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West Chester’s Gurgel key part of big Strikeforce week

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By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer Updated 10:57 AM Monday, November 2, 2009

This week could prove the biggest one in the history of Strikeforce, a young promotion that follows a Showtime-televised “Strikeforce Challengers” card on Friday, Nov. 6, with a Saturday event on CBS — one that features perhaps the greatest fighter in MMA history.

The Saturday event kicks off a new multi-event Strikeforce-CBS deal and could help the organization chip away at the UFC’s No. 1 status.

“It’s a big week for us,” company spokesperson Mike Afromowitz recently said. “(Hosting) back-to-back events in different parts of the country definitely has challenges, but we’re ready.”

Because of its unofficial but arguable No. 2 status, it’s easy to forget the California-based Strikeforce has hosted just 22 events to date. The UFC, by contrast, has hosted a staggering 138.

But since launching an MMA division in 2006 (12 years after the UFC’s founding) to complement a successful kickboxing division, Strikeforce has accomplished a lot in a little amount of time.

Prior to the CBS partnership, Strikeforce scored a NBC deal that put a weekly highlights show on the Saturday late-night schedule. Two events at the Playboy Mansion garnered much attention, and a recent talent shopping spree — one that netted famed heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (who turned down a deal with the UFC) — have positioned Strikeforce well.

Friday’s event, which airs live on Showtime (11 p.m.), is the latest under the prospects-driven “Challengers” banner. The event, which takes place at the SaveMartCenter in Fresno, Calif., features a main event between West Chester Twp.’s Jorge Gurgel (13-5) and undefeated Billy Evangelista (9-0). The winner could be in line for a lightweight title fight.

“Strikeforce has signed some big-name lightweights,” said Gurgel, a former UFC fighter. “I see myself leading the division.”

The next day the organization heads to the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., (near Chicago) for its CBS debut.

CBS was the first major U.S. network to air live MMA events, but its deal with EliteXC ended upon the fight promotion’s financial collapse in late 2008.

Strikeforce has taken the slot and debuts with a stellar fight card pitting Emelianenko (30-1) against undefeated Brett Rogers (10-0). The heavyweight tilt has been promoted heavily during CBS’ NFL broadcasts, and a preview show (“FIGHT CAMP 360: Fedor vs. Rogers”) debuts Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. on Showtime.

Saturday’s event, which airs at 9 p.m., also will see the crowning of a middleweight champion when Jake Shields (23-4-1) meets fellow veteran (and MTV “Bully Beatdown” host) Jason “Mayhem” Miller (22-6).

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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