(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?