Gilbert Melendez just can't seem to catch a break.

The reigning Strikeforce Lightweight Champion was forced out of a planned title defense against Pat Healy less than two months ago with a torn AC joint (see the pic here) in his shoulder. The last-minute nature of his injury forced Showtime to announce it wouldn't air the bout, which quickly escalated to the cancellation of the Strikeforce event in Sacramento altogether.

The bad luck continued for Strikeforce as more main event injuries forced the cancellation of the Nov. 3, 2012, event in Oklahoma City, Okla., earlier this month.

"El Nino" was expected to reschedule his lightweight title defense for the main event of this upcoming January's loaded Strikeforce Champions show, although according to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White, that fight might now be in serious jeopardy once again.

Speaking with fans during a livechat via the Montreal Gazette, White had this to say when asked about Melendez finally making his Octagon debut:

"From what I'm hearing, and I don't run Strikeforce, Melendez is hurt again."

Shoulder injuries are extremely serious and if Melendez has aggravated his joint tear, he could be out for a while.

Thankfully, January's Strikeforce event has more than Melendez to fall back on, with two other planned title fights as Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold takes on Lorenz Larkin and Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nate Marquardt battles Taric Saffiedine. Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier is also expected to be in action.

White is not nearly as close to Strikeforce as he is to the UFC, so take Melendez's re-injured possibility with a slight grain of salt, but usually with White, where there's smoke, there's fire.

With about two months left until January's Strikeforce show, do you think Melendez will be able to compete, Maniacs?