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...]
Ishida Camp Claims Melendez Was Greased
Melendez vs. Ishida There are members of Mitsuhiro Ishida‘s camp that hold strong suspicions that something slippery was going on in the lightweight’s recent rematch defeat at the hands of Gilbert Melendez as part of “Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg” on Saturday evening. FiveOuncesOfPain.com has been able to confirm through the California State Athletic Commission that members... [Read More...]
Ishida steps in for Thomson in Strikeforce bout with Melendez
Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson has been scratched from his title defense against Gilbert Melendez due to not being able to pass his medical screening for the event. Thomson has been rehabilitating a broken leg suffered in training months ago, and apparently the injury has not been allowed the proper time to fully recover. It was recently being reported by numerous sources that Mitsuhiro... [Read More...]
Thomson forced to withdraw from Strikeforce lightweight title fight vs. Melendez
A much-anticipated Strikeforce lightweight title rematch between reigning champion Josh Thomson and the former champion Gilbert Melendez that had been scheduled for April 11 has been canceled. Showtime officials issued a press release Wednesday night announcing that Thomson vs. Melendez II had been scrubbed in light of the fact that Thomson recently broke his leg during a sparring session with fellow... [Read More...]
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez rematch expected for April 11 Strikeforce event
With plans to secure separate opponents for Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and the promotion’s former 155 pound king Gilbert Melendez apparently having following through, sources have informed FiveOuncesOfPain.com that Strikeforce officials could be set to announce in the coming days that the two will rematch each other on April 11 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. A source close... [Read More...]
Gilbert Melendez planning to return in 2008
Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has had a difficult year. He lost two of his three fights – one to Mitsuhiro Ishida and another to Josh Thomson. Those were the first two losses of his MMA career. Now, Melendez is preparing to get back in the cage in the not-so-distant future. “You’ll see me before the end of the year,” said Melendez, “I have a... [Read More...]
Behind The Scenes With Gilbert Melendez (video)
UFC Roundup: Belcher gets new contract; Hazelett could fight Goulet; and Tanner to fight Lister?
There’s a quite a few UFC-related fight nuggets making the Internet rounds so I figured I’d recap them for you in one post: – UFCjunkie.com is citing a report in the Biloxi Sun-Herald middleweight Alan Belcher has signed a new four fight contract with the UFC. His next fight is scheduled for UFC 77 in Cincinnati on Oct. 20 against Kalib Starnes. If Belcher can string together a few... [Read More...]
Report: Dean Lister to return to the UFC in December
MMAWeekly.com is reporting that Dean Lister will be training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and will be returning to the UFC on the fight promotion’s December 29 card (which is expected to be held in Las Vegas). According to Lister’s manager, Jerry Villasenor, Lister would like to fight the winner of the middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Rich Franklin at UFC 77. I don’t... [Read More...]
