Strikeforce Results: Henderson Crowned Champ, Coenen Pulls Off Miracle

Dan Henderson

“Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson” Live Results

“Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson” is set for this evening in Columbus, Ohio, and HeavyMMA.com will be posting live round-by-round results from the main card.

The event features a light heavyweight title clash between champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and top contender Dan Henderson, while Marloes Coenen’s women’s welterweight title is on the line against Liz Carmouche in the co-main event. Also on the card, former middleweight top contender Tim Kennedy will fight Melvin Manhoef, and Billy Evangelista takes on Jorge Masvidal.

Join Heavy.com at 10 p.m. ET for all the action from tonight’s event.

Jorge Masvidal vs. Billy Evangelista

Round 1 – Evangelista misses with a combination, but lands a leg kick. Masvidal looking to work his jab. Another kick scores for Evangelista. Both fighters seem tentative. Masvidal catches a kick and lands several straight rights. They clinch against the cage and begin jostling for position. Knees land for Evangelista, who is pressing his opponent up against the cage. He looks for a trip, but Masvidal maintains his balance. They separate and Masvidal moves forward with shots to the body, followed by a series of knees. Evangelista scores a big takedown midway through the round, but Masvidal is looking for a guillotine. He instead elects to stand up, and Evangelista is pressing him against the cage. Masvidal lands a few more knees to force the separation. One minute remains, and Masvidal catches another kick. Jab by Masvidal finds its home, while Evangelista misses with looping punches. Hook scores for Masvidal, who finishes the round with a pair of knees. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Evangelista.

Round 2 – Kick misses for Evangelista, but Masvidal doesn’t miss with a knee to the body. Evangelista looks for a toss, and Masvidal does well to stop it. Brief exchange follows, but neither land anything significant. Masvidal catches a kick and moves the fight to the floor. Evangelista stands up moments later, however. Jab scores for Masvidal, who stuffs a takedown attempt effortlessly. Evangelista misses with a combination and a leg kick, as well. Brutal knee lands flush for Masvidal, followed by a straight right. Two minutes remaining in the round. Masvidal looks for a single leg takedown and he gets it. Shots to the body score for Masvidal, and he continues to out-muscle his opponent. He lands another knee and elects to separate. Good head movement from Masvidal, who dodges several big shots. Jab lands for Masvidal, but he eats a kick from Evangelista as the round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Masvidal.

Round 3 – Evangelista presses forward with a combination to begin the round, but fails to score. Masvidal is extremely calm, dodging punches and timing his shots well. Evangelista looks for the takedown, but Masvidal remains standing. Elbow scores for Masvidal as the two separate. Jab lands for him shortly after. Overhand right lands for Masvidal, who is looking to turn it up midway through the round. Masvidal shoots for a single leg takedown, but instead presses Evangelista up against the cage. The fighters separate with two minutes to go, and the fans begin to boo the fighters. Left glances off Masvidal’s head, but Evangelista is not landing for the most part. Masvidal continues to work the jab, followed by a nice knee. Uppercut lands for Evangelista, followed by a hook, and he is pressing forward as the round is winding down. Jab lands for Masvidal. The two trade knees as the round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Masvidal.

Official Decision: Masvidal d. Evangelista by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Melvin Manhoef vs. Tim Kennedy

Round 1 – Leg kick lands for Kennedy, who immediately shoots in for a takedown. Manhoef stuffs the takedown, and they separate. Front kick is partially blocked by Manhoef, who defends another takedown. He misses with a leg kick and then catches a leg kick. He shoots off two quick rights before letting go. Leg kick lands for Manhoef, and Kennedy nearly falls to the floor. Another takedown attempt by Kennedy. He continues working at it and finally earns it. Side control for Kennedy, but only for a moment, as he moves to mount. Kennedy is switching between Manhoef’s back and full mount. He scores punches from back position and is now looking for the choke. He gets it, and Manhoef is forced to tap. Impressive performance by Kennedy.

