Strikeforce Challengers Female Tournament, Live Blog and Results

Bleacher Report is live on the scene at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona for Strikeforce Challengers 10.

Tonight, Strikeforce is going to promote a one-night four woman tournament to decide the next contender to champion Sarah Kaufman’s 135-lbs title after Kaufman defends her crown against Marloes Coenen at a later date.

Miesha Tate, Hitomi Akano, Maiju Kujala and Carina Damm will make history tonight in the first ever single night female tournament under the Strikeforce banner. All four competitors have trained hard and are hungry to prove their worth in the women’s welterweight division.

Also on the card, Ryan Couture—son of UFC hall of famer Randy Couture—will make his professional debut against fellow Strikeforce newcomer Lucas Stark. Plus, Arizona’s own Joe Riggs will look to reestablish himself as a contender when he meets up and coming prospect Louis Taylor in the main event.

But first, the action will kick off with a series of preliminary matchups featuring some local talent and bright young prospects.

Jace Crawford vs. Frankie Sainz

First preliminary bout is about to go underway, stay tuned to this blog for round by round updates. 

The internet connection took awhile to connect, but essentially Sainz is up two rounds to one. We bring you to the action in the middle of the third and final round.

Sainz is looking to take Crawford's back, he is now in the mount position. Crawford is doing a solid job defending but Sainz is imposing his will. The two go for broke as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round and the fight for Sainz, 30-28.

The judges score it unanimously for Frankie Sainz

A pretty interesting fight between two up and comers.

Andres Acuna vs. Edwin Louis

Round 1

Acuna lands a solid leg kick, the two trade punches and Acuna has Lois pushed up against the fence. Louis reverses and now has Acuna pressed up, Acuna goes for a hip toss takedown and Louis reverses. Louis is now on top, Acuna is working from the rubber guard looking to set up a submission. The two scramble on the ground. Louis is looking to set up an ankle lock, Acuna reverses out of it and they stand back up. Acuna landing solid shots as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9 for Acuna

Round 2

They immediately come out strong throwing punches. Acuna has Louis up against the cage, Lois attempts a kimura from behind and Acuna lifts him up and slams him off his back. After a stalemate on the ground the ref stands them back up. Acuna charges forward, they go back to the ground, and Acuna is reining down punches from the top position. Acuna imposing his will from the top with ground and pound as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9 for Acuna

Round 3

Louis comes out throwing a flurry of punches and Acuna easily takes him down. Louis almost locks in a guillotine choke but Acuna reverses out of it. Acuna back on top, Louis going for submission attempts but is unsuccessful. They stand back up, Acuna lands a solid 1-2 combination and presses Louis back up against the cage. Acuna being very aggressive and drops Louis with power shots. Louis in survival mode as the round comes to an end. 

Bleacher Report scores the round and the fight for Acuna, 30-27.

Result- Andres Acuna by unanimous decision

Rob Anderson vs. Alonzo Fears

Round 1

The two circle off and Anderson lands a solid shot and they both start swinging for the fences. Fears landing knees while pressing Anderson up against the cage, Anderson reverses the position and is now looking for a takedown but Fears defends. Anderson working Fears against the fence, throws an overhand and then successfully takes Fears down. My laptop battery is about to die and we do not have outlets to charge laptop, stay tuned.

Round 2

Round 3

Joel Champion vs. Sean Scott

Power is back on

Quick result: Joel Champion via first round knockout

Jeffrey Anderson vs. Edmund Xehilli

Quick result: Jason Richey via split decision.

Ryan Diaz vs. Chris Gruetzemacher

Quick result: Chris Gruetzemacher via TKO (cut)

Tournament Reserve Bout: Liz Carmouche vs. Colleen Schneider

Round 1

Carmouche  comes out aggressive pushing Shneider up against the fence. The two pummel for position, Schneider landing some knees and gets taken to the ground by Carmouche. They aren't down long as Schneider scrambles back to her feet and Carmouche presses her back up against the cage. Carmouche takes her down again and is working from the top position. Carmouche working some ground and pound while Schneider looks to sweep and reverse the position but she is unsuccessful.  The round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Carmouche

Round 2

Carmouche coming out very aggressive again landing some good strikes. Schneider lands with a tha kick that grazes Carmouches face and Carmouche answers back with strikes of her own. Carmouche is controlling the action everywhere this fight goes. Shneider misses with a spinning back kick and Carmouche has her pressed up against the cage again. Schneider now takes Carmouche down as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round and the fight for Liz Carmouche, 20-19.

