In main event action last night, UFC and Strikeforce veteran Jorge Gurgel lost by decision last night to fellow Strikeforce lightweight Joe Duarte. Bloody Elbow recaps the action:
Jorge Gurgel vs. Joe Duarte - Round 1 - They touch gloves and trade a few punches, both men landing left hands. Duarte landing another nice let hand. Gurgel with a nice three punch combo. Two more shots by GUrgel land. Nice low kick by Gurgel. Left hook lands for Gurgel. Gurgel is clearly able to win the fight on the feet and is occasionally looking for a takedown but it's not a vital part of his offense. Nice right hand by Duarte. Duarte landed some nice punches at the end of the round and finished with a takedown. I'd still go 10-9 Gurgel.
Round 2 - Gurgel with a walking series of punches that miss. Duarte lands a counter right. Gurgel coming forward and occasionally landing leg kicks. Uppercut lands for Duarte. Right hand now. Gurgel has shot for a few takedowns this fight but Duarte has avoided them with ease. Duarte is having a much better round than he did in the first. Duarte working his jab in the later stages of the round. Overhand right by Duarte buzzes Gurgel a little bit. 10-9 round for Duarte t even it up on my card.
Round 3 - A few punches land for Gurgel early. Gurgel is stepping it up early in this round. Landing a nice head kick now and a series of punches. Now Gurgel looking for a takedown. Duarte ends up in top position in Gurgel's butterfly guard with over half the round remaining. Gurgel landing elbows off his back. Healy postures up briefly to land a couple punches.Duarte stands up though instead of riding position to try to steal the round. Right hand by Gurgel. Duarte with a takedown with 30 seconds left. Gurgel with more elbows off his back as the round ends. 10-9 Gurgel makes it 29-28 Gurgel on my card.
Official scorecards: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 all for Joe Duarte. Joe Duarte wins by unanimous decision.
Gurgel is now 2-3 in Strikeforce.
In co-main event action, Rashad Evans' training partner and jiu-jitsu black belt Danillo Villefort dropped a decision loss to American Kickboxing Academy welterweight Nathan James. MMA Nation scored this fight for Villefort as did BE:
Nate James vs. Danillo Villefort - Round 1 - Villefort with a leg kick and a nice elbow. James is just getting countered every time he throws anything. James with an overhand right but he eats a leg kick in response. Head kick by James and he eats a leg kick from Villefort. James lands the better punch in an exchange for once. Right hand by Villefort lands. Thai plum and Villefort lands a few knees. James turns Villefort into the cage but gets thrown and Villefort is in side control. Right to the mount now. Just misses a big elbow and James gives up his back. Villefort looks for the rear naked choke but can't get it locked in before the end of the round. 10-9 Villefort.
Round 2 - Villefort working the leg kicks early. Cartwheel by Villefort after a leg kick by James. One-two by James now. Both guys land in an exchange. James is much more in the fight this round, holding his own and even winning some exchanges. Takedown into side control by Villefort. Villefort is looking to set up the arm triangle but the position of the fence may prevent it. James gives up his back, Villefort slips off trying to take it. James on top in Villefort's guard now. Villefort looks for a triangle and then switches to a knee bar attempt, neither of which do much. James landing some punches and hammerfists. Very close round that time. I'll go 10-9 Villefort.
Round 3 - James is landing some punches early and he has started to really tag Villefort. Villefort shoots for the takedown now and almost gets the arm in guillotine but James gets out. James on top now landing some decent punches but should probably stand up as he was really busting Villefort up on the feet. They're stood up after a lack of action. James lands some nice punches but Villefort lands a nice back elbow. James with a takedown now. 10-9 James. I can totally see him taking this fight on at least 2 scorecards.
Official scorecards: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 all for Nate James. Nate James wins by unanimous decision. (edit: hearing that it was actually 30-27 Villefort, 29-28 James, 29-28 James for a split decision)