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Friday, February 27, 2009
Gilbert Melendez Comments On Rematch With Thomson
 Just days after the announcement of the rematch between Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce lightweight title, MMA Insider caught up with the Cesar Gracie student to get his thoughts on the rematch, and possibly the biggest fight of his career.
"Looking forward to the rematch," Melendez said in communication with MMA Insider this week.
The bout will happen just about 9 months after the first match-up that saw Melendez lose his title to Thomson via unanimous decision. Since that time Melendez hasn't fought, but has been training for sometime waiting for an opponent.
Now that opponent will be none other than the last fighter to defeat him.
For this fight, Melendez understands that he has to go back and learn from past mistakes to get the win over a very tough and game opponent like Josh Thomson.
"I'm going to look at the tape and come up with a better gameplan," Melendez said about the rematch.
With the fight in San Jose, both Thomson and Melendez will have a big support system in the crowd, but for now the former champion is only focused on getting the title back.Labels: Gilbert Melendez, Josh Thomson, Strikeforce
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 5:26 PM
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Do All Elite Champs Go To Heaven?
In a conference call announcing Strikeforce's first solo Showtime effort on Apr. 11, CEO Scott Coker said the merging of Elite XC talent with his roster would create possibility for new champions.
"We should give them the ability to come fight and unify the titles at some point in 09," said Coker.
The first fight in that vein would be a bout between Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and former Elite XC champion KJ Noons (Noons never lost the title, but was stripped in a contract dispute with the organization) on the 11th.
"That would be an amazing fight and that's why we're trying to put that together," said Coker.
No word yet on whether Noons--or more accurately, his manager, Mark Dion--has accepted the bout, but on paper, it looks to be a dynamite match-up.
As for Elite's other title holders, like welterweight champ Jake Shields, middleweight champ Robbie Lawler, and heavyweight champ Antonio Silva, the bag is mixed.
Shields has not yet come to terms with his contract's transfer to Strikeforce, reportedly prefers a jump to the UFC, and most important, Strikeforce doesn't have a current undisputed welterweight champion.
Lawler is on board for the transfer, but has a slim to none chance of facing Cung Le until late 2009, and may be second in line to a Le rematch with Frank Shamrock.
Silva is out--Coker opted not to pick up "Giant" in light of his pending suit with the California State Athletic Commission.
One out of four isn't great, but it's a start.Labels: Antonio Silva, Jake Shields, Josh Thomson, Robbie Lawler, Strikeforce
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:30 AM
Monday, December 8, 2008
Josh Thomson's Toe Jam
 Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson had to bow out of a title defense against Yves Edwards at "Destruction" on Nov. 22 due to an injured toe. Almost a month later, the toe in question ain't doing any better.
"For some reason, I still can't run, I can't do cardio, I can't do anything right now," he tells MMAInsider. "I can't ride a bike...you have to push on the balls of your feet. I can't do anything that causes my big toe to bend."
In short, Thomson is one step away from being an invalid.
"It's horrible; I'm fat," he jokes. "I don't seem to have a problem eating."
Thomson is doing rehab on the injury twice a day, and his doctor has worked out the scar tissue that had built up in the digit. If it doesn't get better in two weeks, he says an anticipated February return for Strikeforce is off the table. He will, however, get on their card tentatively scheduled for March in San Jose.
"Even if I have to find a way to shoot up my toe or something," he stresses.
One thing Thomson is getting accomplished: shopping. Drive to a mall in San Jose, Calif., and you just might find him there.
"With the holidays, there's plenty of things to do."Labels: Josh Thomson
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 8:02 PM
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