Strikeforce bringing Gilbert Melendez vs Shinya Aoki to CBS on April 17
by Jesse Holland on Mar 1, 2010 8:35 PM EST
Email
Print
DREAM import Shinya Aoki will get first crack at newly-crowned lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez when the Japanese submission fighter makes his stateside debut on the main card of the upcoming Strikeforce event planned for April 17 on CBS.
Josh Gross of SI.com tweeted the proposed match-up earlier today.
The bout is expected to serve as one of three championship contests on the promotion's upcoming trip to Nashville for "Saturday Night Fights" on CBS. While "El Nino" is putting his strap on the line, "The Tobikan Judan" will reportedly keep his title safe and sound back in DREAM.
Melendez (17-2) has been electric since falling to Josh Thomson in June of 2008. In addition to TKO wins over Rodrigo Damm and Mitsuhiro Ishida, the former PRIDE and Shooto standout avenged his loss to "The Punk" at last December's "Evolution" card from San Jose, taking the 155-pound title in the process.
The California native has been vocal about bringing Aoki to the States in order to test himself against the grappling wizard and cement himself as one of the world's top lightweights.
But is he biting off more than he can chew?
After an ill-advised trip to welterweight -- one that saw him get turned inside out by Hayato Sakurai at DREAM 8 -- Aoki moved back down to lightweight where he belongs, rattling off three straight wins and improving his record to 23-4.
While often criticized for his underwhelming stand-up, Aoki is a terror on the ground, having tapped such notable fighters as Eddie Alvarez, Joachim Hansen and Vitor Riberio.
The "Tobikan Judan" also showed a darker side on New Year's Eve, cranking a hammerlock until it snapped the arm of Mizuto Hirota at FieLDS Dynamite!! prior to flipping off the crowd on Dec. 31.
Needless to say that any similar action in Nashville would be unwise -- though you can bet Melendez will try to make sure he never gets the chance.
The Strikeforce event planned for April17 in Nashville is also expected to feature light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi defending his title against fast-rising prospect Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal. Jake Shields will also put his 185-pound belt on the line against UFC import Dan Henderson.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to the upcoming Strikeforce/CBS card as they become available.
84 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Nice
This is gonna be a good one. Ill take gilbert.
Going to church doesnt make you any more Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Ya I was woder How Aoki will do with out his pants, hell probably come in like George did at 110
Pound for Pound top 5
1. Anderson Sliva
2. GSP
3. Fedor
4. BJ Penn
5. Lyoto Machida
by NorCal Mexican on Mar 1, 2010 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
Melendez
by TKO rd 2… Aoki has no stand up and wont be able to take Melendez down
by PHISH NATION on Mar 2, 2010 12:56 AM EST up reply actions
NorCal - Aoki doesn't have magical pants. Yea they can help with grip but...
i think it’s more likely that he’s an excellent grappler that he has subbed out so many or has been able to compete on the highest level of grappling. I will actually take him to beat Gilbert ala JZ. Gilbert will try to sprawl and brawl but the problem is that after he sprawls, he just sits there. Not a good idea with guard pullers or guys with dangerous guards.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Mar 2, 2010 8:13 AM EST up reply actions
Oh yea this fight will never happen btw, FEG won't let it happen.
They’re just jerking Strikeforce around.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Mar 2, 2010 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
Probably right....
But if it does, I’m taking Aoki by human pretzel. Due to El Nino’s wrestling, I think we will be seeing Aoki’s legendary “Dog Scooting-Ass-on-Carpet” technique in this one…
"You're doing a lot of choppin', but no chips are flyin'." - Foghorn Leghorn
lol
Fedor with a gun... ULTIMATE DANGER!!!
by Spinning Fat Kick on Mar 2, 2010 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
Ass walking doesnt work in the cage...
Though no angles to cut off, so he will have to get back up! That is where Gilbert will win this fight on the ground. I llke Glbert in this…Between his standup, wrestling, and his bjj skillls I think he has this!
Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up they would pound each other behind the barn!"
awesome fight! For once NNR, I hope you are wrong and the fight actually takes place!
I would have to side with aoki over el nino…Alvarez has a very similar skill set to Gilbert only Eddie is a little better then Gilbert, and we all saw what happened to my boy eddie when aoki got his hands on him. His grappling is off the charts. tOo much is made of his “Magic pants”…wont make a difference. All Aoki has to do is pull guard and Gilbert is in a world of trouble!
I would think Gil got better sub defense than Eddie though seeing that he is constantly training with both Diaz's and Shields
As opposed to Alvarez training down in Philly.
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
This is going to be a great card,
So when will Dana start bitching about all the publicity Strikeforce is getting and the UFC or WEC isnt getting today?
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
lol Felix he had no news to offer
…so he donated 7500 to a lil girl. Pretty smart.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:33 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
HOLY STRIKEFORCE NEWS!!!!!!!
WOW – lots of news broke!
Looks like my Birthday fight card is shaping up very nicely. And one of my presents is Hendo KO’ing Shields.
For these other fights, I like Gegard, Aoki and Overeem.
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
Marcus Davis twitter “I hope Hardy dies of aids” those bloody cocky brits eh?
