Winner via split decision: Evengelista on scores of 29-28 Phan, 29-28 Evangelista, 29-28 Evengelista)

World Lightweight Title
Josh "The Punk" Thompson vs. Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez

Round 1: Thompson got Melendez to the ground early and controlled his position. Thompson stayed on top for the majority of the round. With 90 seconds left in the round, Melendez scrambled up but Thompson connected with a punch and a knee.They exchanged a few strikes as the round came to an end. 10-9 Thompson.

Round 2: The round opened with a heated exchange of punches and kicks before they clinched up against the cage. The fight stayed standing and they ended up back in the middle of the cage exchanging blows. Thompson hit Melendez with a hard knee and Melendez landed a few punches on Thompson. Thompson took Melendez down to finish the round. A great round almost completely standing, with Thompson getting the better of it. 10-9 Thompson.

Round 3: Thompson started nailing Melendez early in the round with punches and kicks. Melendez managed to fight out of it and nailed Thompson with some punches of his own. Thompson almost got a rear naked choke at the end of the round, but he slid off of Melendez as the round ended. Another great round. 10-9 Thompson

Round 4: The pace slowed down a little as both men were looking for an opening. As the round went on they started connecting more, with Melendez visibly shaken from some of Thompson's punches. With a minute left in the round, Thompson took Melendez to the ground and got his back but Melendez broke free. Thompson got Melendez back down and got a rear naked choke, but couldn't put Melendez away. Another great round, 10-9 for Thompson.

Round 5: Thompson got a takedown early in the round. He tried to get Melendez's back but Melendez got out and they were back to their feet. The pace these guys have kept has been incredible, reminiscent of Pulver - Faber a few weeks ago. Thompson nailed Melendez with some big knees and a big kick towards the end of the round. Melendez went to swing at Thompson as the round came to a close. Another great round for a great fight, a closer round than the others, but I still score it 10-9 Thompson.

Winner and new Strikeforce Lightweight Champion: Josh Thompson via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 50-45.

The arena is emptying out but there is one more fight to go.

Jesse Gillespie vs. Eric Lawson
Round 1: Gillespie hurt his finger within seconds of the fight starting and the doctor at ringside ok'd it. After getting the doctor's ok, Lawson took Gillespie to the ground and took his back, clinched in a rear naked choke and Gillespie tapped.

Winner via submission in Round 1 with a rear naked choke: Eric Lawson