Before the event, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker formally announced Strikeforce's July 30 card from Chicago will be headlined by a 220-pound catchweight contest between Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko. Additionally, the five prelim bouts from the show will be broadcast on HDNet in a two hour block, including Gesias Cavalcante vs. Justin Wilcox and K.J. Noons vs. Jorge Masvidal. Future Strikeforce Challengers events starting in July will all take place at the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas.
Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Hamill
Jackson is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and has fought many of the world's all time best fighters in Pride and the UFC. Hamill has a wrestling background and notable wins over Keith Jardine, Tito Ortiz and Mark Munoz. A deaf athlete, there is a movie coming out on his life and career. This was originally scheduled to be the semi-main event of this show, but a lightweight title bout between Frank Edgar and Gray Maynard was canceled due to injuries.
Round 1. Hamill lands a leg kick at the start of the fight. Hamill shoots for a takedown but Jackson defends and lands some big punches on Hamill for the effort. Jackson connects with a right hook that sends Hamill back. Hamill backs up Jackson with a pair of straight punches. Hamill moves in for a takedown and nearly gets caught with an uppercut in the process. Hamill goes for another takedown and this time eats a knee. Jackson is doing a good job creating significant disincentives for Hamill to try takedowns. Hamill goes for another takedown and again eats a big knee in response. Jackson gets Hamill against the cage and opens up with some power punches and a vicious knee to the body. Hamill is bleeding from the mouth. 10-9 Jackson.
Round 2. Jackson immediately goes back to work with power punches. Hamill again looks for a takedown but doesn't come close. Hamill tries again for the takedown. He doesn't get it but at least this time he is able to retain a clinch. Hamill keeps looking for the takedown and Jackson hammers him with knees and an uppercut. Hamill starts to go for a takedown but seems to think better of it two feet out and Jackson pushes forward with heavy punches in response. Hamill lands a jab and circles while Jackson pushes the action. Hamill goes for another takedown and receives an uppercut and hook this time in retaliation. Jackson connects with a hard hook but Hamill has a very good chin and appears in no danger. Jackson goes to the body with a pair of punches and then a couple knees to the body. 10-9 Jackson. The result of this fight seems inevitable by this point.
Round 3. Hamill looks for a superman punch at the onset. Hamill looks for the takedown but doesn't come close. Jackson lands a body punch and knee to the body and Hamill pushes him against the cage. Jackson connects with an elbow and hook that may have been his best punch of the fight. Hamill absorbed it without any trouble. He can take a punch. The crowd boos as the pace slows down. Jackson punishes Hamill with another knee to the body. He lands another big knee to the body moments later and opens up with additional punches to close the round. Hamill takes a knee as the round ends and someone throws a drink at the Octagon. Solid but unspectacular win for Jackson. 10-9 Jackson, 30-27 Jackson.
Winner: Quinton Jackson, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). The crowd boos the decision being read, clearly in reaction to not liking the fight as opposed to thinking Hamill won. Jackson says that he injured his hand. Jackson is now in line for a title shot against Jon Jones.
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