Tag: Josh Thomson

Pat Healy: A Huge Letdown That the Melendez Fight Is Postponed

There is an old saying, “when it rains, it pours.”Nothing can be closer to the truth when it comes to fight cards being cancelled if your are an MMA fan.It was announced late last night via press release that this Saturday’s Strikeforce card, head…

There is an old saying, “when it rains, it pours.”

Nothing can be closer to the truth when it comes to fight cards being cancelled if your are an MMA fan.

It was announced late last night via press release that this Saturday’s Strikeforce card, headlined by Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez vs Pat Healy, has been cancelled due to Melendez suffering a shoulder injury in training.

Healy, who found found out yesterday evening, gives the timeline of when he found out the fight was postponed.

“I found out about 9:30 PM PST,” Healy told Bleacher Report. “Matt Lindland (Healy‘s manager) called me and started talking about it. He told me he got a call from Sean Shelby (Strikeforce matchmaker) and all he knew was that Melendez tore something in his shoulder and that I wasn’t fighting. Then I read the press release about an hour and saw that the whole card was cancelled.”

A new opponent wasn’t brought up to Healy when he found out the fight with Melendez was off, but he would have still fought on the card if asked.

“If they (Strikeforce) would have given me any opportunity to fight, I would have taken it,” Healy states. “No doubt about it. If they (Strikeforce) had anybody, I would have fought them.”

This is the second time a Zuffa card has been cancelled in exactly a month and Healy felt this card could have been saved.

“I was shocked (on the card being cancelled),” Healy states. “A good card could have been salvaged. I know Josh Thomson said he would have stepped up and other guys said they would have stepped up and fought me. Even if they would have taken just my fight off the card, it would have still been a good card.”

Melendez was obviously disappointed in not being able to defend his title this Saturday and apologized to Healy for having to bow out of the fight. Healy appreciated the noble gesture.

“He texted me and said, “Hey man, I’m sorry and I’m going to heal up and we can do it for real”, Healy said.

“It was a kind gesture from him. I asked him how long he thought he would be out for and he said about five weeks. It looks like it will be a little bit of a wait.”

Healy has always been known as a fighter who likes to stay busy, and feels Strikeforce should possibly schedule an interim title fight if Melendez is out for a lengthy period of time. If that’s the case, a rematch with Thomson makes sense.

“If they (Strikeforce) did an interim title, I would be happy with that,” Healy stated. “I like to fight. I don’t necessarily have to wait for Gilbert, especially if it’s going to be a long wait. I’d be happy to get in there and fight. Josh and I would probably make the most sense, unless they (Strikeforce) brought somebody in from the UFC.”

After everything that has happened in the last 24 hours, Healy is obviously disappointed.

“I was devastated,” Healy stated. “I’ve been working so hard for this. The camp went so well. I felt this was my moment. It was all leading up to this and for it to be postponed is a huge letdown.  This definitely the biggest bummer of my career.”

You can follow me on Twitter @fightclubchi.

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Oh, For God’s Sake: Strikeforce Considering a Fourth Match Between Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson


(Come on. I know gay Irish couples who get into less scraps less than these two. Photo via Sherdog.)

In May, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez took a unanimous decision in his rubber-match against Josh Thomson at “Barnett vs. Cormier,” settling their rivalry once and for all — OR DID IT?? Due to the relative lack of big-name challengers in the Strikeforce lightweight division and the promotion’s total lack of imagination, Strikeforce is actually considering a re-re-rematch between these two. Yaaaaaaay.

According to Thomson on an appearance on MMAJunkie.com Radio on Friday, Strikeforce plans to offer Melendez a fourth fight against him. Said the Punk: “From my understanding, they’re going to offer him the rematch, and if it doesn’t happen, it’s not because of me. I just want everyone to understand that.”


(Come on. I know gay Irish couples who get into less scraps less than these two. Photo via Sherdog.)

In May, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez took a unanimous decision in his rubber-match against Josh Thomson at “Barnett vs. Cormier,” settling their rivalry once and for all — OR DID IT?? Due to the relative lack of big-name challengers in the Strikeforce lightweight division and the promotion’s total lack of imagination, Strikeforce is actually considering a re-re-rematch between these two. Yaaaaaaay.

