made no attempts to sink his hooks in.  Nick went for a knee bar escape from turtle and almost sunk it before CB was able to twist free.  Nick countered by rolling to guard and attempting an arm bar, which CB muscled out of. CB then began reigning down punches inside Klein's open guard while attempting to pass to side control several times.  After finally passing Nick’s guard, CB maintained side control only for a moment as Nick was able to pull half-guard again and attempt another arm bar. Once again, CB passed the guard and Nick rolled to turtle position.  CB continued to reign down punches, most of which landed on the back of Nick’s head, opening a small cut. Again, Nick rolled to guard, attempting one final arm bar that failed just as time expired in the round. Round two began with Nick coming out and working his jab.  CB countered with leg kicks that seemed to upset Nick.  So, Nick returned the leg kicks before attempting a few more jabs.  Then, to the dismay of his corner, Nick pulled guard and took the fight to the mat. Nick was able to keep CB’s posture broken for a short time while he tried to land blows from the bottom; but, CB began to pass and Nick again rolled to turtle.  Klein then attempted another knee bar escape. Unfortunately for Nick, CB seemed prepared this time and rolled with the attempt, ending up in guillotine position.  CB then pulled half-guard and sank the choke.  Nick was forced to tap out. Winner by second-round guillotine choke submission: CB Dollaway With the final preliminary fight out of the way, it was time for the semi-final match-ups to be set. Fighters were called in one at a time and asked whom they would most like to fight.  Most fighters were ambivalent about their next opponent, except CB who only wanted to fight Cale. Cale’s mocking comments had been piling up on CB and finally tipped the scale when Cale made a comment questioning CB’s sexuality and choice of sunglasses. The semi-final match-ups were set: Jesse Taylor (6-2) v Dante Rivera (10-2) Amir Sadollah (0-0) v Matt Brown (9-6) Daniel Cramer (0-0) v Tim Credeur (9-2) CB Dollaway(6-0) v Cale Yarbrough (0-0) ...

"This is the kind of thing I've tried to stay away from," UFC President Dana White said Thursday when asked about "Kimbo Slice" Kevin Ferguson (2-0) becoming the mainstream face of MMA when he headlines 31 May's CBS-broadcast EliteXC card. CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights will be the North American broadcast television unveiling of our sport. "This is more than a spectacular opportunity for Kimbo to be in front of a potential audience of 100-million plus eyeballs," said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw, also on Thursday. "I think it sucks," White concluded.  "Kimbo Slice isn't a mixed martial arists.  This is a guy who was fighting in your back yard three months ago.  Now he's headlining on CBS." For those behind White, the argument runs: MMA has gone from groin strikes to Unified Rules since UFC 1, from Kevin Rosier (2-6) to "Rush" Georges St. Pierre (16-2).  Kimbo Slice erases the last 15 years of the sport's evolution. How many years does Brock Lesnar (1-1) erase?  At least 12, back to the beginning of the powerful Hammer House era. Lesnar headlines the UFC's August card in Minneapolis versus Hammer House's original "Hammer" Mark Coleman (15-8). But, an argument that either Slice or Lesnar is going to convince the mainstream that MMA peaked in 1996 is misguided. That's what they already think. We're blinded inside the MMA bubble to the reality that Slice and Lesnar still represent what the mainstream thinks MMA is. A backyard brawler or former pro wrestler sell tickets and PPV buys because that's still the mainstream expectation of MMA. Despite the last three years of North America  MMA eruption, the mainstream still considers MMA a blood-thirsty, no-holds-barred duel of brutes. Few minds will be changed, but continued mainstream ignorance may be encouraged.  There's still so many to educate about the sport. Notes From Around MMA * Last Wednesday on TAGG radio, “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-1-1) became the latest UFC fighter to complain about his compensation, saying, “It's kind of sad, you know, when the company comes out on the cover of Forbes, and then you definitely just know where all the money is going to. It's kind of like, 'What the hell?'" * TUF 7 cast member Jesse Taylor (6-2) told the North County Times, “"Let's just say I'm undefeated so far,” about his record on the SpikeTV reality competition show. * When asked by Eastside Boxing what his most satisfying moment was, “Stitch” Jacob Duran said, “For MMA the most satisfying moment came during the Forrest Griffin/Mauricio Rua fight.  I was working Forrest's corner during this fight when he received a lightning bolt gash on the center of his forehead.  It was a really bad cut and the fight was close to being stopped.  I managed to get it under control for about four minutes, and Forrest went out and submitted Rua.”  Fifth-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (15-4) thanked Duran with a card and gift certificate to an upscale restaurant. * “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) is urging UFC President Dana White to make a fight between UFC Welterweight Champion St. Pierre and UFC Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (21-4), the top-ranked welterweight and middleweight respectively.  "If Dana can make that fight, I'll be in the line to buy a ticket," Silva told Yahoo!Sports. * “Techno Goliath” Hong Man Choi (1-1) was discharged from the South Korean military two days after reporting for mandatory service.  Officials cited Choi’s brain tumor pressing against his optic nerve as the reason for his dismissal. ...

