Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez throws first pitch at tonight's Padres-Reds game (4/11/2011 8:00:00 PM)
Fresh off a successful title defense, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has been tapped for ceremonial-first-pitch honors at tonight's San Diego Padres game. The Friars take on Dann Stupp's Cincinnati Reds at PETCO Park at 7:05 p.m. PT (local time). Melendez throws his first pitch during pre-game ceremonies.
Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez thows first pitch at tonight's Padres-Reds game (4/11/2011 8:00:00 PM)
Fresh off a successful title defense, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has been tapped for ceremonial-first-pitch honors at tonight's San Diego Padres game. The Friars take on Dann Stupp's Cincinnati Reds at PETCO Park at 7:05 p.m. PT (local time). Melendez throws his first pitch during pre-game ceremonies.
Strikeforce Videos: Nick Diaz KOs Paul Daley, Gilbert Melendez Crushes Tatsuya Kawajiri (4/10/2011 4:32:08 AM)
Check out Strikeforce highlights from Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri after the jump...
Following buyout, Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez anticipates best of both worlds (4/9/2011 5:30:00 PM)
Earlier this year, Gilbert Melendez wasn't sure what to do. The Strikeforce lightweight champion had emerged as one of the world's top 155-pounders, become one of the organization's biggest names, and earned some hefty paydays. But Strikeforce offered a multi-year deal, and as he told MMAjunkie.com Radio, he wasn't sure if he wanted to kill other possibilities, including a possible move to the UFC.
Melendez: With Strikeforce Sale to UFC, Time to Deliver (4/9/2011 1:07:41 AM)
Gilbert Melendez has been saying he’s the best lightweight in the world. With the UFC buying Strikeforce, he could have the opportunity to prove it soon.
“Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley” Weigh-In Results (4/8/2011 4:17:56 AM)
Weigh-ins for Saturday's "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley" event take place today in San Diego, California, as champions Nick Diaz and Gilbert Melendez, challengers Paul Daley and Tatsuya Kawajiri, and the rest of the Showtime-televised card hit the scale to make their matchups official.
Melendez: Kawajiri Doesn't Know What He's in For (4/7/2011 12:00:02 AM)
Gilbert Melendez discussed his bout at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” (Showtime 10 ET/PT) against Tatsuya Kawajiri with Sherdog.com's Greg Savage and Dave Mandel.
Videos: Strikeforce's Daley vs. Smith, Melendez vs. Thomson II (4/4/2011 9:20:00 PM)
In the buildup to Saturday's "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley" event on Showtime, officials have released past fights from some of the card's biggest stars. You can now watch those fights here, courtesy of Strikeforce.com. Featured fighters include headliner Paul Daley, who fights welterweight champ Nick Diaz on Saturday, and co-headliner Gilbert Melendez, who puts his lightweight belt on the line against Tatsuya Kawajiri.
MMAjunkie.com Radio: Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez, UFC 129's Daniel Roberts (4/4/2011 3:20:00 PM)
MMAjunkie.com Radio today welcomes to the show Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, who co-headliners Saturday's Showtime event against Japanese star Tatsuya Kawajiri. Additionally, we also talk to UFC 129 fighter Daniel Roberts, who looks for his fourth straight UFC victory when he meets Claude Patrick. MMAjunkie.com Radio airs from 12-2 p.m. ET (9-11 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
Strikeforce Videos: Paul Daley vs. Scott Smith, Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson II (4/4/2011 12:23:25 PM)
Ahead of Saturday's "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley" event, Strikeforce has released video of recent wins by welterweight contender Paul Daley and lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, who face champ Nick Diaz and Tatsuya Kawajiri respectively on the Showtime-televised card.
Kawajiri Forgoes Cage Training Ahead of Melendez Title Bout (4/2/2011 9:59:50 AM)
If Tatsuya Kawajiri is anxious about his impending Strikeforce lightweight title showdown with champion Gilbert Melendez, he certainly isn’t showing it.