According to Thomson on an appearance on MMAJunkie.com Radio on Friday, Strikeforce plans to offer Melendez a fourth fight against him. Said the Punk: “From my understanding, they’re going to offer him the rematch, and if it doesn’t happen, it’s not because of me. I just want everyone to understand that.”

Duly noted. Thomson went on to state that if Melendez turns down the fight, Pat Healy would be the next in line. Healy’s decision win over Mizuto Hirota during the Rockhold vs. Kennedy prelims on Saturday increased his Strikeforce win streak to five, including impressive victories over Lyle Beerbohm and Maximo Blanco.

So yeah, Healy should get the shot, if you want to be fair about it. But do enough fans know Healy to make that fight marketable? You know, because Strikeforce keeps burying him on prelims? (If you were paying attention during this weekend’s main card broadcast, Healy was the guy with the horribly twisted nose who pleaded his case to Heidi Androl about how he’s earned his title shot, man.)

Anyway, would you be interested in seeing Melendez vs. Thomson 4? And what comes after “rubber match”? What do we call the fourth fight in a series that’s already been decided in three previous fights, and is only being considered out of desperation and promotional apathy? Glue match? Rubber-duckie match? Zombiematch? Is anybody listening to me?

Gilbert Melendez Says ‘No’ to 4th Bout with Josh Thomson

The Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson rivalry has officially come to an end.After being awarded a controversial split decision, Melendez quickly shut down the idea of a fourth fight with his longtime nemesis in an interview with Showtime Sports.”No. I …

The Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson rivalry has officially come to an end.

After being awarded a controversial split decision, Melendez quickly shut down the idea of a fourth fight with his longtime nemesis in an interview with Showtime Sports.

“No. I won the trilogy. This was supposed to be the end of it, like, let’s settle this. Didn’t we hear this over? ‘Let’s settle this once and for all.’ I think it was settled once and for all, but if you guys want to pay me triple or double, we’ll talk.”

For the first time in a long time, Melendez found himself in a fight at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier. The reigning lightweight champion was busted up on the feet and even taken down a few times by a game Thomson, who came into the bout as a major underdog.

When the verdict was announced and Melendez was declared the winner, an eruption of boos echoed throughout the entire arena in disagreement with the decision.

Despite being on the wrong end of the decision, Thomson was overly respectful after the fight and even asked fans not to boo Melendez. He did admit that he would be interested in a fourth bout if Strikeforce gives him an opportunity.

Unfortunately, the feeling isn’t mutual for “El Nino.”

If his interview with Showtime Sports wasn’t a convincing enough answer, Melendez’s actions at the post-fight press conference should be the final nail in the coffin.

USA Today posted updates of the incident on Twitter.

“Reporter asks Scott [Coker] if there’ll be a fourth fight. Gilbert: “Let me answer that: No.” and laughs.”

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Gilbert Melendez: How Does Last Night’s Fight Affect His Stock?

Last night, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez and former champ Josh Thomson completed their trilogy of fights, with Melendez earning the win in the rubber match by split decision.
When Thompson secured Melendez’s back in the fourth…

Last night, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez and former champ Josh Thomson completed their trilogy of fights, with Melendez earning the win in the rubber match by split decision.

When Thompson secured Melendez’s back in the fourth round and threatened with a rear naked choke, many believed that he deserved the victory. After all, the fight was close, and Melendez looked tired in the championship rounds.

This mentality destroys Melendez’s stock in people’s minds, leading them to believe that if he could not dominate Thomson, then he would falter against the top lightweights in the UFC. However, many still believe that Melendez is arguably the best 155-pound fighter in the world, based on his wins over fighters such as Clay Guida, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Shinya Aoki and Jorge Masvidal. 

So, what is fact here? Is Melendez a sham? Is he a good talent but not championship material? Or is he really the best in the world?

People seem to really be underrating Thomson. Even here on this site, he has been talked about as a person that should not even be an obstacle for Melendez at this stage in his career.

Now, Thomson is not a top-tier mixed martial artist. However, he is extremely well rounded and holds some impressive victories, including some solid wins in the UFC. He managed to turn Melendez’s eye into a giant mess last night.

