Strikeforce Results: Melendez proves a point, crushes Kawajiri
Posted on April 9, 2011, 10:23 PM by Anton GurevichStrikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez proved he's a Top 3 Lightweight in the world, absolutely destroying fellow Top 10 Lightweight Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri.
Year-long layoff didn't affect "El Nino" at all, as the Champ unleashed fury from the first seconds of the fight. Kawajiri was seriously hurt, and was visibly out of the fight, but the Japanese veteran showed a huge warrior spirit and managed to get back on his feet.
Still, Melendez was just one step ahead of Kawajiri. Melendez continued to display his superior wrestling skills, as Kawajiri went with his face down to the canvas. Melendez unleashed quick punches from the top, then improving to a full mount position. While in mount, Gilbert Melendez landed powerful elbows (or hellbows), as the referee Cecil Peoples (yes, Cecil Peoples) was forced to stop the action.
In his post-fight interview, Melendez declared he's the #1 Lightweight in the World, adding that he wants to unify titles by facing the UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar. Melendez now finds himself in a long queue for a shot at Frankie Edgar, with at least three more fighters waiting for a conclusion of a trilogy between Edgar and Maynard.
Melendez is now 19-2 in his MMA career.
Comments
awesome performance what a great job by gilbert so intense watch out lightweights hes a beast
Ya man...imo that was the most one sided beatdown I hve seen so far this yr, Melendez definitely proved y he should b number1
I know its got no chance of happening but how cool would a semi final match beteen, alvarez , melendez, pettis, nd edgar!!
I've never seen GM like this before...his fiancee must have put it on him the night before the fight.
Just playing.
i saw one just as one sided, jones vs shogun. forgotten it that quickly?
Ya tried to block that from my mind...but ya that wins for sure so far
wow what a performance by gibert. very intense fight and dominant showing. watch out who ever fights this guy very impressive
i cringed at every elbow Melendez threw on the ground, they were vicious!! dont really know wha'ts next for him though
awesome fight for gilbert. I would like to see him fight winner of guida and pettis
Cecile Peoples has a ref made my night.
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LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION IS #1!
I thought it was stacked before and I hadn't seen Gilbert fight before, BLOODY HELL IS IT STACKED!
Gilbert Melendez looked amazing tonight @Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley! Moves ahead to #2 just behind Frankie. The only thing which i think keeps behind Frankie is the speed difference.
I don't see him any different after tonight. He can't beat the UFC top 5. Just my opinion.
I completely disagree. Anyone who can make Kawajiri look like an amateur can definitely hang with the top 5 in the UFC.
I agree with that i'd much rather see that fight than guida go at it with pettis, that would be awesome if only zuffa had a way to do that >_
I think he should definitely fight the UFC's top lightweights but he still needs to stand in line for a title shot. Although Strikeforce has great fighters, it is still a lower league from the UFC. Put him in the octagon for at least 2 fights and then we'll see. That's only fair. I was very impressed though.
gilbert has way more power then edgar, yes edgar is fast gets in and out easily, but so is gilbert... i think if he is giving the shot he will be the new ufc light weight champ.