 This week started with a recap of Jesse Taylor’s (6-0) choke-out of Mike Dolce (3-4).  The fighters all said Jesse’s superior wrestling allowed him to control the fight and grind out the victory.  He won $10,000 for himself and the right for his team to pick the next fight.  That night, he rewarded himself with some beers while “Chipper” Matthew Riddle (0-0) and Dante Rivera (10-2) traded some trash talk. The next day, “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (29-6) put his team through some circuit training to “see what they are made of.”  The team discussed who they thought Forrest would pick to fight.  They speculated that Forest would put up one of his strongest fighters against one of Rampage’s weakest to maintain control of the matchmaking.  They decided that Rivera versus Patrick Schultz (5-1-1) was the most likely match-up. Back at the house, Riddle said he wanted to fight next.  At fight selection, he learned he would get his wish versus BJJ black belt Timothy Credeur (9-2).  The memory of Chipper’s violent knockout of Dan Simmler (0-0) was still fresh in everyone’s mind.  Credeur saw Riddle as a challenge and said he went there to fight the toughest guys. The night before the fight, Riddle was relaxed.  He knew that he was young enough that he could lose and still be successful in the sport.  Credeur knew his clock was ticking and said if he lost he’d have to re-evaluate life as a fighter.  Everyone was anxious to see if the greenhorn, Riddle, could use his knockout power to overcome the fight experience and proven ground game of Credeur. "Chipper” Matthew Riddle (0-0) VS Timothy Credeur (9-2) Round 1: Right off the bat, Riddle shot for a low single and got to Credeur’s back for the takedown.  Tim loosened one of Riddle’s hooks and spun out to get back to his feet. Credeur landed a jab and a few leg kicks.  Riddle countered with a leg kick of his own and shot for another takedown.  After a brief scramble, “Chipper” slammed Credeur with a hip-toss.  Tim escaped to his butterfly guard and back to his feet. A few punches were exchanged and Credeur tripped Riddle and got top position against the cage.  After another scramble, Riddle appeared to momentarily have Credeur’s back; but, Credeur rolled and looked to attack Chipper’s leg with a submission.  Riddle defended and got top position in Credeur’s open guard.  “Chipper” tried to pass; but, Tim used the opportunity to pull off a nice butterfly sweep and take the mount on Riddle.  Tim was throwing and landing punches and elbows form the top and bloodied Riddle’s nose.  Looking lost under the mount, Riddle tried to block some of Tim’s shots.  With fifteen seconds left, he gave up his back to stop the punches. Credeur worked the rear naked choke; but, Riddle was able to fend it off for the remainder of the round.  The atmosphere during the fight was intense.  You could barely hear the coaches over the screaming of the other fighters. Round 2: Riddle stormed out and landed a right head kick and took Credeur down. Credeur looked for a lower body submission; but, Riddle defended and wound up on his back near the cage with Credeur in his guard.  Tim landed some shots. "Get up!  Get up!" shouted Rampage.  He wanted Riddle to get the fight back to his feet where he had a better chance of beating the ground specialist. "Chipper" ate some punches and elbows and his nose started bleeding again.  Things looked bad for Matt; but, as Credeur stepped back to throw a bomb, Riddle turned to his knees and pushed Credeur off. "He’s done!" exclaimed Rampage. "Chipper", now back on his feet, started throwing bombs.  Credeur was gassed!  