Strikeforce: Los Angeles
Encyclopedia
Strikeforce: Los Angeles, also referred to as Strikeforce Live was a mixed martial arts
held by Strikeforce
. The event took place on June 16, 2010 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California
.
According to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, “The June 16 card will include some top-heavy main-event fighters, as well as some standout ‘Challenger’ prospects.”
Jason Miller was targeted as Lawler's opponent for this event. However, Strikeforce officials believe the Tennessee Athletic Commission will have "Mayhem" suspended, so Renato Babalu Sobral ended up being Robbie Lawler's opponent in a 195-lb Catchweight bout.
Bobby Lashley was set to face Ron Sparks
on this card, however, Lashley dropped out after injuring his knee in training.
Charles Bennett was set to have a rematch against KJ Noons but Bennett was forced to pull out for an undisclosed reason. He was replaced by Conor Heun
.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed in an interview on June 9, 2010 that the winner of the Robbie Lawler
vs. Renato Sobral
fight would get a title shot in their respective division. Sobral would fight Muhammed Lawal
, or Lawler would fight Jake Shields
, though he was later replaced by Ronaldo Souza in the proposed matchup after Shields signed with the UFC. After winning the fight, Sobral announced that he wouldn't fight Lawal due to their friendship, and instead challenged Dan Henderson
, who would defeat Sobral at Strikeforce: St. Louis
on December 4th, 2010 by TKO. The light heavyweight title shot would instead go to Rafael Cavalcante
, who beat Lawal by TKO for the title at Strikeforce: Houston on August 21st, 2010.
The event drew an estimated 164,000 viewers, with a peak at 197,000 on Showtime.
. The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighter's income.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
held by Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
. The event took place on June 16, 2010 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
Background
The card took place on a Wednesday and coincided with the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).According to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, “The June 16 card will include some top-heavy main-event fighters, as well as some standout ‘Challenger’ prospects.”
Jason Miller was targeted as Lawler's opponent for this event. However, Strikeforce officials believe the Tennessee Athletic Commission will have "Mayhem" suspended, so Renato Babalu Sobral ended up being Robbie Lawler's opponent in a 195-lb Catchweight bout.
Bobby Lashley was set to face Ron Sparks
Ron Sparks (fighter)
Ron Sparks is an American mixed martial artist, currently fighting for Bellator Fighting Championships in the Heavyweight division. Sparks is also known as "The Monster".-Bellator Fighting Championship:...
on this card, however, Lashley dropped out after injuring his knee in training.
Charles Bennett was set to have a rematch against KJ Noons but Bennett was forced to pull out for an undisclosed reason. He was replaced by Conor Heun
Conor Heun
Conor Heun is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Lightweight division.-Mixed martial arts career:...
.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed in an interview on June 9, 2010 that the winner of the Robbie Lawler
Robbie Lawler
Robert Glen "Robbie" Lawler is an American mixed martial artist Lawler was the EliteXC middleweight champion before EliteXC filed for bankruptcy. Lawler has recently signed with Strikeforce. He is a member of Team Hughes fighting out of H.I.T...
vs. Renato Sobral
Renato Sobral
Renato da Cunha Sobral , also known as "Babalu", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. He is regarded as one of the best light heavyweights of the night, and noted for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. Sobral...
fight would get a title shot in their respective division. Sobral would fight Muhammed Lawal
Muhammed Lawal
|-| Win|align=center| 8–1| Roger Gracie| KO | Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov| |align=center| 1|align=center| 4:37|Cincinnati, Ohio, United States|||-| Loss|align=center| 7–1| Rafael Cavalcante| TKO...
, or Lawler would fight Jake Shields
Jake Shields
Jake Shields is an American mixed martial artist who is currently fighting in the welterweight division of the UFC. He is the last Rumble on the Rock 175 lb champion. He is the first and last Elite XC Welterweight Champion. He is also the former Shooto Middleweight Champion and is the former...
, though he was later replaced by Ronaldo Souza in the proposed matchup after Shields signed with the UFC. After winning the fight, Sobral announced that he wouldn't fight Lawal due to their friendship, and instead challenged Dan Henderson
Dan Henderson
Daniel Jeffery Henderson, is an American mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler, who competes as a middleweight and light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and was the last Welterweight and Middleweight champion...