It is obvious that Melendez was the better mixed martial artist. However, his cardio suffered, and his accuracy faded when the swelling continued to increase. And yet, he was still able to outpoint Thompson and win the decision.

Even though it was close, and he was in some bad spots, Melendez is still a top lightweight. Maybe he isn’t the guy that will come to the UFC and start a reign at the top, but he showed us that he is still a top talent, and that he needs to come to the UFC.

Thomson proved more than anyone that he too belongs in the UFC. His last stint with the company ended when he was on the receiving end of a highlight KO by the former uncrowned king of the division, Yves Edwards. 

Honestly, this was a great fight, with two talented 155ers battling it out for the third and presumably final time. It is no reason to degrade either fighter. They showed heart, talent and versatility, proving that they are worthy of being present on the big stage with Gray Maynard, Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson.

Maybe they won’t win the title, but they will both be competitive and exciting in MMA‘s most stacked division.

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“Strikeforce: Barnett vs Cormier” Aftermath: Tournament Alternate Cormier Takes the HWGP

Mauro haters, hit mute now. Actually, everyone hit mute and read what I say about the fights below. (Video: YouTube/ShoSports)

Bruised and battered. Cut and bloodied. Josh Barnett’s face wasn’t one of a man who got out-wrestled last night. Olympic-level or not, wrestling doesn’t leave you looking like you put your head through a meat grinder. Don’t get me wrong, he did get out-wrestled last night, he just got out-struck as well. He got out-everythinged, if you want to get technical.

It didn’t have to be that way, of course. A lot of men would have wilted earlier–much earlier–in the onslaught of Daniel Cormier’s attack. But Barnett never thought of taking the easy way out, and today his face testifies to the evolving game of Cormier. The AKA product showed great versatility in his striking, staggering Barnett with heavy hands, head kicks, and knees. His combinations come fast, hard, and often, which explains why his hand surgeon is on retainer (yeah, he broke his hand again last night). When he did grab hold of “The War Master”, his grappling pedigree shone as well. He sent Barnett stumbling across the cage from the clinch and dolled out single-leg frequent flier miles, at one point flipping the former UFC champion in the air before slamming him to the mat.

Mauro haters, hit mute now. Actually, everyone hit mute and read what I say about the fights below.  (Video: YouTube/ShoSports)

Bruised and battered. Cut and bloodied. Josh Barnett‘s face wasn’t one of a man who got out-wrestled last night. Olympic-level or not, wrestling doesn’t leave you looking like you put your head through a meat grinder. Don’t get me wrong, he did get out-wrestled last night, he just got out-struck as well. He got out-everythinged, if you want to get technical.

It didn’t have to be that way, of course. A lot of men would have wilted earlier–much earlier–in the onslaught of Daniel Cormier’s attack. But Barnett never thought of taking the easy way out, and today his face testifies to the evolving game of Cormier. The AKA product showed great versatility in his striking, staggering Barnett with heavy hands, head kicks, and knees. His combinations come fast, hard, and often, which explains why his hand surgeon is on retainer (yeah, he broke his hand again last night). When he did grab hold of “The War Master”, his grappling pedigree shone as well. He sent Barnett stumbling across the cage from the clinch and dolled out single-leg frequent flier miles, at one point flipping the former UFC champion in the air before slamming him to the mat.

If Cormier looked great last night it was only because Barnett forced him to. Josh had DC in trouble on more than one occasion, visibly hurting him in the second frame with a right hand-left knee combination, and later working dutifully for leg-locks on the ground. He too will have to nurse a broken hand suffered in the opening frame, but hopefully he’ll find his way to the Octagon soon.

The rubbermatch between Gilbert Melendez and challenger Josh Thomson was far more evenly contested and therefor far more difficult to judge. The old rivals started off slowly in a pair of cautious opening rounds. Both men found a home for their fists in those first two frames, but with the more active hands and several short-lived takedowns the champion edged out Thomson on the cards. “The Punk” came alive in the third, turning up the heat in a pivotal swing-round that could arguably have gone either way on a night where the scorecards bore little resemblance to the action taking place inside the cage.

Thomson took control in the championship rounds. Another slick trip takedown in the fourth round ended with the challenger taking Melendez’s back and threatening with several rear naked choke attempts. “The Punk” outlanded the champion two-to-one in significant strikes in the final round, taking Melendez down and maintaining top-control to close the bout.

