Gilbert Melendez on Strikeforce vs. UFC, ‘I have changed my goals’

On a conference call today concerning the Strikeforce® Heavyweight Grand Prix Final scheduled for May 19, fighters Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez fielded questions from the media.
Melendez answered the burning question of his future as a fighter.  Specifically his multi-year contract with Strikeforce® and his one-time goal of being the number one Lightweight in the world: “Obviously, to be the number one guy in the world, you’ve got to be a champion in the UFC. I have changed my goals.

Lorenzo Fertitta unfazed by low UFC on FOX 3 ratings

UFC owner Lorenza Fertitta is aware of the sharp ratings decline for the most recent UFC on Fox, but it is not eating him up inside. Compared to intital viewership of 5.7 for the frst UFC on Fox,  UFC on Fox 3’s audience of merely 2.4 million viewers could be viewed as a cause for concern. He has recognized several reasons for the decline, and believes that scheduling could have been carried out more effectively, stating the following via Yahoo.com:
“Would we like to see the numbers be trending

Low ratings for UFC on FOX 3: 2.4 million viewers

UFC on Fox 3 was one of the best cards of the year and the best event hosted on Fox thus far. Despite this, the Cinco de Mayo Event had poor ratings. According to my colleague, Mike Drahota on Lowkick.com:10,788 fans witnessed the event in person for a live gate of $1.1 million.
However, television viewership painted quite a different picture.  According to tvsportsratings.com

UFC on FOX 3: 1.6 Men 18-34 (-50% vs. UFC on FOX 2) and 2.4 mil viewers (-48%)
— TVsportsratings (@tvsportsratings)May

Ben Henderson says it would be "criminal" not to give Frankie Edgar a rematch

UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson, who will meet Frankie Edgar for the second time this year, looks back on his performance in Japan and shares his thoughts on “The Answer” being granted an immediate rematch. Henderson says he “absolutely” agrees with the decision to book the rematch, insisting that not doing so would be “criminal.” The champ also talks about a future encounter with Anthony Pettis, who currently stands as the last man to defeat him.

Who’s Next? 5 Possible Contenders for Benson Henderson’s Lightweight Title

After the dust settled on UFC 144 in Japan, Ben Henderson had taken the Lightweight title from Frankie Edgar in a five-round war. Henderson showed a well-rounded game and has reached the top of the division, but his work is far from over. This year promises to be a time of great action for the ultra-stacked UFC Lightweight division. Several fighters could make their own case for a title fight against Henderson. Let’s take a look at the most deserving:  
Frankie Edgar: Some, including UFC President

Donald Cerrone vs. Yves Edwards set for May 15 fight card

The May 15 UFC event, scheduled for the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA, has picked up another fight, Donald Cerrone versus Yves Edwards.  The fight was announced on Tuesday’s edition of “UFC Tonight,” which airs on Fuel TV.
Cerrone had a fantastic 2011, going 4-1 over the course of the year and earning four “Fight Night” bonuses in those five fights. Cerrone’s four wins came over Paul Kelly, Vagner Rocha, Charles Oliveira and Dennis Siver. His sole loss, the first in

Kajan Johnson: I’m the kind of guy that likes to push the pace and bring it every second (Exclusive Interview)

The fight scene in my hometown of Vancouver is a very small world. Everyone seems to know everybody and we always seem to bump into someone we know all the time. I first met “Ragin” Kajan (pronounced Kay-Jaan) Johnson on my birthday at a popular night club last year. He was talking to my muay thai coach and they were discussing Kajan’s last fight from MFC 27 last November. I became a fan boy when I saw him at the club because he put on a hell of a performance against Ryan Healy and