, who would defeat Sobral at Strikeforce: St. Louis
Strikeforce: St. Louis
Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II, also known as Strikeforce: St. Louis, was a mixed martial arts event that was held by Strikeforce on December 4, 2010 at the Scottrade Center in St Louis, Missouri, United States.-Background:...
on December 4th, 2010 by TKO. The light heavyweight title shot would instead go to Rafael Cavalcante
Rafael Cavalcante
Rafael Cavalcante is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division. He trains with Anderson Silva and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira as part of the Black House camp. He currently competes in Strikeforce, where he is the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion...
, who beat Lawal by TKO for the title at Strikeforce: Houston on August 21st, 2010.
The event drew an estimated 164,000 viewers, with a peak at 197,000 on Showtime.
Main Card
- Catchweight (195 lb) bout:
Robbie LawlerRobbie LawlerRobert Glen "Robbie" Lawler is an American mixed martial artist Lawler was the EliteXC middleweight champion before EliteXC filed for bankruptcy. Lawler has recently signed with Strikeforce. He is a member of Team Hughes fighting out of H.I.T...
vs.
Renato SobralRenato SobralRenato da Cunha Sobral , also known as "Babalu", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. He is regarded as one of the best light heavyweights of the night, and noted for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. Sobral...
- Sobral defeated Lawler via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).
- Welterweight bout: Marius ŽaromskisMarius ŽaromskisMarius Žaromskis is a Lithuanian welterweight mixed martial artist. After fighting the majority of his career for British promotion Cage Rage, he signed with DREAM in 2009 and then, later that year, with Strikeforce. With DREAM, Žaromskis won their 2009 Welterweight Grand Prix and became their...
vs. Evangelista SantosEvangelista SantosEvangelista Santos is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who is a member of the famous Chute Boxe Academy. He has fought in Strikeforce, Pride Fighting Championship, Cage Rage, International Vale Tudo Championships and Pancrase. He is currently fighting for World Victory Road and Strikeforce...
- Welterweight bout: Marius Žaromskis
- Santos defeated Zaromskis via TKO (strikes) at 2:38 of round 1.
- Middleweight bout: Tim KennedyTim F KennedyTimothy Fred Kennedy is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights for the MMA promotion Strikeforce. He is one of the only fighters to simultaneously serve full time in the United States Army while fighting professionally....
vs.
Trevor PrangleyTrevor PrangleyTrevor Prangley is a South African mixed martial artist who currently fights for Strikeforce. He has previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and competes in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions...
- Middleweight bout:
- Kennedy defeated Prangley via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:35 of round 1.
- Catchweight (160 lb) bout: Conor HeunConor HeunConor Heun is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Lightweight division.-Mixed martial arts career:...
vs. KJ Noons
- Catchweight (160 lb) bout:
- Noons defeated Heun via split decision (27–30, 29–28, 29–28).
Preliminary Card
- Catchweight (160 lbs) bout: R.J. Clifford vs. Jeremy Umphries
- Umphries defeated Clifford via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of round 2.
- Bantamweight bout: Marcus Kowal vs. Hugo Sandoval
- Bantamweight bout:
- Sandoval defeated Kowal via TKO (strikes) at 0:43 of round 2.
Reported Payout
The following is a list of fighter salaries as provided by the California State Athletic CommissionCalifornia State Athletic Commission
The California State Athletic Commission regulates professional boxing, professional and amateur kickboxing and professional mixed martial arts throughout the State by licensing all participants and supervising the events....
. The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighter's income.
- Renato "Babalu" Sobral: $100,000 (no win bonus) def. Robbie Lawler: $85,000
- Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos: $10,000 (no win bonus) def. Marius Zaramoskis: $5,000
- Tim Kennedy: $30,000 (no win bonus) def. Trevor Prangley: $30,000
- K.J. Noons: $25,000 (no win bonus) def. Conor Heun: $4,000
- Jeremy Umphries: $1,500 (no win bonus) def. R.J. Clifford: $2000
- Hugo Sandoval: $1,500 (no win bonus) def. Marcus Kowal: $1,000