Thomson suffered from repeated unintentional eye pokes throughout the bout, and a potential point deduction would have yielded a majority draw in a bout that either man could have been awarded under the Unified Rules. Under Melendez’s hometown ‘Stockton Rules‘, however, that belt is changing hands. “El Nino” got busted up in the exchanges and looked far more worse for wear after the fight. Though Thomson wasn’t exactly unleashing hell from above as the final bell rang, momentum had clearly shifted in his direction in the latter half of the battle. No matter who you had ahead, there will be no fourth fight and Melendez is keeping the strap.

In a far more decisive battle, Rafael Cavalcante evened the score in his rematch with Mike Kyle. Only seconds into their bout, “Feijao” connected with a knee to the grill that sent Kyle flying back against the cage. The Brazilian swarmed him on the ground with a torrent of hammerfists, many to the back of the head, before Kyle worked his way back to his feet. Perhaps inspired by Jon Jones pulling guard at UFC 145–not!–Feijao jumped around MAK’s waist and sunk in a guillotine. Kyle stayed standing for a bit before attempting to slam his way free of the choke, but Feijao rolled with the momentum and cranked away for the tap once they hit the ground.

In the evening’s opening tilt, late-replacement Chris Spang needed less than a round to dispatch Nah-Shon Burrell and even up his family’s MMA record over the weekend. Spang dropped Burrell halfway through the first then threw more high knees than a Rockettes performance. Fortunately for Burrell, he was out on his feet for much of the abuse, and referee Josh Rosenthal mercifully called the bout once Burrell collapsed his way out of Spang’s thai clinch and sprawled out on the canvas.

Also, if you didn’t catch the Virgil Zwicker-Carlos Inocente throwdown in the prelims, do yourself a favor. The only part of Zwicker’s body that Inocente doesn’t smash was his heart. It’s an entertaining scrap that casts Zwicker as the loveable anti-Sapp.

 

– @ChrisColemon

 

Full Results: (via: MMAWeekly.com)

Main Card (on Showtime):
-Daniel Cormier def. Josh Barnett by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
-Gilbert Melendez def. Josh Thomson by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
-Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante def. Mike Kyle by submission (guillotine choke) at :33, R1
-Chris Spang def. Nah-Shon Burrell by KO at 1:35, R1

Preliminary Card (on Showtime Extreme):
-Isaac Vallie-Flagg def. Cesias “JZ” Cavalcante by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
-Carlos Augusto “Guto” Inocente Filho def. Virgil Zwicker by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
-Gian Villante def. Derrick Mehmen  by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
-Quinn Mulhern def. Yuri Villefort by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
-Bobby Green def. James Terry by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Strikeforce Results: Josh Thomson Shows a Lot of Class in Loss

The trilogy between Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson was completed on Saturday night at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier.After a hard-fought five rounds, Melendez came away with a very close split-decision victory (49-48, 48-49, 49-48) in a fight that…

The trilogy between Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson was completed on Saturday night at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier.

After a hard-fought five rounds, Melendez came away with a very close split-decision victory (49-48, 48-49, 49-48) in a fight that most would agree could have gone either way.

Once the decision was read, Thomson’s body language expressed extreme dissatisfaction. It appeared he was gearing up to rip the judging. Thomson’s cooler head prevailed, and he had this to say inside the cage to Showtime commentator Mauro Ranallo (via Contra Costa Times):

One thing I want to say is please don’t boo Gilbert. He’s one of the best fighters if not the best in the world. Please, he’s a great fighter man. He knows I love him he’s a great fighter. If I’m going to lose to somebody I’m glad it’s him.

Ranallo also posed the idea of a fourth fight in which Thomson responded enthusiastically with,”Who wants to see a fourth fight!”

In comparison, this is how excited Melendez was about a proposed fourth fight: “Yeah, sure whatever.”

The two men put on a great fight, but it is time for “El Nino” to move on to the UFC. As classy as Thomson was in defeat, Melendez seemed equally as disinterested in continuing his career with Strikeforce. 

 

Follow Joe Chacon on Twitter (@JoeChacon).

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