Strikeforce Recap: Gilbert Melendez beats Jorge Masvidal at his own game
Posted on December 18, 2011, 02:05 AM by Trent ReinsmithJorge Masvidal was looked upon as the fighter that was going to put Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez to the test. While he did take the champion to the five round limit, you would be hard pressed to say he put him to any type of test. 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 and delivered far more power strikes, landing 94 to Masvidal’s 21.
Questions after seeing Gilbert Melendez vs. Jorge Masvidal:
-Did the fight help or hurt Melendez? As far as his recognition as one of the top lightweight fighters in the world, his performance certainly didn’t help him, but I’m not sure hit hurt him either. His performance was solid if slightly unremarkable. Let’s face it, he would have needed a finish to advance his status in the division and since he didn’t he’ll remain stuck behind Frankie Edgar in the overall lightweight rankings.
-What’s next for Melendez? After the fight he asked the UFC to bring fighters over to Strikeforce to challenge him. That’s not a bad idea, but who? Do you throw Clay Guida over or perhaps the loser of the Edgar vs. Ben Henderson fight or maybe even give Kenny Florian a shot at the Strikeforce crown? It’s a tough call, but it may be the right thing to do.
Questions following Saturday’s Strikeforce Card:
-Who can challenge Santos? Seriously, Yamanaka was supposed to be the number two ranked 145 pounder and she was dispatched in 16 seconds and that was after Santos had been out of action for over a year. Is it fair to ask her to drop to 135? If she can make the weight, then what happens, she beats on fighters that are smaller than her? That somehow doesn’t seem fair to the 135 pounders or to Santos.
-What’s next for Gegard Mousasi? Strikeforce needs to name a light heavyweight champion and fast. That belt has not been contested for since Dan Henderson won it back in March, 2011. Do you put him up against former champion Rafael Cavalcante for his next bout and make that for the vacant title and if so, where does that leave Mo Lawal and Renato Sobral in the title shot mix?
LowKick.com Main Card Awards:
-Fight of the Night: I’d like to give it Melendez and Masvidal, but I think it needs to go to Noons and Evangelista. That fight was much closer and was decided by the third round. Overall, I think it was the more exciting fight. Sure, Melendez and Masvidal was for the title and Melendez showed that he can stand and bang, but for an entertaining fight, it was Noons and Evangelista.
-Performance of the Night: Cyborg Santos. Out 18 months and comes back and finishes her fight in 16 seconds, that’s a dominant champion.
-Finish of the Night: Cyborg Santos. 15 punches, all power punches in 16 seconds to end the fight, you don’t get much more efficient than that.
Further Reading: Strikeforce Melendez vs Masvidal Wrap-up: Melendez and Santos defend their titles
Photo: Tracy Lee for Cagewriter.com
Comments
at this level you have to assume the fighters do their best ...that being the case Masvidal was outclassed..shutdown ...well done Gilbert a great defence.
i dont think that if melendez got the finish on this one would have advanced his status over edgar. i personally melendez right now is number 7 behing edgar, henderson, maynard, guida, pettis and cerrone... im sure he is better than guida and that he could probably have a 50 - 50 chance with the other guys. but IMO he has never fought a real top 10. maybe the only one was aoki but that guy wasnt near the top 5. if melendez wants to be recognized as number 2 he will have to go the UFC and beat someone like pettis or maynard and in great fashion
what the hell happened to KJ noons the dude looked amazing against gurgel and put on a great fight vs Diaz then gets destroyed by Masvidal and looked like shit yesterday
True, he was afraid to let his hands go for some reason. Diaz changes fighters after they fight him. Some of these guys tear it up until someone breaks their will, and Diaz does just that.
He is very skilled boxer, but his kicks/knees defence sucks. He doesn't see those kicks coming, because he boxed most of his life. His groundgame is Kongo-level though. His fight with Conor Heun was just bad.
He did beat the Thugjitsu Master though.
GSP also changes fighters after they fight him... Alves, Hardy and Shields haven't looked the same.
i was a melendez doubter, but i think he showed hes ufc worthy for sure, but he can NEVER be #1 unless he fights in the ufc. danas gotta have some sort of plan, cuz if melendez stays in SF in its current state, his carreer will slowly fade away.
Melendez is no way #1 in the world at 155. I don't see a way how he beats Edgar, Henderson or Maynard.
Edgar is too fast for him and Melendez hasn't shown one punch KO-power.
Henderson is a big 155 and Melendez has fought 145 before. Henderson uses his strength very well in the clinch. Melendez cardio didn't look that good either. I think Henderson is better then Melendez in all aspects of the game.
Maynard will outwrestle Melendez. Melendez has never fought a wrestler like Maynard.
I don't see any of them finishing Melendez though.
I think Melendez is around #5/#6. Like to see him fight guys like Cerrone, Diaz, Miller, Lauzon, Guillard, Tibau, Guida . I think he would smash Pettis.
Gotta love ThugJitsu!!