Strikeforce Results: Gilbert Melendez retains title in a thrilling bout with Josh Thomson
Posted on May 19, 2012, 11:34 PM by Anton GurevichGilbert "El Nino" Melendez remained the undisputed Strikeforce Lightweight champion, after five rounds of war with Josh "The Punk" Thomson at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Both fighters had their moments during the fight, but it was Gilbert Melendez who won on judges' scorecards via split decision 47-48, 48-47, 48-47.
Melendez looked impressive on his feet, constantly changing levels, and tagging Thomson with a lot of strikes. But Thomson proved he can take a punch, as Gilbert Melendez quickly realized he has a fight on his hands. "The Punk" was also dangerous on his feet; Thomson was able to rock Melendez on several occasions, but he lacked the power to finish the champion.
As always, takedowns played a very important role on judges' scorecards. Gilbert Melendez was able to execute more takedowns, but when it comes to quality, it was Josh Thomson who was able to control his opponent from the top.
Thomson's best chance to finish the fight came at the end of Round 4, when "The Punk" had Gilbert Melendez's back in a body triangle position. Josh Thomson did his best effort to submit "El Nino" via a rear naked choke, but the champ managed to survive.
In the end, Gilbert Melendez improves his MMA record to 21-2, as Josh Thomson drops down to 19-5. Thomson was more than a match for Melendez, who was finally tested after dominant performances against Jorge Masvidal, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Shinya Aoki.
Comments
JT won that fight on my score cards
Did Melendez really win that fight? lmao
That is the question!
Let's see Melendez-Thompson IV. ^^
If the fight is even close it usually goes to the champ. Gotta beat the champ to be the champ. This fight was as close as they come.......had this been non title, I think JT had it!
I dont buy into that, if you win more rounds than the champ then you win in my book.
I used to think that but 9/10 times if you really dissect a round you can decide who won and if you can decide who wins rounds then you have the winner.
Only problem is a judge doesn't have time to dissect in real time.
I agree; that type of argument to justify robbery is silly bullshlt. If you Los a fight, even a close one, you lose.
Tough fight. I knew it would be a war with these two cats! They will fight again before it's all said and done. Hell, why not the instant rematch that the UFC is getting famous for? Zuffa owns SF now, so out is within the realm of possibility.
Both came out of this fight looking good. Neither guy lost any stock, and Gil stays on track with another win and another fight closer to fulfilling his contract with SF.
Gil dropped in my rankings. He proved to be tough but I don't see him beating Bendo or Edgar.
it was a war!...GI won the 2nd and 3rd rounds, the other are uptoo debate...but Melendez did have more hits and everything except for the submission attempt, if you saw when show time showed the stats..
Sick fight but GIl was right it was a lose lose situation for him unless he blew Thomson out of the water, also remember Thomson apparently tore up his PCL a week before the fight. I think Gil is probbaly a 4 or 5 now - Bendo, Edgar and Maynard are definitely in front of him but don't see him beating Diaz if they actually fought.
I had Gil taking 1st, Thomson taking 4th and 5th but can't remember or decide on 2nd and 3rd. Either way I enjoyed a close as hell match and wouldn't grudge to see it a 4th time.
BTW Cesar Gracie tweeted Gil had a nasty back injury just before the fight so take that in to account but as usual the Cesar Gracie Fight Team doing disrespectful things and making excuses when not needed (bar Nate and Jake).