A battle between Jorge Gurgel lightweight Joe Duarte was formalized as the main event for Strikeforce Challenger 18, Aug. 12 in Las Vegas.
Showtime Event will be held at the Palms Casino Resort base, challengers' by Strike Force July 22, 17 challengers.
Gurgel (14-7), who became famous with the UFC 2006 to 2008, will return to action under the umbrella of Zuffa with the emergence of a fifth of Strikeforce. Gurgel is 2-2 with Strikeforce, with victories over Conor Heun and Billy Evangelista Billy Vaughan and losses and KJ Noons. Often criticized for choosing to strike rather than take advantage of their experience of black belt Brazilian jiu-jistu, Noons responded to criticism in March with a presentation of 44 seconds against Vaughan. The victory was the guillotine submission Gurgel first time in over six years.
Duarte (9-2), seven years younger than Gurgel, was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter 8, but was not taken up by the UFC at the end of the show. Duarte joined Strikeforce in April this year, beating Saad Awad by Armbar submission in the second round.
Showtime Event will be held at the Palms Casino Resort base, challengers' by Strike Force July 22, 17 challengers.
Gurgel (14-7), who became famous with the UFC 2006 to 2008, will return to action under the umbrella of Zuffa with the emergence of a fifth of Strikeforce. Gurgel is 2-2 with Strikeforce, with victories over Conor Heun and Billy Evangelista Billy Vaughan and losses and KJ Noons. Often criticized for choosing to strike rather than take advantage of their experience of black belt Brazilian jiu-jistu, Noons responded to criticism in March with a presentation of 44 seconds against Vaughan. The victory was the guillotine submission Gurgel first time in over six years.
Duarte (9-2), seven years younger than Gurgel, was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter 8, but was not taken up by the UFC at the end of the show. Duarte joined Strikeforce in April this year, beating Saad Awad by Armbar submission in the second round.
Complete Card:
Houston Alexander vs. Razak Al-Hassan, 3 rounds, light heavyweights
Coty Wheeler vs. Jens Pulver, 3 rounds, featherweights
Junie Browning vs. Lenny Lovato, 3 rounds, lightweights
Jamie Yager vs. Willie Parks, 3 rounds, middleweights
Tyler East vs. Chris Guillen, 3 rounds, heavyweights
Angelica Chavez vs. Diana Rael, 3 rounds, 105-pound fighters
Conrad Padilla vs Guy Youell, 3 rounds, featherweights
Josh Montoya vs. Jason Sampson, 3 rounds, featherweights
Sean Spencer vs. TBA, 3 rounds, welterweights
Rocky Ramirez vs. Mark Lujan, 3 rounds, middleweights