Strikeforce targeting March 3 for lightweight bout between K.J. Noons-Josh Thomson
Lightweights Josh Thomson and K.J. Noons appear to be on a collision course for March, as reports have the two Strikeforce fighters set to meet at the company’s Columbus, Ohio event. Given the 155-pound division’s landscape it’s likely the winner of Thomson-Noons would likely become the #1 contender to Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez. Thomson (18-4) has been on the... [Read More...]
Josh Thomson injured, out of September 10 Strikeforce fight
More bad news for Josh Thomson. The often injured lightweight will once again be sitting on the sidelines, this time with a foot injury. Scheduled to fight Maximo Blanco at the September 10 Strikeforce event, Thomson has been forced to pull out of the fight with the injury, which was suffered while training for the bout. The injury is said to be, “a worst-case scenario” for Thomson. News... [Read More...]
J.Z. Cavalcante targeting February fight in Strikeforce
Gesias “J.Z.” Cavalcante was viewed as being one of the lightweight division’s toughest draws, and among the top 155-pounders in the world, after opening up his career with a 14-1-1 record including wins over a number of notable opponents. However, the 27-year old Brazilian has found himself of the losing end of the judges’ scorecards three of the last four times he’s fought, and as a result... [Read More...]
Josh Thomson vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri booked for Japan on New Year’s Eve
Former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson will look to extend his current win streak to three in a row this New Year’s Eve when he faces popular Japanese competitor Tatsuya Kawajiri on the annual “Dynamite!!” card being held at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The 18-3 Thomson most-recently saw action this past October when he beat American Top Team’s Gesias “J.Z.” Cavalcante... [Read More...]
“Strikeforce – Diaz vs. Noons II” fighters sound off for final time
The eight combatants scheduled for the “Strikeforce – Diaz vs. Noons II” main card spoke to media on Thursday afternoon one last time prior to making the final march towards their impending in-ring action. Though additional security was brought in by the promotion in lieu of the potential for problems between Nick Diaz’s and KJ Noons’ camps, all in attendance acted professionally and things... [Read More...]
JZ Cavalcante: “I like the challenge and I think the fans want to watch this fight. As a fan, I want to watch this fight.”
Relatively new fans of Mixed Martial Arts may not be familiar with Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante. The American Top Team-trained product hasn’t fought in America since mid-2007 nor competed under the UFC/PRIDE/Strikeforce banner a single time in his career. However, ask a more-informed individual and the response is likely to involve a great deal of admiration for the lightweight’s in-ring ability,... [Read More...]
Josh Thomson: “He’s got the fighter spirit in him and he will never give up. He will fight to the end.”
Former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson has never been afraid to dive into a challenge head-first. The outspoken Californian has battled back from numerous injuries, faced all-comers, and always shown a willingness to engage his opponent over nearly a decade-long career. Based on that self-belief and ability to shrug off adversity, there’s little doubt as to why he stepped up to welcome... [Read More...]
JZ Cavalcante making Strikeforce debut against Josh Thomson on October 9th
American Top Team’s Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante was long-considered one of the top lightweights in Mixed Martial Arts before enduring a slew of injuries and eventually dropping back-to-back decisions in DREAM against Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri. Prior to the losses, Cavalcante had gone 14-1-1 in the first sixteen bouts of his professional career and had gained a reputation for being both solid... [Read More...]
Josh Thomson: ‘I didn’t even watch the last fight’ with Gilbert Melendez
Fellow Strikeforce lightweight champions Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez are far from strangers heading into this Saturday evening’s “Strikeforce: Evolution” card where the pair will face off for the second time to decide who the true king of the hill is in the promotion at 155 pounds. Thomson edged out Melendez via unanimous decision in the first battle between the California based... [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...]
Strikeforce claims Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez bout is not in jeopardy
After a weeks worth of cancellations and let-downs, it appears as though there is one anticipated match-up in August that the MMA community can breathe a collective sigh of relief about. Earlier reports had surfaced that the Strikeforce lightweight championship bout between Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez was in danger of being scrapped due to Thomson’s inability to fully recover from a recently... [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...]
5 Oz. Video Interview with Josh Thomson: “It’s going to be a tougher fight than the first time”
FiveOuncesOfPain.com’s Jay Tan was on location in Los Angeles, Calif. on Thursday for a press conference hosted by Showtime and Strikeforce in anticipation of April 11’s “Shamrock vs. Diaz” event. Watch as Tan and Josh Thomson discuss Thomson’s upcoming Strikeforce lightweight title defense vs. Gilbert Melendez on April 11, whether he wants to fight more frequently, what happened regarding... [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...]
Planned Thomson vs. Noons match for April 11 Strikeforce show falls through
Come April 11, Strikeforce will have its lightweight champion Josh Thomson fighting on their first card on Showtime but it will not be against EliteXC lightweight champion K.J. Noons. Speaking on MMA Weekly Radio, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said that Noons would instead focus on his boxing career for the time being rather than accepting a fight with Thomson. The April 11 card will be broadcast live... [Read More...]
Duane Ludwig replaces Josh Thomson in lightweight bout at “Strikeforce: Destruction”
A broken toe will prevent Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson from making his first-ever defense as scheduled during Strikeforce’s “Destruction” event scheduled for Nov. 21 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The news is according to a report by our friends at MMAjunkie.com. Thomson had been scheduled to take on UFC and EliteXC veteran Yves Edwards. Junkie’s report... [Read More...]
Josh Thomson wants Joachim Hansen next
After defeating Ashe Bowman in a non-title fight this past weekend, Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson made it very clear who he wants to fight next. “I am really looking forward to possibly fighting Joachim Hansen,” said Thomson. Thomson went on to say that his next fight will definitely take place in 2008. “November 21st is my next fight. I do know that I will be fighting... [Read More...]
Thomson: B.J. Penn is the best in the world
Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson hasn’t lost in two years. Among those victories was a huge unanimous win over former champion Gilbert Melendez. The win pushed Thomson into the top 10 of most of the lightweight rankings. Thomson though has no doubt who should be ranked at the top. “B.J. Penn is pound for pound the best fighter. He’s fought all the top guys. He beat the... [Read More...]
Strikeforce announces non-title fight for Josh Thomson
The San Jose-based Strikeforce promotion has confirmed that its lightweight champion, Josh “The Punk” Thomson, will be competing on its second-annual show at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sept. 20 when he takes on Ashe Bowman. The Thomson vs. Bowman matchup will be a non-title affair. Thomson, who wrestled as an amateur at Standford, won the title on June 27 when he recorded... [Read More...]
