Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson is live, and five fighters from California are representing, with one in each of the four main card bouts. Getting things started, we had Jorge Masvidal vs. Billy Evangelista. The latter, Evangelista, was born in Pelier, CA and fights out of Fresno, CA at the prestigious American Kickboxing Academy. Below is the play-by-play as the fight took place.
Billy Evangelista vs. Jorge Masvidal
Round 1
Evangelista takes the center of the cage and swings overhand rights and leg kicks. Masvidal illustrates his reach advantage early with some crisp jabs, backing Evangelista up and stalling his initial attack. Evangelista presses forward with another leg kick, but Masvidal catches a leg and connects with three crisp punches and gets Evangelista to the ground, but they scramble and get back up to their feet, where Masvidal lands a few knees from the clinch and the two press against the cage. As they're backing away, Masvidal lands a knee and Evangelista backs up, trying to hide the fact that he's hurt. Apparently, it works because the commentators neglect to say anything regarding it. Masvidal chases and lands a few more knees, and Evangelista puts him on the ground, sensing the fact that he's losing the standup. Masvidal tries for a guillotine, but his opponent gets back to his feet and the fighters return to the center of the cage. Another sloppy kick from Evangelista and Masvidal catches it again, but neglects to secure a takedown from it. More sloppy exchanges from Evangelista and the round ends with Masvidal landing more knees from the clinch. 10-9 Masvidal
Round 2
The fighters take the center of the cage again and works to get into Masvidal's reach, throwing another sloppy leg kick that almost makes him fall on his own. Evangelista ties up and goes for a takedown, but Masvidal's experience prevents it from being successful. Masvidal lands a trip takedown, but does nothing with it as the fighters get to their feet. On second thought, maybe it did something, as Evangelista is clearly tired, shooting for a takedown that Masvidal shrugs off. Masvidal catches Evangelista with a hard straight right and he has no answer for the veteran. More sloppy takedowns follow, not set up at all by strikes, and Masvidal is on top, dominating the Californian. Masvidal starts with some good movement, dodging around strikes and picking Evangelista apart with his precise striking. The round comes to an end with Evangelista looking very frustrated. 10-9 Masvidal
Round 3
Masvidal can probably finish, but he's content to box from range and time his shots to work Evangelista even more. Evangelista does have power and needs to finish in the third round to win the fight, clearly down 20-18 on the judge's scorecards, so Masvidal is being more cautious at this point. Evangelista goes for a single leg takedown, but Masvidal holds his balance and escapes from the takedown with a brutal elbow to push off. Masvidal lands a hard overhand right and Evangelista backs into the cage, clearly staggered, but Masvidal does not swarm. Evangelista goes for a right overhand, and Masvidal circles away, turning his back to his opponent and clearly showboating at this point. Evangelista lands a couple shots, but Masvidal escapes from the damage. With ten seconds remaining, the fighters exchange knees from the clinch and this one goes to the judges. 10-9 Masvidal
SB Nation Bay Area scores it 30-27 for Jorge Masvidal, and the judges agree with a clean sweep and a 30-27 decision. That puts California at 0-2 on the night.