Gilbert Melendez not interested in fourth fight with Josh Thomson
Entering last night’s Strikeforce event the questions surrounding lightweight Josh Thomson had to do with his health after rumors of a knee injury surfaced a little more than a week ago. Exiting his fight with champion Gilbert Melendez the chatter was not focused on how his leg had held up but rather whether the ringside judges had scored things correctly after awarding “El Nino” was a razor-thin... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez knows he is in for a battle with Josh Thomson this weekend
Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez always knew a third fight with Josh Thomson was a possibility. And, while the Cesar Gracie-trained fighter had hoped Zuffa would bring over a fighter from the UFC, Melendez is prepared to go to war with Thomson once again. Melendez-Thomson will serve as the co-headliner at the Strikeforce Grand Prix Final this Saturday night from San Jose, California.... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez: “I wish some of these guys in the UFC would take the risk…”
In a week Gilbert Melendez will put his Strikeforce title on the line against Josh Thomson, the latest in a line of talented foes “El Nino” has faced lacking elite status. While a win over Thomson is an accomplishment to be proud of, it’s also one doing little to cement Melendez’s place at the top of the 155-pound division. Melendez is all too familiar with the unfortunate truth that the world’s... [Read More...]
Strikeforce Grand Prix Final Conference Call Highlights
In a little more than a week Strikeforce will finally crown the winner of their long-running Heavyweight Grand Prix when Josh Barnett duels Daniel Cormier in headlining action. The two talented competitors have looked exceptionally sharp over the past few years, racking up a combined record of 17-0 since 2008. Also set to mix it up on the May 19 card, lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will defend... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez: “I’m coming for all the 155-pounders.”
At one point in time Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez felt like he was headed to the UFC, following the footsteps of his fellow Strikeforce fighters such as Dan Henderson, Jake Shields, Nick Diaz, and Alistair Overeem. However, today he still calls Strikeforce his home, remaining as the promotion’s main star. Now, as he prepares for a third bout with Josh Thomson, “El Nino”... [Read More...]
Dana White tried to sign B.J. Penn vs. Gilbert Melendez
UFC President Dana White has said a number of times he doesn’t view former double-division champion B.J. Penn as retired. And, while “The Prodigy” has officially remained on the sidelines, that hasn’t kept White from continuing to push him for a return. Before Gilbert Melendez signed to fight Josh Thomson for the Strikeforce lightweight title it was revealed through Cesar Gracie... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez was “hoping for something better” than Josh Thomson as an opponent
Despite an initial flirtation with the idea of taking a different route, UFC President Dana White made it clear a few months back Gilbert Melendez would be sticking with Strikeforce for the immediate future. However, the lightweight champion remained hopeful White might bring the UFC to him if not the other way around, injecting Strikeforce’s solid but not spectacular 155-pound division with some... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez matched with Josh Thomson for May title-defense
Former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson may have thought his previous performance was akin to excrement but it was apparently good enough in the eyes of some to earn “The Punk” a crack at current title-holder Gilbert Melendez’s belt. Thomson outpointed opponent K.J. Noons in a convincing though not particularly exciting effort a month ago at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey. Strikeforce... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez returning in May, camp wants B.J. Penn or Anthony Pettis
Cesar Gracie knows a lot about MMA, apparently including when Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez will fight next. One of Melendez’s core coaches, Gracie revealed the date of the 29-year old’s next fight. “Gil is fighting May 19,” the BJJ wizard wrote on Twitter, adding two names he’s crossing his fingers for though neither actually happens to be signed to the organization’s... [Read More...]
