Billy Evangelista survived the whirlwind that is Jorge Gurgel, pulling out a three-round unanimous decision at Strikeforce Challengers Series 4 on Friday night at Save Mart Center in Fresno on Showtime.

Gurgel did nothing to hurt his stock, turning in yet another amazing effort.

Evangelista got some hard-earned experience against one of the toughest 155-pounders in the world.

"I was trying but the guy's tough," Evangelista said. "What can I say? Exactly, what I expected. Jorge is friggin' awesome. Hie was very aggressive. I gotta give my hat off to the guy. He did a great job."

Gurgel, as always, was gracious in defeat and had nothing to be ashamed of with his valiant effort.

"My hats off to Billy," Gurgel said. "I came in to fight the No. 1 contender, undefeated, in his hometown of Fresno. I expected their booing. All I I wanted at the end of the fight was to get your guys' respect and not get booed anymore. I think I did just that. Hats off to Billy. He's a great fighter. I'm sorry to my camp, crew, everybody at Sityodtong, Mark Della Grotte. I'm very embarrassed. I'll do better next time."

Evangelista and Gurgel engaged in some good back-and-forth exchanges, but Evangelista's late takedown probably gave him the first round.

Gurgel started off strong in the second round, connecting with a series of combinations. But Evangelista was able to score a takedown and deliver some effective ground-and-pound before the fight was stood back up by the referee for no apparent reason. Gurgel rallied late in the round, dropping Evangelista with a head kick and sinking in a guillotine choke. But Evangelista popped his head out with a few seconds left and was able to survive the round.

Both fighters let it all hang out in the final round, which featured some furious exchanges. Evangelista, who suffered a nasty cut on his left eyebrow, got a takedown in the final minute that might have given him a slight edge.

All three judges scored the fight for Evangelista, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

Evangelista, of Fresno, upped his record to 10-0, while Gurgel, of Cincinnati, Ohio, dropped to 13-6 with the loss.

Team Oyama heavyweight Shane Del Rosario (9-0) of Irvine withstood a ferocious onslaught by Brandon Cash (5-1) of Fresno and was nearly knocked out before rallying to submit Cash with an omoplata at 2:57 of the first round.

"I knew he was going to come out swinging and I was expecting it, but for some reason he caught me," Del Rosario said. "He was very tough. He was stronger than I expected, actually. He had me down and hit me hard a few times."

Team Quest's Jesse Taylor (13-4) of Murrieta wanted to take American Kickboxing Academy's Luke Rockhold (5-1) of San Jose to the ground. Taylor got his wish, but unfortunately for him that's where the submission wizard is at his best. Rockhold submitted the former All-American wrestler with a rear-naked choke at 3:42 of the first round.

"It means a lot, you know, it's a big name for me," Rockhold said. "He's a valid opponent. He's a tough guy. He proved it. It's the toughest match I've had on the ground. He put me in the worst position I've been in any of my fights. I rose to the challenge. I'm looking forward to what's next."

Lightweight Warren Merritt (5-2) of Pleasanton submitted Thomas Diagne (1-1) of San Jose with a reverse heel hook at 3:49 of the first round.

"I knew this guy had crazy kicks," Merritt said. "His mistake was taking me to the floor."

Zoila "Warrior Princess" Frausto (4-0) of Fresno outpointed Elisha Helsper (0-2) of Coeur D'Alene, Ind., over three rounds for a unanimous decision in a 135-pound women's bout. All three judges scored it 30-27 for Frausto.

"She's tough," Frausto said. "She's really tough. I gave her some hard shots and she just kept coming."

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