Gilbert Melendez – image via Strikeforce.com
Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert ‘El Nino’ Melendez (21-2) has the date for his next title defense set for September 29, 2012 versus Pat ‘Bam Bam’ Healy (28-16).
Promotion officials announced the bout in an official release on Wednesday.
“There’s no doubt that Gilbert Melendez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but he’s facing a tough test when he defends the STRIKEFORCE lightweight title against Pat Healy in Sacramento,” STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker said. “Pat has been around the sport a long time and has put together an impressive winning streak. This is the biggest fight of his life and he doesn’t want to waste this opportunity.”
The co-main event will feature recently crowned STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix Heavyweight champ and San Jose’s own, Daniel Cormier, returning to the cage to take on his next challenge, as he looks to keep his unbeaten streak intact and prove he truly is one of the best in the division. Cormier’s opponent will be announced in the coming days.
STRIKEFORCE®: MELENDEZ vs. HEALY will air live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while preliminary fights will be shown live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast). Additional fights scheduled for the event are expected to be released shortly.
Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy is expected to take place on Sept. 29 at the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, California.
Melendez is 9-1 when it comes to the Strikeforce strap, and is currently riding a seven fight win streak. His most recent win took place in May, a grudge match versus Josh Thomson. ‘El Nino’ would win a split decision victory, putting him at 2-1 versus ‘The Punk’. Also included in that seven fight run are wins over Jorge Masvidal, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Shinya Aoki, Thomson in their second meeting, Mitsuhiro Ishida, and Rodrigo Damm.
Healy has pieced together five wins inside the Strikeforce cage and finds himself at 6-1 with the Zuffa promotion. He fought earlier this month in Portland, winning a decision over Mizuto Hirota at the Rockhold vs. Kennedy show. The other four victories include wins against Caros Fodor, Maximo Blanco, Eric Wisely, and Lyle Beerbohm.