Jim Miller not interested in a shot at the Strikeforce title
When Zuffa revealed Strikeforce lightweight king Gilbert Melendez would continue to compete under the embattled organization’s banner rather than bring his talents to the Octagon the question quickly turned to one of contendership. With no clear cut challengers in place the public’s speculation on the situation often involved the possibility of a top level UFC fighter switching over to Strikeforce... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez talks win over Jorge Masvidal, his future in Strikeforce
Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez successfully defended his crown against Jorge Masvidal this past weekend. Now, “El Nino” is ready to take on anybody that Zuffa throws at him. With the recent Strikeforce-Showtime contract hashed out, Melendez will remain part of the Strikeforce lineup for the foreseeable future. However, that doesn’t mean someone from the UFC cannot be brought in... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez remains optimistic after recent brush with UFC roster
Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez was unsure what was in store for his fighting future, as rumors of an impending arrival to the UFC hit a fever pitch earlier this year. UFC president Dana White seemed to be the main voice behind the probability of Melendez being signed by the UFC, so the odds looked bleak as far as “El Nino” ever defending his Strikeforce title again . However, in... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez mindful of future in UFC, fight against Jorge Masvidal
Everyone wants to see current Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez in the UFC including top executive Dana White. With the 155-pound division boasting a deep roster of talented fighters, Melendez would be another central point to build around and further solidify the organization as the sport’s elite. For now, though, Melendez remains in Strikeforce, where he has an upcoming title bout... [Read More...]
Dana White bringing Gilbert Melendez to UFC “as soon as possible”
Alistair Overeem, Dan Henderson, and Nick Diaz all abandoned their Strikeforce titles to sign with the UFC and are scheduled for action in the Octagon over the next three months. Now, assuming UFC President Dana White has his way, lightweight Gilbert Melendez will join the group of former Strikeforce champions with the date of his arrival coming sooner than later. White opened up about the company’s... [Read More...]
Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez draws Jorge Masvidal for next title defense
While there was little doubt Strikeforce lightweight Jorge Masvidal was on the cusp of contendership after picking apart K.J. Noons in June at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum”, it appears the American Top Team product has indeed been named as the next opponent for champ Gilbert Melendez though no date has been set for their match-up. News of the title-fight first surfaced today in an interview with... [Read More...]
5 Oz. MMA Link Club
Welcome back to another ediition of “MMA Link Club”, Five Ounces of Pain‘s weekly smorgasbord of offerings from our brothers and sisters in the MMA community. Enjoy… Mark Munoz Targeting C.B. Dollaway’s Chin UFC Live 3 (Versus.com) Eddie Alvarez vs. Pat Curran Made Official for Bellator 39 (5thRound.com) Jorge Masvidal Talks Match-Up with Billy Evangelista (Lowkick.com) A Closer Look... [Read More...]
Strikeforce possibly planning April 9 event minus Grand Prix pairings
With Antonio Silva and Sergei Kharitonov having already cemented slots in the semi-final round of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix the public’s attention has turned to the remaining quartet of competitors still seeking to take a step closer to emerging tournament champ. While the “who” of the fearsome foursome has long been established it now appears the day and location attached... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez extends relationship with Strikeforce
It looks like fans hoping to one-day see “Top 3” lightweight Gilbert Melendez inside the UFC’s Octagon will be kept waiting until at least 2012, as Strikeforce announced earlier today the organization had reached terms with “El Nino” on a contract extension keeping him under their banner for the foreseeable future. While specifics of the deal were not mentioned it was referred to in an official... [Read More...]
The Fab Fifteen – Lightweights
Lightweight is one of MMA’s most-interesting weight-classes to rank based on how the division’s top talent is spread out over multiple promotions rather than the lot, or even bulk, calling the UFC home. With DREAM, Strikeforce, and Bellator all having a stake in the “Top 5” it’s difficult to compare common opponents or know how each man would fare if paired against one of his elite peers... [Read More...]
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez II set for “Strkeforce: Evolution” in December
Hopefully the third time will be a charm in regards to bringing fellow Strikeforce lightweight champions Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez together for their highly anticipated, and twice previously announced rematch. The two will face off during “Strikeforce: Evolution” on December 19 from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The news of the bout was confirmed in a midnight bulletin... [Read More...]
