HOUSTON – “Strikeforce: Houston“ takes place tonight, Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Toyota Center in Texas, and the night’s main card airs on Showtime beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT.

ProMMAnow.com will provide live results and play-by-play commentary during the broadcast.

Tonight’s event features two title fights, including a battle between Tim Kennedy and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza for the vacant Strikeforce middleweight title.  In the main event, Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal will be defending his title for the first time against Rafael”Feijao” Cavalcante.

Also in action will be K.J. Noons, facing off against Jorge Gurgel in a lightweight contender bout, and heavyweights Bobby Lashley and Chad Griggs round out the main card action.

“Strikeforce: Houston” quick results:

MAIN CARD (Televised)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Not Televised)

“Strikeforce: Houston” play-by-play:

Bobby Lashley vs. Chad Griggs

Round 1 – Lashley shoots immediately and gets an easy takedown.  Lashley postures for some shots but gets kicked off, then quickly transitions to side control.  Lashley is peppering the head of Griggs with right hands.  Lashley looking to pin the left arm of Griggs, but has to settle for more short right hands as boos start to come from the fans.  Lashley tries to step over for full mount, but Griggs works to half guard.  After another take down, Lashley is back in side control.  Griggs works back to his feet and lands a big knee to the body of Lashley.  Lashley has Griggs pinned up against the cage and lands a couple of shots to the body before they are separated by the ref.  After the restart, Lashley shoots again and gets the takedown.  Lashley is bleeding very badly from the top.  Pro MMA now scores Round 1 for Lashley, 10-9.

Round 2 – Lashley’s cut is very bad, but under his eye.  Lashley snatches up Griggs and gets a big slam taking the fight right back down to the ground again.  Lashley in the half guard of Griggs against the cage.  Lashley tries to posture, and stands briefly, before falling into side control.  Lashley with a couple of right hands, but not a whole lot on the strikes.  The referee calls for work, and the fans are booing.  On cue, Lashley responds and turns it on, getting to full mount, and dropping megaton bombs on Griggs.  Griggs is trying to create space for the escape, but Lashley maintains top control from the mount.  To the body now by Lashley as the corner of Griggs screams for him to get on his hips and move.  Lashley postures up and throws a big right hand before putting head pressure on Griggs.  Unbelievably, the referee stands them up… turns out it’s for the doctor to look at the cut, and not a stand up.  Griggs comes forward after the restart, and Lashley shoots from way outside and gets stuffed.  Griggs is landing some big hammerfists as Lashley turtles up as the bell sounds.  Wow!!!  It first appeared that Lashley quit, but after clarification, it was actually a referee stoppage.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Chad Griggs def. Bobby Lashley via TKO (referee stoppage) Rd 2 (5:00)

Jorge Gurgel vs. K.J. Noons

Round 1 – Noons with a kick to start. Both guys feint kicks, and Noons is stalking early. Inside leg kick by Gurgel, and abig right hand by Gurgel lands. Exchange of kicks by both. Noons lands a left, and is now going to the body. Gurgel with a right hand then a head kick. Noons steps in and Gurgel lands another right hand. Leg kick by Gurgel, Noons closes and lands to the body. Gurgel is calling for Noons to come and get him. Overhand right by Gurgel. Big kick by Gurgel to the body, Noons counters with a big punch. Another big kick by Gurgel, but he eats a right hand. Back upstairs with the kick. Gurgel steps in to clinch and gets a head butt. Inside leg kick followed up by the a jab by Noons. So far it’s a stand up battle all the way. Kick to the body again by Gurgel. Nice right hand also. Noons lands a left hand, then comes back with a leg kick. Gurgel counters with another kick of his own. Back to the body by Noons, Gurgel fires off a kick to the body.  Noons takes a peek at the clock, and Gurgel finally shoots, gets stuffed, then immediately comes back with a flying knee that misses. Noons still working the body, and Noons is finding his rhythm. Noons lands a right, then a thudding left hand connects. Big exchange at the bell, and Noons drops Gurgel with a monstrous left hook as the bell sounds. Pro MMA now scores Round 1 for K.J. Noons, 10-9.

Round 2 – Noons with a short uppercut.  Noons lands a huge right hand, then a big left hand that drops Gurgel.  Gurgel is hurt but is trying to recover and grabs the ankle of Noons.  Noons lands 3 left hands then what looks to be an illegal knee.  The fight is over, but what is the official word?

