Strikeforce: Evangelista-Gurgel on Nov. 6 Marquee
Sep 11, 2009
Unbeaten lightweight Billy
Evangelista will collide with UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel
in the main event at Strikeforce “Challenger Series 4” on Nov. 6 at
the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. The promotion made the bout
official on Friday.
Evangelista has not competed since his controversial match with B.J. Penn protégé Mike Aina ended in a disqualification four months ago. The decision was later overturned and ruled a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission after Evangelista appealed. Replays showed the knee struck Aina in the shoulder, not the head, as referee Herb Dean originally believed. The 28-year-old Evangelista, a muay Thai specialist, holds notable victories against UFC veteran Luke Caudillo and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 alum Marlon Sims.
The 32-year-old Gurgel, meanwhile, made a successful Strikeforce debut in June, when he defeated Conor Heun by unanimous decision. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who has become known for his tendency to stand and trade with his opponents, he spent seven fights inside the UFC following his appearance on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. Gurgel has not finished an opponent in almost five years. A unanimous decision win over Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 anchors his resume, along with a 2004 submission victory against Joe Jordan.
Evangelista has not competed since his controversial match with B.J. Penn protégé Mike Aina ended in a disqualification four months ago. The decision was later overturned and ruled a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission after Evangelista appealed. Replays showed the knee struck Aina in the shoulder, not the head, as referee Herb Dean originally believed. The 28-year-old Evangelista, a muay Thai specialist, holds notable victories against UFC veteran Luke Caudillo and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 alum Marlon Sims.
The 32-year-old Gurgel, meanwhile, made a successful Strikeforce debut in June, when he defeated Conor Heun by unanimous decision. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who has become known for his tendency to stand and trade with his opponents, he spent seven fights inside the UFC following his appearance on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. Gurgel has not finished an opponent in almost five years. A unanimous decision win over Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 anchors his resume, along with a 2004 submission victory against Joe Jordan.
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