Official Decision: Kennedy d. Manhoef by submission at 3:41 of Round 1

Marloes Coenen vs. Liz Carmouche

Round 1 – Coenen lands a solid leg kick, and Carmouche comes back with one of her own. Coenen misses with a head kick, but scores another leg kick, followed by a jab. Coenen lands a nice right hand, and Carmouche is struggling to get anything going in the striking game. Another leg kick lands for Coenen. She just misses with a head kick. Three minutes left in the round. Leg kick lands for Carmouche, but Coenen lands one of her own. And another. A pair of rights land for Carmouche, who then presses the champion up against the cage. Coenen reverses. They continue jostling for position in the clinch. Not much happening here and there should be a separation shortly. They separate, and Coenen lands a kick. Under a minute left in the round. Coenen misses with a one-two combination, and a kick lands for Carmouche. Coenen comes back with a right hand. She lands a front kick with time running out, and Carmouche clinches as the round ends. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Coenen.

Round 2 –  A pair of leg kicks land for Carmouche to begin the second round. She clinches with Coenen, and they are back against the cage. Coenen looks for knees and lands a pair before Carmouche drops for a takedown. Coenen locks on a standing guillotine, and Carmouche drops to the canvas, successfully escaping the choke. She is in Coenen’s guard with three minutes remaining. Carmouche scores a nice right hand, but Coenen is remaining active, looking for an armbar. Carmouche passes and is in side control. Knees score for the challenger, followed by shots to the body. North-South position for Carmouche now. Back to side control, but looking for the mount. She earns it and is pounding away at Coenen. 30 seconds to go, and Coenen is trying desperately to escape. Short punches by Carmouche, as the round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-8 for Carmouche.

Round 3 – Carmouche immediately locks up with Coenen to begin the round, looking for another takedown. The fighters trade knees in the clinch, but there really isn’t anything happening at this point. It is somewhat surprising the two haven’t been separated yet. More knees. Carmouche is looking for a trip here and she gets it. She transitions to mount almost effortlessly, no doubt looking to do what she did last round. She is landing punches, and Coenen, once again, simply cannot seem to find a way out. Coenen looks to roll out, but Carmouche is still smothering her. High mount for Carmouche, who continues working her ground and pound. If she can put together a flurry, this fight could be over. More short punches, and the round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Carmouche.

Round 4 – Carmouche rushes forward to begin the first championship round, but Coenen is the one who earns the takedown. She stands back up and lands kicks to her opponent. Carmouche stands up and looks to grab hold of a double leg takedown. She earns the takedown, but Coenen is working for a triangle choke. She locks it on, and it is tight. Carmouche taps to the choke, and Coenen has successfully defended her title.

Official Decision: Coenen d. Carmouche by submission at 1:29 of Round 4

Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Dan Henderson

Round 1 – A touch of gloves gets the main event underway, and each fighter looks to find his range. 30 seconds in and nothing really happening. Both fighters showing patience, but Henderson looks to move forward. He lands a nice right hand, but “Feijao” comes back with a right of his own. Henderson trips to the canvas, but composes himself and transitions to top control. He is in Cavalcante’s guard. The challenger is looking to create distance, but Cavalcante has him wrapped up pretty tight. Midway through the round, and Henderson is working shots to the body. The referee steps in and stands the two back up due to lack of action. Henderson pushes forward again, looking to score. He misses, but looks to clinch. Fighters trading knees, as they switch position back and forth. Referee separates the two again with 10 seconds remaining, but no strikes are thrown in the closing moments. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Henderson.

Round 2 – Leg kick lands for Henderson to start the second frame. He throws a big right hand that just misses, but connects with a jab. Cavalcante looks for the takedown, but Henderson clinches him up against the cage. Knees score for the challenger, who is looking for the takedown. Cavalcante is the one who commits to a trip, nearly earning it. Henderson reverses, however, and puts the Brazilian on his back with just over three minutes remaining. He moves to side control and looks for mount, but during the transition he is reversed. “Feijao” working shots to the body. Henderson is doing a good job of keeping his opponent tied up. The referee stands them up with 1:40 remaining in the round. Head kick misses for Cavalcante. He then misses with two big hooks. Henderson clinches with “Feijao” again and he earns the takedown. He is in half guard, landing elbows to the body. Round comes to a close with Henderson on top. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Henderson.

Round 3 – Leg kick lands for Cavalcante, and Henderson misses with a combination. He presses forward, eating a right hand, but sending a nice uppercut Cavalcante’s way. Henderson rocks Cavalcante, who tumbles to the mat. He follows him down and pounds away viciously from back position. The referee steps in to save “Feijao” from further damage, and Dan Henderson is the new Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.

Official Decision: Henderson d. Cavalcante by knockout at 0:50 of Round 3