Strikeforce: Los Angeles

Background

The event was held on a Wednesday to coincide with the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated, 'The June 16 card will include some top-heavy main-event fighters, as well as some standout Challenger prospects.' Jason Miller was targeted as Robbie Lawler's opponent, but Strikeforce officials believed the Tennessee Athletic Commission would have Miller suspended, so Renato Sobral ended up being Lawler's opponent in a 195-lb catchweight bout.

Bobby Lashley was set to face Ron Sparks but dropped out after injuring his knee in training. Charles Bennett was set for a rematch against K. J. Noons but was forced to pull out for an undisclosed reason, replaced by Conor Heun. Coker confirmed on June 9, 2010, that the winner of Lawler vs. Sobral would get a title shot in their respective division: Sobral would fight Muhammed Lawal, or Lawler would fight Jake Shields, though Shields was later replaced by Ronaldo Souza after signing with the UFC.

After winning, Sobral announced he wouldn't fight Lawal due to their friendship, and instead challenged Dan Henderson, who defeated Sobral by TKO at Strikeforce: St. Louis on December 4, 2010. The light heavyweight title shot went to Rafael Cavalcante, who beat Lawal by TKO for the title at Strikeforce: Houston on August 21, 2010. Commentary was handled by Stephen Quadros, Pat Miletich, and Mauro Ranallo, replacing the absent Gus Johnson and Frank Shamrock.

Reported payout

Fighter salaries as provided by the California State Athletic Commission, excluding deductions and sponsor money: Renato Sobral $100,000 (no win bonus) def. Robbie Lawler $85,000; Evangelista 'Cyborg' Santos $10,000 (no win bonus) def. Marius Zaramoskis $5,000; Tim Kennedy $30,000 (no win bonus) def. Trevor Prangley $30,000; K. J. Noons $25,000 (no win bonus) def. Conor Heun $4,000; Jeremy Umphries $1,500 (no win bonus) def. R.J. Clifford $2,000; Hugo Sandoval $1,500 (no win bonus) def. Marcus Kowal $1,000.