Riddle landed a few punches, got Tim in the clinch, landed a knee to the body, and took him down. Rampage shouted for Chipper to let him up. Riddle started connecting with body shots and some elbows to the face.  Credeur attempted a triangle that Riddle quickly slipped out of.  Tim stayed tight to Riddle and used his triangle escape to take the mount and look for the armbar form the top. "No! No!" shouted Forest.  He wanted Tim to maintain top position and win the decision rather than go for the risky finish. Credeur’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu took over and he extended the arm, forcing Riddle to tap. Winner by tap out due to armbar: Timothy Credeur Rampage and Juanito Ibarra, Team Rampage’s striking coach, were disappointed because Riddle fought hard, but made a huge mistake and didn’t follow the game plan.  He took the fight to the ground against a BJJ black belt at the critical point of the fight.  Team Rampage lost another fight, and a promising fighter.  Team Forrest took a 2-0 lead and retained matchmaking rights for the next round. ...

Ponder this before next Wednesday's TUF 7 episode: Next week, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion "Rampage" Quinton Jackson (29-6) and Forrest Griffin (15-4) will be choosing fighters for their team.  Assuming you've watched the first two episodes, who would you choose? Would you choose fighters who're rough, but you think have a higher upside; or, fighters who're already more complete? Would you choose fighters with styles most like yours?  Or, would you try to fill out a well-rounded squad? UFC President Dana White was right tonight when he stated, "There are no pussies here."  The elimination round has held some of the best fights of any TUF season. The episode opened with Dan Simmler (0-0) versus Mathew Riddle (0-0); and, Riddler came to battle.  He scored a sweet toss early and worked inside the jiu-jitsu fighter's guard.  But, Riddle gassed shortly into round one and Simmler had the mo' going into the second. That mo' was floored almost immediately in what "Rampage" called, "The gruesomest knockout I've ever seen." As Simmler launched a kick, Riddle decked him with a right hook, followed by two vicious hammerfists after Simmler hit the floor. Simmler moaned for several minutes, then woke-up repeating, "Was this a real fight or practice?"  He was carried away by ambulance. Brutal.  Riddle takes a bed. In the next fight, Patrick Schultz (5-1-1) looked mean at the bell and piled on Cincinnatian Luke Zachrich (7-1); but, Zachrich woke-up after taking a few shots and rolled Schultz into a guillotine to take another bed. Erik Charles (2-5) bragged before his fight with Timothy Credeur (9-2) that he was "one of the fastest guys out here."  He was right!  Charles tapped out in a Credeur armbar quicker than any other fighter in the competiton.  Credeur takes a bed. In highlights, "Mohawk" Brandon Sene (2-0) beat Aaron Meisner (2-0) by rear naked choke. Gerald Harris (6-2) was all over Mike Marrello (7-1-1) with G'n'P for a unanimous decision.  Jeremiah Riggs (1-0) "put Mississippi on the map", but Daniel Cramer (0-0) put "Mississippi" on the mat for a first-round G'n'P TKO. Jesse Taylor (6-2) had a quick night taking down, mounting, and wrapping Nick Rossborough  (8-3) in a rear naked choke submission. Finally, Cincinnatian Matt Brown (5-6) weathered the early pressure of wrestler Josh Hall (1-2), who escaped two tight triangle chokes only to succumb to a G'n'P stoppage. My team picks, in alphabetical order: Matt Brown Timothy Credeur CB Dollaway Gerald Harris Nick Klein Matthew Riddle Dante Rivera Cale Yarbrough ...