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Strikeforce to continue its Eastern expansion

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By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 11:11 PM Sunday, November 8, 2009

CHICAGO, Ill. — While once confined to the West Coast, Strikeforce continued its Eastern expansion this past weekend for the CBS-televised “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers” event on Nov. 7.

The success of that show – the Sears Centre Arena near Chicago drew a sellout crowd of 11,512, and ratings are expected to be strong – will mean more shows in the Midwest and on the East Coast, according to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker.

Although his mixed-martial-arts promotion got its start 12 years after the world’s top organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, first launched, Strikeforce has staked claim to No. 2 status with a quickly filling roster and MMA’s only major U.S. network TV deal.

Coker said part of the expansion plan is heading to new markets.

“We were very encouraged by this (Chicago) event,” he said. “This is the farthest east we’ve come, and the fans were ready. We’re going to keep moving farther out and will be all over the country.”

Ohio, which regulates more MMA events than any other state, could soon be part of the expansion, whether it’s hosting one of Strikeforce’s major shows, which air on Showtime or CBS, or a prospects-driven “Challengers” card on Showtime.

And that could mean opportunities for local fighters. On the “Fedor vs. Rogers” card, nine of the preliminary lineup’s 12 fighters came from camps within an hour’s drive of Chicago, and Coker said area talent will be used similarly in other new markets.

Gurgel drops Showtime decision

Jorge Gurgel’s first-ever nationally televised main event ended with a loss, but the West Chester Twp. fighter and trainer’s performance was far from unsuccessful.

Gurgel (13-6), a former UFC fighter, dropped a unanimous decision to undefeated Billy Evangelista (10-0) at the Nov. 6 “Strikeforce Challengers” event at the SaveMartCenter in Fresno, Calif. The lightweight bout headlined Showtime’s live broadcast of the event.

Although a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with a slick ground game, Gurgel instead elected – again – to keep the fight standing and displayed steadily improving striking skills.

Despite the decision (two judges scored it 30-27 and a third 29-28 for Evangelista), the fight was much closer than the scores indicated. (And Evangelista, who fights out of Fresno, certainly had the crowd on his side.)

Gurgel has again proven an exciting fighter with a style that translates well to TV. However, he has now lost four of his past six fights and must now focus more on winning than putting on crowd-pleasing performances.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.mmajunkie.com.

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