Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Cung Le Play-by-Play

Tonight I will be going live at 9 PM ET with a play-by-play of Strikeforce/EliteXC: Shamrock vs. Le.

Strikeforce/EliteXC: Shamrock vs. Le

Main Card:

Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le
Drew Fickett vs. Jae Suk Lim
Gilbert Melendez vs. Gabe Lemley
Mike Kyle vs. Wayne Cole
Joey Villasenor vs. Ryan Jensen
Marlon Sims vs. Billy Evangelista (Swing Bout)

Preliminary Bouts:

Tiki Ghosn vs. Luke Stewart
Darren Uyenoyama vs. Anthony Figueroa
Jesse Jones vs. Jesse Gillespie

It’s showtime folks!

In an interview backstage with Bill Goldberg, Frank Shamrock says that things have changed since their days of sparring. Shamrock went on to say that he is looking to beat Le at his own game.

First up is a middleweight bout between PRIDE veteran Joey Villasenor (24-6) and UFC veteran Ryan Jensen (11-3).

Judges are Richard Bertrand, Cecil Peoples and Marco Rosalas. The referee in charge of the action will be Mario Yamasaki.

Joey Villasenor vs. Ryan Jensen

Round 1: The bout begins with a good straight jab from Jensen as bout fighters slowly feel each other out. Jensen fires off a front kick and Villasenor answers with a high kick that is blocked. Jensen moves in to throw his hands and as he does, Villasenor clinches and takes Villasenor to the canvas. Villasenor is able to pin Jensen against the cage but as he does Jensen is able to regain full guard. Jensen utilizing a high guard while Villasenor stalls on top. Villasenor is able to fire off some body shots from Jensen’s closed guard. The San Jose faithful is beginning to fire out the boo birds. Villasenor postures up and lands a shot. They stand up, clinch and Villasenor lands a solid knee. They move back to the middle and begin to trade jabs. Jensen fires off a jab and as he does Villasenor drops him with a hard shot. Jensen quickly pops back up and both fighters begin to exchange hard punches. Jensen looking to get the better of the exchange. Villasenor fakes a low kick and as he does he eats a hard leg kick. Villasenor then moves forward with two quick left jabs followed by a huge right that sends Jensen to the canvas in a heap.

Winner: Joey Villasenor - KO (Punch)

During the post-fight interview, Villasenor said the double straight jab was a technique they trained to get Jensen to stand straight up allowing him to land the big right. At the end of the interview Villasenor thanked EliteXC and his teammates at Jackson’s Submission Fighting.

Next up is a bout between Wayne Cole (10-6) and UFC veteran Mike “MAK” Kyle (9-6-1). One interesting note, Kyle weighed in at 225 lbs while his opponent, Wayne Cole, tipped the scales at 209 lbs. Herb Dean is the referee in charge of the action.

Mike Kyle vs. Wayne Cole

Round 1: The fight begins with a glove touch as they meet in the middle of the cage. Cole throws a jab early followed by a wild right. Cole then shoots in and secures a beautiful takedown on Kyle. Moments later Cole passes the guard and latches on a beautiful armbar which forces Kyle to quickly tap.

Winner: Wayne Cole - Submission (Armbar)

Very impressive win by Cole. The size factor clearly had no effect on this bout as Cole secured the takedown and quickly submitted Kyle. EliteXC star Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson visible at ringside as they show the replay of Cole’s victory.

EliteXC is now promoting their upcoming show on CBS which is scheduled for May 31 and with that, Kimbo is now making his way to the cage. Very little gained from the interview with Kimbo, he said he is still new in the MMA game and except a brutal and bloody battle in his upcoming bout.

Next up is a bout featuring Gilbert Melendez (13-1) defending his Strikeforce lightweight title against Gabe Lemley (11-6).

Gilbert Melendez vs. Gabe Lemley

Round 1: The bout begins with a glove touch as Lemley quickly comes out and pressures Melendez. Lemley fires off a few quick shots followed by a body kick that Melendez shrugs off. Melendez then lands a hard punch that wobbles Lemley. Lemley quickly regains himself as Melendez shoots in and puts him on his back. Utilizing an active guard, Lemley attempts an omaplata but Melendez works out of it and passes Lemley’s guard. Melendez is able to land a few shots and then he attempts to take mount but Lemley avoids it and regains guard. Melendez postures up and lands a few punches before falling back into Lemley’s guard. Melendez throws 3-4 more shots from the top. Hard hammerfists from Melendez as he works to pass Lemley’s guard. Lemley’s right eye is beginning to show considerable damage. Hard punches from Melendez as he works at a frantic pace. Lemley gets in an upkick as Melendez falls into his half guard. Lemley regains guard but continues to take tons of damage on the bottom. Very hard punches from Melendez on the top. Melendez teeing off on Lemley as he lays on the canvas with his arms covering his head. Herb Dean watching very closely as the fight looks close to being finished. The round ends with Lemley taking loads of damage.

Round 2: Body kick by Lemley as he eats a jab. Melendez answers with two very hard shots. Melendez landing at will, four punches nail the chin of Lemley before Melendez shoots in and puts him on his back in the middle of the canvas. Melendez moves to the half guard as Lemley tries to neutralize an arm. Melendez fires off some more hammerfists before posturing up and moving to side mount. Melendez lands two hammerfists and is warned for hitting the back of the head. Moments later, Melendez lands a flurry of rights that marks the end of the bout.

Gilbert Melendez - TKO (Strikes)

Lemley’s face is showing a great deal of damage as both eyes are swollen. Props for Lemley for showing a great deal of heart and making it out of the initial round. Goldberg speaks with Jake Shields who says he is healing up and looking forward to defending his title on June 14. Shields and Melendez proceed to pose for a picture with Cesar Gracie and Nick Diaz.