OFFICIAL RESULT: K.J. Noons def. Jorge Gurgel by KO (strikes) Rd 2 (0:19)

Tim Kennedy vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

Round 1 –  Touch of gloves to start, lots of respect between these guys as chants of “USA” break out.  Both guys exchange jabs after a brief period of feeling out.  Push kick by Souza after he misses with a right hand.  To the body with the left hand by Souza.  Souza lands some big punches, forcing Kennedy to clinch briefly.  Kennedy goes upstairs with the kick but it’s blocked by “Jacare.”  Leg kick by Souza, Kennedy counters with the right hand.  Big right hand by Souza, and now we are in a fight with both guys trading in the pocket.  Kennedy misses with the jab/right hand combo as Souza steps back.  Kennedy scores with a leg kick, and Souza comes back to the body and follows up with a right hand.  Kennedy with a wild uppercut that catches nothing but air.  Souza scores to the leg with a kick with just under a minute to go in the opening round.  Kennedy with a left hand, and another that landed and Souza goes down, but it’s more of a slip.  Dirty boxing before they break and take the center of the cage.  End of Round 1.  Pro MMA now scores Round 1 for “Jacare”, 10-9.

Round 2 – Kennedy moving forward early to start and looks more aggressive already.  He backs off, and then misses with a left hand.  Back to the body by Souza, and Kennedy counters but misses.  Kennedy scores with a flurry before stepping back.  Kennedy comes forward with a left hook, slips, then goes for a takedown, but Souza steps away.  Souza with a right hand, Kennedy ducks then throws a big left hand.  Souza scores with a flurry of right hands.  Kennedy sticks out his jab, then goes to the leg with a kick.  Kennedy with another kick.  Big knee to the body by Kennedy, but Souza throws him to the side and steps back.  Kennedy fakes the right hand then comes with the left, and Souza counters with a short right hand.  Souza feints, then drops levels and shoots for a double, but is stuffed.  Back to the center of the cage.  Uppercut misses by Kennedy.  Superman punch by Kennedy lands.  Souza comes back to the body with a left hand.  Push kick by Souza, but he appears to be tiring as his hands are starting to drop just a little bit.  Pro MMA now scores Round 2 for Tim Kennedy, 10-9.

Round 3 – Leg kick scores for Kennedy.  Kennedy comes forward and throws a 4 punch combo before stepping back.  Souza working his jab now. Big left hook by Kennedy and he goes to the clinch and presses Souza against the cage.  Souza pushes off and takes the center of the cage.  Souza scores with a jab, and Kennedy counters with a leg kick, then misses with a superman punch.  Souza with an overhand right, then a left hook.  Double jab now for Souza as Kennedy comes forward.  Kennedy is cut over his eye and the blood is flowing pretty badly.  Big right hand by Souza, then a push kick.  Kennedy coming forward now, and misses with a wild looping left hand.  Nice, crisp jab by Kennedy.  Kennedy a body lock, then the trip takedown.  Danger zone now in the guard of “Jacare.”  Souza controlling the posture of Kennedy now.  Souza kicks off and stands back up.  Souza flicks out a lazy double jab, and Kennedy moves forward with less than a minute to go in the third.  Kennedy still coming forward.  Nice jab by Souza.  To the body by Kennedy.  Brief exchange before Souza steps back.  Pro MMA now scores Round 3 for Tim Kennedy, 10-9.

Round 4 – Kennedy’s cut doesn’t look too bad, and he addresses the crowd before the fourth round can start.  Leg kick by Kennedy to start as Souza is still feinting with his hands.  Big right hand by Kennedy lands.  Souza with a jab, Kennedy counters with an inside leg kick.  Souza refusing to throw his jab and is continuously faking his strikes.  Souza misses with an overhand right, and Kennedy looks to get a body lock but Souza shrugs it off.  Big overhand right misses, and Souza shoots but is stuffed by Kennedy.  Superman punch again by Kennedy.  To the body now by Kennedy as Souza throws out a weak double jab.  Souza with a jab, then an overhand that lands on the top of the head of Kennedy.  Souza with another right hand, and Kennedy counters with an inside leg kick that lands in the pills.  Souza is taking his time recovering from the jewel shot.  Back to action now… Kennedy faking his takedown now, then actually shoots for a single but is stuffed.  Kennedy misses upstairs with a kick.  Inside leg kick by Souza.  Jab, kick combo by Kennedy scores.  Nice jab now from Souza near the end of the round.  Pro MMA now scores Round 4 for Tim Kennedy, 10-9.

