Melendez defeats Jorge Masvidal, invites UFC Lightweights to Strikeforce
Posted on December 18, 2011, 12:30 AM by Anton GurevichGilbert Melenez defended his Strikeforce Lightweight title for the third time, winning a clean Unanimous Decision against Jorge Masvidal in San Diego, California.
Melendez controlled the action during all three rounds, effectively staying outside Masvidal's striking range. "El Nino" punished the challenger with perfectly-timed striking combinations that maybe lacked KO power, but definitely did enough to "kill" Masvidal's gameplan.
Speaking about gameplans, it looked like Jorge Masvidal is unable to get anything going in this fight. "Gamebred" was stuck in the counter punching position, occasionally throwing a flying knee that was simply not enough to take the title from someone like Gilbert Melendez.20
Judges' scorecards tell the story with a 50-45, 50-45, 49-46 victory for Gilbert Melendez, who improves his MMA record to 20-2.
Speaking to post-fight Mauro Ranallo, Gilbert Melendez related to the recent developments around the future of Strikeforce on Showtime, claiming that he's proud to be the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion. Melendez continued, calling out "whoever has that UFC belt" to test his skills inside the hexagonal Strikeforce cage.
Strikeforce Lightweight division has a very limited choice of potential challengers for Melendez's belt, with Caros Fodor currently being the #1 contender in the division following tonight's victory over Justin Wilcox. The winner (or loser) of Lauzon-Pettis bout could prove himself as an ideal challenger for Melendez's belt, while young up-and-comers like Tony Ferguson could make a name for themselves by competing, and perhaps winning against someone of Melendez's caliber.
Comments
Gil deserves to be in the UFC
Gil will do awesome in the UFC, and he already has an impressive record, I give him a really good chance to beat Frankie, and other top LWs.
Ive been waiting for Melendez to get that phone call for a while. Sadly, its taken Nate's evolving and Nick's winning popularity to even have Cesar's team get noticed. I think they're finally getting to see some light. They also seem to be learning to "play the game"
gil will get stomped in UFC but yeah give him a shot him and lukes all thats left of SF
Wow...that is weak if that is Gilbert definition of SMASH....
He should of either submitted or knocked ot Masvidal, but he couldnt do that....It looks like Masvidal was right that Gilbert "isnt all that".
Vicares your right...Gilbert will not only get stomped but pimped out in the UFC....same as Shields.....the only one making a statement and living up to the hype is Nick Diaz
Yes Masvidal was right. He brutalized Gilbert. Oh wait a sec. Masvidal got out-struck by a wrestler. GM has more than enough skill to fight in the UFC and win.
gm1, you're totally right bud, Nick is the is only one making a statement (from the CG camp), hope Gilbert and his ****ing pube hair get ass raped in the UFC. PEACE.
Mindkontrolle and gm1 probably said the same thing about WEC lightweights, so I wouldn't listen to them at all.
Juvenile emotions > fight knowledge
Cry all you want, discredit all you want, but Gilbert won the rounds and controlled the fight against a good striker.
Hang tight, Im making you a cup of STFU, its almost warm.
and I quote: "Yes, Melendez’s face was far more marked up than that of Masvidal, but the stats told another story as Melendez outstruck Masvidal 145 to 109"
yea but its fun to put facts in their wounds.
Another UD??? **** this, it's like another UTI...
I havent seen a positive reply from you in a while.
Maybe you need to pick new favorites.
Gilbert > Edgar..
sorry Bibi, no way.
Who cares what he is calling for? He proved himself tonight to be overrated and more than likely unable to handle the top-ranked fighters in the only promotion that matters. Whoever formed this "consensus" about him being the second-ranked lightweight in the world needs to get his head checked.
Jorge is no joke man. Look what he did to KJ Noons, a very highly skilled MMA striker. Look what Nick Diaz did to KJ, not as impressive a performance IMO. Jorge is a very good striker, and GIl best him at his own game, give him some credit.
Listen to the haters lol....if that had been Sonnen you would all be praising him ...it was up to Masvidal as challenger to take it ...he couldnt ..he was nullified the champion did his job well.
Thats why its called a "defence " of his title.
well we agree sometimes Highlife.
Yes Gil won his fight,but his striking was sloopy and he his take downs need work. does he belong in the ufc? yes but not for edgars title, give him a few fights with the guys in the top 5 of that division and see how he does.
Pretty sure that didn't help Strikeforce out what he said post-fight but it was honest, there is no-one worthy to fight him now. Many even though Masvidal wasn't a proper challenge and it looked like he wasn't.. or GIl just passed that challenge with flying colours.
The only problem with bring a UFC fight across is that once GIl has fought them they will be the only 2 decent LWs agai so they will need to bring more across? I think they should either dissolve SF LW division and bring them into the UFC.. or take about 8 or so decent LWs from the UFC to actually make a LW division that isn't a joke but that will just thin out the UFC LW and I dont see Dana doing that.
Seems now days you have to pass the "Jones" test..beat one guy.....oh this guy will get him...beats another guy...well this guy will beat him....
well said ...
Did he say send ufc lightweights to strikeforce..Wow..Imagine when you get the call "YOU'VE BEEN TRANSFERED". Maybe some UFC bottomfeeders on the virge of being cut at the most. All in all he should go to the UFC already. Gil is entertaining and MOST cesar gracie fighters fight to finish. And to the guy who said nick is the only one shining ufc style. Don't forget about Nate who is pretty heated at the moment.