According to the broadcast, you can go to SHO.com and watch the main-event through the referee’s camera.

Next up is a #1 contender bout between UFC veteran Drew Fickett (32-5) and Spirit MC welterweight champion Jae Suk Lim (9-3). Lim carries his Spirit MC belt with him on the way to the EliteXC cage.

Drew Fickett vs. Jae Suk Lim

Round 1: After a quick glove touch, Fickett moves forward and initiates the clinch. They stay along the canvas for a moment before separating. Fickett landing some straight punches as Lim answers with a couple of his own. Lim shoots in and puts Fickett on his back but moments later Fickett sweeps him and takes top position. Lim attempts to stand and as he does Fickett locks in a tight guillotine. Lim attempts to slam Fickett but is unable as he drops to the canvas and taps shortly after.

Winner: Drew Fickett - Submission (Guillotine Choke)

It looks like Fickett will still be getting his shot at Shields’ EliteXC welterweight title on June 14 in Hawaii. During the post-fight interview, Shields made his way to the cage and both guys had a quick staredown.

Up next is the main-event featuring Frank Shamrock (24-8-1) and Cung Le (5-0). Showtime is currently showing Cung warming up with Josh Thomson is the back. Judges are Richard Bertrand, Nelson Hamilton and Cecil Peoples with Mario Yamasaki handling the reffing duties.

Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le

Round 1: Shamrock comes out with a low kick early. Le answers with a side kick and high kick. Both fighters exchange kicks. Le tries a spinning back kick and as he does Shamrock shoots in and they separate. Good body kick from Shamrock but Le answers with some bombs to the cranium of Shamrock. The crowd is electric. Low kick from Shamrock. Shamrock misses with a right. Head kick from Le misses. Shamrock gets in a low kick. Good knee from Le answer by a right from Shamrock. Three shot combo by Le that is ended with a good right. Nice side kick from Le. Shamrock answers with a low kick. Good left followed by a very hard body kick from Le. Shamrock attempts to clinch but fails. They exchange more kicks. Body kick from Shamrock blocked. Side kick from Le misses. Le attempts a spinning back kick to the head and slips. Shamrock attacks but Le gets up taking a knee in the process. Back to the middle, Shamrock moves forward and misses with a left but gets in the right. Le misses with a kick and ends the combo with a high kick blocked. Both fighters exchanging more punches. Round coming to a close. Shamrock lands a good combo on Le as the round ends and as he heads to his corner he gestures that Le is going to sleep much like he did in the Baroni fight.

TKO Xtreme: Cung Le 10-9

Very tough to score, Le just seems to be getting the better of the striking.

Round 2: Body kick from Le to open the second stanza. Le answers with two body kicks and a roundhouse kick that knocks Shamrock’s mouthpiece out. Le misses with a high kick. Low kick from Shamrock followed by a right. Le moves forward and lands a two shot combo. Le land a good left jab. Shamrock answers with a body kick. Le catches a kick and pushes Shamrock to the canvas. Low kick from Le checked by Shamrock. Le lands two right hands as Shamrock moves forward. Low kick from Le. Le eats a hard right to the eye. Body kick from Le. Shamrock high kick blocked. Side kick by Le lands hard. Hard right hand by Le rocks Shamrock. They touch gloves. Two straight side kicks by Le. Le moves forward and throws a left ending with a side kick. Low kick from Le. Le misses with a high kick as Shamrock moves forward. Shamrock misses with two punches and then they clash shins. Low kick from Shamrock. Shamrock throws two more rights as the second round comes to a close.

TKO Xtreme: Cung Le 10-9

Very close round, I’d say Le controlled the striking.

Round 3: Le starts out with a side kick and a high roundhouse kick. Shamrock continues to move forward but against Le fends him off with a side kick. Good body shot from Shamrock. Le lands a nice combination ending it with a body kick. Shamrock comes forward and lands a right. Body kick from Shamrock followed by a low kick. Good combination by Le ending with a right. Le with a very hard left kick. Shamrock lands a left right combo ending with a kick that misses. Nice left to the body by Le. Side kick by Le ending with a spinning back fist that cranks Shamrock. Le catches Shamrock’s leg and kicks his feet out putting him on the canvas. The expression on Shamrock’s face just took a drastic change. Left high kick from Le. Shamrock misses with a left and then throws a high kick. More punches from Shamrock. Side kick from Le. Body kick form Le. Shamrock lands a huge right that rocks Le. Le rocked as Shamrock lands bombs. Shamrock landing hard punches. Le answers with some bombs. Body kick from Le. Hard spinning backfist from Cung. Shamrock lands a hard right but Le answers. Shamrock hurt, Le attacking with him against the cage ending the round with a high kick. Shamrock on his knees as the round ends. His corner puts him on the stool.

TKO Xtreme: Draw 10-10

Winner: Cung Le - TKO (Couldn’t Answer the Bell)

The fight is over, Shamrock unable to answer the bell for the third round. Le is the new Strikeforce middleweight champion. Shamrock is laying on his back in pain. They are saying Shamrock has an arm injury, likely from the numerous kicks he was forced to block.

Looking at the replay it looks like it was the finally flurry by Le that did the majority of the damage. Le’s first high kick caught Shamrock’s arm and head hard and the final head kick was right on the jaw.

Shamrock is getting interviewed now and he said Cung Le broke his right arm with a kick and he can feel the bones clicking. Shamrock being respectful saying Le is the better man and a true champion.

Le said the fight was not easy, every time Shamrock dipped he thought he was going to shoot and he also went on to say he was rocked and saw some stars.