Round 5 – Souza triples up on his jab.  Kennedy comes forward with a right hand, then lands a left to the face of Souza.  Uppercut misses by Kennedy.  Big left hook by Kennedy.  Souza scores with a kick to the legs of Kennedy.  Kennedy still moving forward and putting combos together, then lands a leg kick.  Souza lands a nice right hand.  Left hook again by Kennedy, and Souza counters and opens up the cut again.  Kennedy shoots from way outside and Souza lands a left hand as Kennedy gets back to his feet and steps away.  Kennedy closes, clinches and lands a knee, but Souza is having none of it and pushes off.  Kennedy to the clinch again with a knee but once again, Souza pushes off.  Souza misses with a wild combo.  Souza closes the distance and tries to get a trip takedown, but Kennedy shrugs it off.  Kennedy lands a right hand and after a scramble, gets the back of Kennedy with :45 to go.  Kennedy is free, and then misses with a kick to the head.  Souza lands a staggering right hand that snaps the head of Kennedy back.  Kennedy gets the body lock and a big slam just before the bell.  Very close round.  Pro MMA now scores Round 5 for Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, 10-9, and the fight overall to Tim Kennedy 48-47.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Tim Kennedy via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante

Round 1 – The “King Mo” chants are already ringing throughout the crowd. ” Feijao” comes forward first missing with a left and right hand combo.  Mo comes forward with a couple of punches before looking to take “Feijao” to the ground. “Feijao” defends then eats a couple of knees to the legs.  Mo elevates “Feijao” and slams him to the mat, but he’s back up to his feet quickly.  More knees to the legs from Mo.  “Feijao” spins out and takes the center of the cage.  Mo misses with the jab, then comes back with a shot to the body.  Mo’s hands are way down, he must not fear the power of “Feijao” at all.  Jab misses for “Feijao.”  Overhand right by “Feijao” misses as he comes forward.  Snapping jab scores for “Feijao.”  Overhand right by Mo, and “Feijao” scores with an uppercut and knee.  Mo clinches and tries to take the fight to the ground but “Feijao” defends.  Nice knee, followed by another by “Feijao” backs up the champ.  “Feijao” really establishing the jab now.  Mo showboating now after missing with his jab.  Leg kick by “Feijao.”  End of Round 1.  Pro MMA now scores Round 1 for Cavalcante, 10-9.

Round 2 – Huge leg kick by “Feijao” to start.  Mo with the jab, and his hands are VERY low.  Overhand right hand by Mo hands as he closes and flurries.  “Feijao” circles away.  Inside leg kick by “Feijao.”  Mo is stalking now, and shoots out a right hand, then scores with a left to the body.  “Feijao” just misses with a big right hand.  “Feijao” with a big kick to the head, but Mo uses it to get the take down. “Feijao” kicks off and stands but gives up his back.  “Feijao” pushes off and they separate.  “Feijao” with a right hand.  Mo comes forward and lands with the right, then big shots to the body.  Mo switches to southpaw, likely to set up his wrestling now.  Big jab from Mo, then a right hand.  Inside leg kick by Mo.  He’s switching stances now, and his hands are still very low.  Big body shot and right hand by Mo.  “Feijao” just misses with the head kick.  Mo with another flurry.  Mo steps back, switches stances and scores with a jab.  Another shot to the body by Mo, this time with a right hand.  Mo drops for the takedown against the cage by “Feijao” defends.  Mo with knees to the legs, end of Round 2.  Dominating round for the champ. Pro MMA now scores Round 2 for “King Mo” Lawal, 10-9.

Round 3 – Big right hand from “Feijao” staggers Mo and he’s hurt.  He’s smiling but looks hurt.  Mo lands a huge shot, then “Feijao” lands 2 huge knees and as Mo is falling backward, “Feijao” lands a huge right hand, and Mo is down.  Mo is getting pounded, but he is surviving with his wrestling.  Mo grabs a leg then drives “Feijao” into the cage.  Mo maintains a grip on the body of “Feijao”, but he’s hurt badly.  “Feijao” has his back against the cage and is landing HUGE, DEVASTATING, elbows to the head of the champ.  McCarthy is giving Mo a chance but he’s taking big elbows.  McCarthy steps in and it’s over.  Cavalcante is the NEW Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante def.  Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal by KO (strikes) Rd 3 (1:14)