Melendez vs Thomson Strikeforce fight preview to air on HDNet

by James Iannotti on Jun 11, 2008 8:29 PM EDT

gilbert melendez josh thomson
HDNet will air a half-hour preview show this Friday (June 14) at 12 a.m. ET, detailing the June 27 Strikeforce: "Melendez vs. Thomson" event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

The show will feature all access training footage for both main event fighters, 155-pound champion Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez (14-1) and Josh "The Punk" Thomson (14-2) as the pair prepare for their lightweight title fight in two weeks.

Melendez is a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the esteemed Caesar Gracie, but can also finish with his hands. He won the Strikeforce lightweight title in June of 2006 with a split decision win over UFC veteran Clay Guida.

This will be his second title defense -- the first came in March during the Strikeforce: "Shamrock vs. Le" event when he stopped Gabe Lemley in the second round with strikes.

"The Punk" also fought Guida, but was on the losing end of the decision. His other loss was a highlight-reel knockout courtesy of Elite XC lightweight contender Yves Edwards at UFC 49: "Unfinished Business." Other than those two blips, he's been stellar so far in his MMA career with wins over Hermes Franca, Nam Phan, Duane Ludwig and others.

Thompson has a wrestling background from Stanford University and trains at American Kickboxing Academy with guys like Mike Swick, Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch, among others.

This is going to be a great fight and more hype from a preview show can't be a bad thing. HDNet has really does a nice job of providing solid MMA coverage. Let's hope the network keeps it up.

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Comments

This will be an awesome fight. The only problem is going to be the rest of the card.

by Ballam on Jun 11, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

Gilberts tha MAN!!!! Stompin *SS is the business Gilbert knows best!!

by ( (Adam G) ) on Jun 11, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

Gilbert get out NOW, you can’t afford to have Gary Shaw as
a associate for much longer. Leave a save face.

by ro-J on Jun 11, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions

*and

by ro-J on Jun 11, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Look I know its work and you’re probably stuck in a contract, and you might not want to work for the big elephant but, Gary Shaw’s motives have been exposed.

The guy is poisoning our sport with a low production standarts, Bad PR, Bad Presentation, horible match making with the exception of 4 fights, nasty comunication with medical staph and the Commisions…..

I will always be a melendez fan. But I won’t see him fight until he is not associated with Gary Shaw.

by ro-J on Jun 11, 2008 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

Melendez is a Strikeforce fighter, which is not associated with Gary Shaw or ProElite/Elite XC. The only reason the two co-promote is because of a contract dispute that involves Frank Shamrock. Repeat: Elite XC and Strikeforce are totally separate.

by MMAmania on Jun 11, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Set ’em strait GANSTA!!!

by ( (Adam G) ) on Jun 11, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

So you just pointed out how they are related through co-promotion, but they are not associated?. I quees co-promotion do not count as being associates. I guess I see it all wrong.

by ro-J on Jun 12, 2008 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Melendez should be fighting in UFC or DREAM. He’s a great fighter id like to see him against even tougher opposition, which i don’t think he’ll get much of in Strikeforce. How could UFC let Strikeforce get Meledez and Misaki for that matter?

by Macho Bullshit on Jun 11, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

I know, him/Sherk, him/Huerta etc would be awesome, him/Guida, could you imagine!

by ( (Adam G) ) on Jun 11, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Gilbert fought Guida in a Strikeforce bout and whooped his ass bad… handed him his head on a platter.

I believe Melendez use to fight at 145lbs, I would luv to see Melendez vs Faber. Sadly, Strikeforce will never give Melendez up, unless they go belly up!
Gilbert could be a contender with any organization there is.

by THORAZINE on Jun 12, 2008 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I haven’t seen the fight, but if he whooped his ass, why was it a split decision? Was one judge an idiot?

by Pat on Jun 12, 2008 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

You guys are right. Josh Thompson is an awesome fighter and it’s a great match up for Melendez, the best he’s gonna find in Strikeforce. After this fight, however, he needs to find a new organization to fight for. He should go with Affliction or UFC or Dream.

by Ballam on Jun 12, 2008 7:46 AM EDT reply actions