The Result:Liz Carmouche by unanimous decision

If one of the tournament contestants is unable to continue, Carmouche will take their place in the tournament.

First Round Tournament Matchup: Miesha Tate vs. Maiju Kujala

Round 1

Tate shoots for atakedown, Kujala defending and Tate has Kujala up against the cage. Tate lands a good knee to the body, she is pressing Kujala up and working her with knees. Tate takes Kujala down and Kujala grabs hold of her head looking to sink a choke in. Tate looking to free her head, Kujala not letting go easily. Ref stand them up while Kujala was working, Tate comes out hard throwing strikes and the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Tate

Round 2

Tate comes out throwing hard strikes and once again controlling the action keeping Kujala pressed up against the cage. They are back in the middle of the cage trading strikes. Tate gets her in the Muay Thai clinch and lands a few good knees. Kujala throws a combination and Tate catches her with a takedown. Tate is now working from the top, Kujala grabs her head as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9, for Tate

Result: Miesha Tate via unanimous decision

First Round Tournament Matchup: Hitomi Akano vs. Carina Damm

Round 1

Akano lands a foot jab to start the action, after a brief exchange Damm takes Akano to the ground and has her back. Akano keeping Damm in her guard, after a stalemate on the ground the ref stands them up. Damm lands a big shot and Akano takes Damm down, Akano now on top. They scramble on the ground as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9 for Damm

Round 2

Damm starts the round off with a spinning backfist that lands. Damm gets Akano to the ground and they scramble for position. Akano threatens with an armbar and gets it.

Result: Hitomi Akano via submission (triangle choke) 1:40

Ryan Couture vs. Lucas Stark

Round 1

They circle, Stark throws a leg kick. Couture clinches with Stark and gets the takedown. Couture working from the top now, transitions into a triangle choke and Stark taps.

Result: Ryan Couture via submission (triangle choke), 1:15

Tournament Final: Miesha Tate vs. Hitomi Akano

Round 1

Tate throws a high kick that misses and they circle around feeling each other out. Tate throws a front kick pushing Akano back, Tate misses with another head kick. Akano clinches with Tate, Tate pushes Akano up against the cage. Tate takes Akano's back, Akano rolls to the ground. Tate working from Akano's back, Akano defending. Akano grabs hold of a leg lock, Miesha reverses out of it and stands back up. Tate gets back on top of Akano, lands some solid shots as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9 for Tate

Round 2

Tate lands a stiff leg kick, Akano circles away. Tate being the aggressor, putting together good combinations. Tate takes her back and brings her to the ground and they battle for position. Tate looking to lock in an armbar but Akano escapes as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9 for Tate

Round 3

Tate hurts Akano with a body kick, doesn't take Tate long to bring her back to the ground. Tate threatens with a rear naked choke, Akano escapes, Tate still working from Akano's back. Tate comes close to finishing with a kimura, Akano rolls out. Tate lands a hard punch from the top, looks to apply the rear naked as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round and the fight for Tate, 30-29

Result: Miesha Tate via unanimous decision

Main Event: Joe Riggs vs. Louis Taylor

Round 1

Taylor lands a kick to the body, circles away. They feel each other out on the feet before Taylor stuffs a takedown from Riggs. Taylor now pressing Riggs up against the cage, crowd chanting "Diesel". Taylor takes Riggs down, Taylor working from the top while Riggs has arm control, Taylor backs away and stands back up. Riggs lands a powerful right cross, Taylor fires back. Taylor misses with a spinning backfist. They trade strikes as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9 for Taylor

Round 2

Taylor comes out to the round without his mouthpiece in, ref calls a timeout for Taylor to put his mouthpiece in. They trade leg kicks and punches in the center of the ring. Taylor landing the crisper shots it seems. Taylor lands a swift body punch, Riggs retaliates with a crisp combination. Taylor lands a big shot and now has Riggs pressed against the cage. Taylor takes Riggs down and is now on top. Taylor controlling from the top position and landing shots as the round ends.

Bleacher Report scores the round, 10-9 for Taylor

Round 3

Riggs hurts Taylor with a big shot that buckles Taylor. Riggs now on top of Taylor in the corner. Riggs now landing shots from the top and the ref stops the fight.

Result:Joe Riggs def Louis Taylor via (T)KO,