Strikeforce comes to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif., with a solid card featuring two championship bouts, including the return of top pound-for-pound female fighter Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.
Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez’s title defense against top contender Jorge Masvidal will serve as the main attraction.
Currently on a five-fight win streak, Melendez looks to defend his title for a third consecutive time, but Masvidal, who is coming off back-to-back wins over K.J. Noons and Billy Evangelista, won’t be an easy mark.
This bout could very well be Melendez’s audition for a UFC contract. He would certainly be a major addition to the lightweight roster, considering most publications have him listed at No. 3 in the 155-pound rankings.
In the co-main event, Strikeforce women’s featherweight champion Cyborg makes her long-awaited return against Japanese striker Hiroko Yamanaka.
A contractual dispute with Strikeforce has kept Cyborg out of action for well over a year. She’ll have her work cut out for her against Yamanaka, who is typically listed at No. 2 in the female featherweight rankings.
Bleacher Report MMA featured columnists John Heinis, Dwight Wakabayashi, Brian Benchimol-Lopez and yours truly, Jordy McElroy, will break down and give our predictions on Saturday night’s event.
The time has come once again for you to feast on some manly induced knowledge in preparation for the upcoming fights. Snatch a cold beverage out the fridge and get comfortable. It’s prediction time.