For now, Melendez vs. Kawajiri title fight a go for "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley" (3/13/2011 8:20:00 PM)
Although the past week's earthquake in Japan initially cast doubt on the fight, a championship bout between lightweight titleholder Gilbert Melendez and Tatsuya Kawajiri is a go. On Saturday MMAjunkie.com reported that fellow lightweights K.J. Noons and Jorge Masvidal were told to remain on standby in case their Japanese counterparts were unable to make it to the U.S. However, sources close to the organization told MMAjunkie.com the past 24 hours have brought word that Melendez vs. Kawajiri should remain part of the April 9 card.
Melendez vs. Kawajiri title fight expected for April 9 Strikeforce event (2/26/2011 2:00:00 PM)
Although the second part of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix's opening round may or may not take place at the show, some other participants are being slotted for the organization's April show. A lightweight title fight between champion Gilbert Melendez and Tatsuya Kawajiri, as well as the return of former champion Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, likely will be part of the April 16 event. MMAjunkie.com confirmed the title fight with sources close to the event, and Lawal recently tweeted word of his participation.
Melendez vs. Kawajiri, "King Mo" vs. TBA expected for April 16 Strikeforce show (2/26/2011 2:00:00 PM)
Although the second part of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix's opening round may or may not take place at the show, some other participants are being slotted for the organization's April show. A lightweight title fight between champion Gilbert Melendez and Tatsuya Kawajiri, as well as the return of former champion Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, likely will be part of the April 16 event. MMAjunkie.com confirmed the title fight with sources close to the event, and Lawal recently tweeted word of his participation.
MMAjunkie.com Radio: Baroni, Strikeforce's Melendez, Johnson, LaBerge, McLean (2/9/2011 4:20:00 PM)
MMAjunkie.com Radio today welcomes in studio UFC and PRIDE veteran Phil Baroni, who co-hosts the show as the crew takes a look at Strikeforce's loaded upcoming schedule. Additionally, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez calls in to discuss the latest on his career, while Strikeforce fighters Lavar Johnson, Josh LaBerge and Jason McLean call in to preview their fights at this weekend's "Strikeforce and M-1 GLobal: Fedor vs. Silva" event. MMAjunkie.com Radio airs from 12-2 p.m. ET (9-11 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez signs new multi-year agreement (2/7/2011 4:10:00 PM)
Strikeforce has wrapped up its lightweight champion for the foreseeable future. Gilbert Melendez, a staple of the San Jose, Calif.-based organization and one of the world's top-ranked 155-pound fighters, has signed a new multi-year deal, officials today announced. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Lightweight Champion Melendez Re-Ups with Strikeforce (2/7/2011 8:31:20 AM)
Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez on Monday agreed to a new multi-year contract with the San Jose, Calif.-based promotion. Terms of the deal were not disclosed
Lightweight Champ Gilbert Melendez Signs Multi-Year Extension with Strikeforce (2/7/2011 7:17:51 AM)
Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has signed a new multi-year contract to remain with the San Jose-based promotion ahead of an expected April title defense. Melendez defended the 155-pound title over Shinya Aoki in his most-recent bout last April.
Coker Wants to Match Melendez Against Kawajiri (1/9/2011 8:00:00 AM)
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker wants lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez to defend his title next against Tatsuya Kawajiri.
Melendez on Alvarez Bout: ‘We’re Getting Closer’ (10/31/2010 12:30:03 AM)
Talk of a co-promotional bout between Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has amplified since Alvarez’s win last week over Roger Huerta.
Thomson believes Strikeforce win just, looks forward to healing, facing Melendez (10/10/2010 10:10:00 AM)
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson wants everyone to get one thing straight: he tells it like it is. Thomson - who has recently been openly critical of the media's interpretation of the world lightweight rankings - likely earned a return shot at current champion Gilbert Melendez with his decision win over Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante at Saturday night's Showtime-broadcast Strikeforce event. But "The Punk" admits his body is less than ready for the encounter, especially when Melendez gave him the two toughest fights of his career.
Thomson Lines Up A Trilogy With Melendez (10/10/2010 3:52:45 AM)
Josh Thomson wasn't happy with the way his fight with JZ Cavalcante ended on Saturday night, but he's happy to step into a trilogy with friend Gilbert Melendez...
Melendez Talks Aoki And Other Challengers (8/19/2010 8:36:59 PM)
Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez responds to Dream titleholder Shinya Aoki's call for a rematch...