Billy Evangelista is undefeated no more, as one of Strikeforce's best prospects lost in disappointing fashion in his first appearance on a major Strikeforce card on Saturday night.
Fighting the much more experienced Jorge Masvidal, Evangelista turned in an unimpressive performance, losing a unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 30-27 for Masvidal, who improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 21-6. Evangelista falls to 11-1.
Masvidal easily out-struck Evangelista in the early going, frustrating his less experienced opponent with his superior size and reach and sticking and moving to land strikes and get out of the way quickly. Evangelista never really changed up his approach after that, and it became clear as the fight wore on that Evangelista just wasn't going to have any answer for Masvidal.
Late in the third round the fans in Columbus began booing loudly, as Masvidal knew he had the win and wasn't pressing the action, while Evangelista just wasn't doing much of anything. It wasn't a particularly good start to the Showtime televised card.
And it may be Evangelista's first and last shot at a major Strikeforce on Showtime show.
Fighting the much more experienced Jorge Masvidal, Evangelista turned in an unimpressive performance, losing a unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 30-27 for Masvidal, who improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 21-6. Evangelista falls to 11-1.
Masvidal easily out-struck Evangelista in the early going, frustrating his less experienced opponent with his superior size and reach and sticking and moving to land strikes and get out of the way quickly. Evangelista never really changed up his approach after that, and it became clear as the fight wore on that Evangelista just wasn't going to have any answer for Masvidal.
Late in the third round the fans in Columbus began booing loudly, as Masvidal knew he had the win and wasn't pressing the action, while Evangelista just wasn't doing much of anything. It wasn't a particularly good start to the Showtime televised card.
And it may be Evangelista's first and last shot at a major Strikeforce on Showtime show.