I was a fool to think Bisping had any chance against the Axe Murderer, and even more foolish to bet agaisnt the great Puck Head.
Davis man grooms his eyebrows
I think he’s more likely to suffer from that ailment than Hardy.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
Davis is an arsehole who takes himself way too seriously
Fuck that guy, what a stupid thing to say. How is MMA supposed to be viewed as a legitimate sport when it’s fighters say such ignorant things. The anti-MMA brigade have been given so much ammo by Davis and Mir, both are complete morons.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Agreed.
But it woulda been funny if he said he hopes he dies of “the aids.”
perfect example riiight here boys!
Where’s the HUGE wah wah uproar from when Mir wished death upon Brock? Bet you we don’t see anything about Davis being forced to apologize. Bet Dana doesn’t publicly call him a fucking idiot.
Why? Cause Dana and most of you don’t man crush Hardy like you do Brock.
That and its not that big a deal. But he did describe the manner in which he wanted him to die. Just like Mir. I’m sure you guys have a valid reason why this isn’t ‘as bad’ though.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I take more offense to what Davis said then what Mir said
I don’t think Mir meant the same way Davis means it here. He’s not dreaming of fighting the dude and wrecking him. He recognizes he can’t and is wishing disease on him. Pussy…
He didn't say he wants to murder him with his hands in the UFC octagon.
That is a little different. Its like saying he hopes he gets hit by a train. No biggie.
Hell, I wouldn’t mind seeing Dan Hardy die either!!!!!!
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
After his most recent quote, he earned himself a couple years in my book!
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
lol i knew someone would have a reason this isnt a big deal
But what Mir said was. Personally I have no problem with either of them said. But there has been about 500+ comments crying about why what Mir said was wrong.
Where’s the huge uproar for this? Aids is no joke blah blah and so on.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 10:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not as many cry babies as what brock said after 100 though
For some reason Brock haters sound like little girls?
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Its not a big a deal
to Dana, although the comment is bound to offend quite a few, because it does not relate directly to the UFC or MMA. His comment would not directly affect or hinder MMA or the UFC getting sactioning in any state, where as Mir saying he wants to commit the first death inside the octogan in MMA could. The comments are not the same, but they are equally ignorant just like the individuals who said them. As I believe this sport probably has the biggest gay following out of any sport, it would probably be a good move on Danas part to act on this, depending on the sort of feedback he gets.
I am no fan of Brock or Mir by the way.
Great post exept I don't know about the gay part,
you probally know more about that than me?
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
you probally know more about that than me?
LOL
"Champions are not made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision." -Muhammad Ali
alot of news from strikeforce today
still want to hear what is up with fedor.
fuck mang me too
Can’t someone score an interview with him? Or even M1? If the shit is about to hit the fan, let’s start it now, the sooner I know, the more time I have to cope, and the sooner I can be over it.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
SOOOO much Strikeforce news from yesterday I can't even begin working for another hour at least....
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
until he gets careless and leaves an arm out...Aoki...2nd rnd sub
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
Aoki has fought many times fruit pantless. His subs worked just fine.
Gilbert is getting either UD’d or heelhooked. I am taking the latter.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Mar 2, 2010 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
but a win by fruit pants may get him in to the UFC
Then i could watch BJ knock him after he comes into the cage with his gay song he has
I love Aoki's song!
Remember, Aoki will have 5 rounds to catch Gilbert.
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
aoki as well
Milendez’ new found ‘striking’ is a little too sloppy, it just so happened that Thompson’s was as well. Gilbert’s over confidence in this department should lead to an opening and, ultimately, a submission from aoki. I’m looking at a standing guillotine, that eventually is taken to the ground til a tap follows shortly after.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:42 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
And lets not forget Aoki doesn't take no for an answer
He will not stand if he doesn’t want and he never wants. He’ll butt scoot until he gets his way. Lol.
Awsome action the next few months starting with UFC versus!!
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Superb card
Shields-Hendo
Gil-Aoki
Mousasi-Mo
Great card for CBS, who needs Fedor? I like Gil’s chances in this one, he’s been waiting years for this fight and has never looked better. He has much better striking and wrestling than Aoki and his BJJ is good enough for him to not get careless. I like his chances a lot in this one. SF 2-0 Dream.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Yup
I’d buy the card if the UFC was hosting it but free is pretty damn sweet.
Depending on whether I'm still home from uni or not that weekend I'll either buy the online stream again or watch the replay on Bravo
Great card either way and I’d be happy to pay if I have to, it’s PPV caliber in my opinion.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
David word is it might be live on bravo
then replayed various times through out the weeks following
Every night i would pray to God for a new bike, then i realized God does not work that way, so i stole one and asked him to forgive me
Pointless to stack one card with three main events....
when their roster is so fn thin. I would have extended it across three shows because none of those guys have any mass appeal, hell the public doesn’t even know any of them aside from maybe hendo. These guys keep catering to hardcore fans and will run their show into the ground.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Mar 2, 2010 8:17 AM EST up reply actions
not pointless
Your exact point is made EVERY STRIKEFORCE card. Always, somebody says it. Maybe you’d have a point if they had a big card to attempt every month, but they don’t. This April/May is the first time. They usually are 2-4 months apart. By then they can have repeat fighters from the previous card. Most guys fight 3-4 times a year anyways.
