Strikeforce – Challengers 15
April 1, 2011
Stockton, California, United States
Lightweight (155 lbs)
Justin Wilcox (11 – 3 – 0) continued his march towards a Strikeforce lightweight title shot as he disposed of Rodrigo Damm (9 – 5 – 0) by stopping the bout due to doctors stoppage at the end of round 1. Rodrigo Damm looked like he had little to offer Wilcox, who dominated the Brazilian with powerful head kicks and ground and pound including precision elbows (thanks to Strikeforce adopting the unified rules and allowing elbows). In the post fight interview, Wilcox stated that he has his eye on the gold. It is hard to argue against him after the performance he showed on Friday night. Other than a title fight with the winner of [#4] Gil Melendez and [#9] Tatsuya Kawajiri (taking place on April 9th), a bout with [#13] Jorge Masvidal would prove telling for Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox. Wilcox jumps 12 spots forward, from [#40] to [#28] with this victory, and now on a 6 fight win streak. Rodrigo Damm is in a tough spot , losing 4 of his last 5. Perhaps scraps between he and [#78] Billy Evangelista, who is coming off the first loss of his career to Jorge Masvidal, or [#89] Carlo Prater would be worthwhile. Damm drops 29 spots from [#92] to {#121].
Lightweight (155 lbs)
Caros Fodor (8 – 2 – 0) wore down David Douglas (8 – 3 – 0) with knees and strikes from the clinch as well as total ground control. The fight ended 2:12 into the 3rd round via TKO due to unanswered knees. After the fight, Fodor graciously credited his trainer Matt Hume for his success in this fight and in MMA as a whole. A bout with [#206] Jorge Gurgel would truly test if Fodor is ready for the next level. Fodor leaps 175 spots up the ranks from [#399] to [#224] and moves to 3-0 in his last 3 bouts. David Douglas showed that he needs to work on his cardio, which was one of his biggest enemies in this fight. Douglas takes a precipitous 182 spot drop, plummeting from [#270] to {#452]. David Douglas should look to come back in a fight against [#470] Anthony Avila, who gained a victory over unranked Rafael Rios on the undercard.
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Lorenz Larkin (9 – 0 – 0) kept his undefeated streak alive by blitzing Scott Lighty (6 – 2 – 0) and winning at 3:15 of the 2nd round by TKO via punches. Larkin clearly had faster, more precision strikes against K-1 veteran Scott Lighty, who looked like he had no answer as the fight drew on. Larkin floored Lighty numerous times in the fight before the referee decided that Lighty had taken enough punishment. Lorenz Larkin, who jumps 24 spots forward from [#121] to [#95], should face [#83] Antwain Britt or [#40] Ovince St. Preux next. Scott Lighty falls 65 spots from [#162] to [#227]. Perhaps a bout with Kimbo Slice’s cousin [#181] Rhadi Ferguson would show where both fighters belong. Lighty is 0 and 2 in his last two Strikeforce appearances, and he has not won inside Strikeforce since August of 2009.
Catchweight (165 lbs)
James Terry (10 – 2 – 0) knocked out Josh Thornburg (6 – 2 – 0) with one punch at 4:38 of the 1st round, extending his win streak to 3. Thornburg, who was a late replacement for the injured Conor Heun, did not have an answer for the varied stand up arsenal of Terry. Terry was able to get inside Thornburg’s longer range and punish him from inside. Terry, who jumped 106 spots from [#270WW] to [#164WW], should face [#189] Nathan Coy or [#148] Roger Bowling at an upcoming “Strikeforce Challengers Series.” Josh Thornburg, who remains unranked, should get one more shot inside Strikeforce since he came in on short notice as an injury replacement.
Welterweight (170 lbs)
Damion Douglas (4 – 1 – 0) won a contentious split decision over Wayne Phillips (5 – 4 – 0) in the Showtime televised opener. Both men had their moments controlling the fight, but fatigue proved to be both men’s worst enemy in the fight as time wore on. Douglas, who was previously unranked, enters the ranks at [#315]. He should face [#295] Sam Oropeza next. Wayne Phillips could have easily been given this decision, but he falls 96 spots from [#228] to [#324]. [#394] Ryan Larson would be a good litmus test for Phillips next.
Preliminary Bouts
Lightweight (155 lbs)
Anthony Avila (4 – 1 – 0) won a lackluster unanimous decision over Rafael Rios (3 – 2 – 0). Avila, who was previously unranked, enters the ranks at [#470]. A bout with [#495] Bobby Stack would be good for Avila. Avila is on a 3 fight win streak, 2 coming by TKO or KO. Rafael Rios, who is now on a 2 fight slide, remains unranked.
Bantamweight (135 lbs)
Robert Escalante (2 – 2 – 0) submitted Raul Sandoval (3 – 3 – 0) via armbar 4:10 into the 1st round. Escalante is 2 -1 in his last 3, winning both by stoppages. Sandoval is on a 3 fight losing streak, losing 2 of those 3 by submission. Both fighters remain unranked.
Lightweight (155 lbs)
Tristan Arenal (3 – 1 – 0) defeated Tom Peterson (2 – 3 – 0) by armbar submission at 1:58 into the 1st round. Arenal dropped Peterson with a right hand and then followed with ground and pound, bloodying his opponent. Arenal gained full mount and took the armbar for the win. Arenal is 3-0 in his last 3, winning all by stoppage. Peterson is on a 3 fight losing streak. Both fighters remain unranked.
Flyweight (Under 131 lbs)
Ronald Carillo (2 – 1 – 0) submitted Adam Antolin (3 – 3 – 0) by rear naked choke 1:48 into the 1st round. Carillo is on a 2 fight win streak, stopping both his opponents. Antolin is on a 2 fight slide post returning to action after a 20 month layoff, losing both by rear naked choke in the first round.