Or 12x if you’re Overeem lol.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
they only do a few big shows a year
I think it’s best this way
Fedor with a gun... ULTIMATE DANGER!!!
by Spinning Fat Kick on Mar 2, 2010 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
worby already said that
Fedor with a gun... ULTIMATE DANGER!!!
by Spinning Fat Kick on Mar 2, 2010 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
SFK you're the shit
I read your 2 posts like you were 2 different posters then had to re read your name twice to make sure that you indeed do just have multiple personalities ha ha.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 10:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
figured somebody would point that out
figured it may as well have been me! thought about calling me an idiot as well, but I didn’t want to start anything.
Fedor with a gun... ULTIMATE DANGER!!!
by Spinning Fat Kick on Mar 2, 2010 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
But what about the press release and Coker coming out
last year saying they’re going to be on the 12 show per year model?
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Mar 2, 2010 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
I hope that they book Jacre vs. Shamrock!
Love to see Jacre turn Shammy into Oragami! But shammy is a hoe n wont take that fight!
SWEET!!!!
Great Card…3 Title fights?
Champ Jake Shields vs. Dan Henderson (for middleweight title)
Champ Gegard Mousasi vs. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (for light heavyweight title)
Champ Gilbert Melendez vs. Shinya Aoki (for lightweight title)
Wow.
so complain then boys!
Lol, its kinda funny! The UFC boys are so blatant its amusing. Really! Ha ha, waaaah STRIKEFORCE is gonna fold, they pose no threat to UFC. Waaaah Fedor will cause them to fold. Waaaah their roster isn’t deep enough. Waaaah too many title fights on one card.
There’s like 3 or 4 ufc’s in the next month and some. Don’t watch this. We’ll all be happy.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Funny thing
I don’t see any complaining or hate on my comment. Just facts!
You Strikeoforce kids need to work on your emotions. ;)
Another great matchup for Strikeforce!
Fantastic card they have put together, and it shows that SF is a lot more than just the Fedor show. All 6 of the guys in the title fights would be contenders in the UFC (Shields at WW though, he’d get killed at MW), and all 3 fights should be very exciting. The next few months are going to be incredible for MMA fans, starting this weekend with the WEC card!
My picks for the SF card: Hendo, Mousasi, and Melendez
There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
This is the difference Fedor makes
Imagine if this card also had Fedor in the main event. With the gilbert fight added this card is strong but with Fedor and on CBS this would have been the kinda of card that the company would grown from. Its sink or swim right now and a cbs televised card in primetime could set some historic records just like the last card with Fedor Vs Rogers. Even the cbs cards with kimbo had top ten viewers alltime. Missed opportunity for SF and Fedor.
Bas Rutten: He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Stephen Quadros: Yes, well many of the fighters have a black belt.
Bas Rutten: Yes, but in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you cant buy your belt like in say, Tae Kwon Do.
Stephen Quadros: Do you have any belts?
Bas Rutten: I have a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.
by DrewMoney$$$ on Mar 1, 2010 10:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Mistake in the article
Uh…big mistake boss, Aoki did not tap Vitor Ribeiro, it went to decision. Aoki couldn’t tap Ribeiro anyway!!!
Don't like either of these guys but since i live in The Bay Area
I have to go with Gilbert Melendez. He’s a better all around fighter and his training partners should be enough to get him ready.
Aoki has this.
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
great card now. thanks strikeforce...........
and thank you ed soares for pushing hendo out of the ufc, now i get to see him fight for free. ha,ha,ha,ha, fuck you dana!!!
by Conan the Barbarian on Mar 2, 2010 1:09 AM EST reply actions
yay! fuck you Dana!
Lol THX Conan I needed that.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 2, 2010 8:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Dear Melendez
Im sorry your arm has to get broken. And i see Aoki wearing what george did against joe daddy.
I like Aoki...
but I think its sooooooo close to call.
I say 45% chance KO By Melendez, 35% Unanimous Decision Aoki, 20% Submission Aoki…
I am still waiting on ...
The Tokyo 5 Tshirt I won at the last contest….
Does anyone know when they will arrive.
soon...wear something else in the meantime
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
ME TOO
I emailed Jesse about it… he just said that it was on it’s way etc…
Fedor with a gun... ULTIMATE DANGER!!!
by Spinning Fat Kick on Mar 2, 2010 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Im still wating on my signed Rachelle Leah Playboy from the Bisping vs Leben contest!!!!!!!!
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
Ok I will go out on a limb...
Aoki by Decision (Wins via crappy takedowns)
Hendo by KO 2nd Round (Shields shoots and eats a fist)
Mousoui by KO 2nd Round (KICK TO THE HEAD)
Luv Gil he's a hometown kid & everything
But Aokis subs R so crazy & he has so many I think he’s guna catch Gil in the 1st o 2nd. Hope gil tkos him tho. Either way shud be a gr8 fight!
by d*locc on Mar 2, 2010 2:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
