Josh Thomson
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Strikeforce’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” event goes down tomorrow at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. You can watch the main card live on HDNet beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET; here’s what you’ll be seeing…
Gilbert Melendez (14-1) vs. Josh Thomson (14-2) [for lightweight title]
With five straight wins in Strikeforce and an impressive ground game, Josh “The Punk” Thomson would be a credible threat to Gilbert Melendez’s Strikeforce belt, except for two things — he’s still recovering from shoulder surgery, and he and Melendez are longtime training partners, which means the champion already knows his game a little too well. It won’t be a gimme, but El Niño’s relentless aggression will likely win the day, as it usually does; though maybe he’ll go easy on his friend and let it go to a decision.
Bobby Southworth (8-5) vs. Anthony Ruiz (20-10) [for light heavyweight title]
205-pound champion Southworth actually lost his last fight against Anthony Ruiz, via TKO due to cut at “Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives” in November. For unclear reasons — and if you know, please enlighten us — the match was a non-title fight, and it set up tomorrow’s rematch for the championship. Though Southworth hasn’t fought since, Ruiz has scored wins against Jimmy Ambriz and Brad Imes. Submissions are Ruiz’s kryptonite (eight of his ten losses come from chokes and armbars), so Southworth would be wise to get it to the ground before he’s stuffed again by Ruiz’s sharp striking. Still, I see Ruiz taking it by decision and earning the belt he should already be wearing. Fun fact: Southworth picked up a no-contest against James Irvin at “Strikeforce: Revenge,” when both men fell from the cage at the 17-second mark of round 1.
Nam Phan (14-4) vs. Billy Evangelista (6-0)
With a mix of punching power and ground fluency, Billy Evangelista is a promising talent in the lightweight division, and Nam Phan definitely represents the next step up in competition for him. A Strikeforce newcomer, Phan is coming off of back-to-back TKO victories; he’s lost just twice in his last 11 fights, to Gesias Calvancante and Josh Thomson. Both guys will be coming out looking to prove themselves, but I’d have to give the nod to Phan based on experience.
Luke Stewart (5-1) vs. Joe Riggs (27-10)
It was originally supposed to be Shonie Carter up against Luke Stewart, but Mr. International broke his knuckle and Joe Riggs was sent to fill in. Riggs hasn’t been in the cage since his back exploded during his Strikeforce at the Dome bout against Cory Devela in February; he had spinal cord surgery shortly after, and I wonder if his return is still too soon, especially considering he took the fight on a week’s notice. All six of Luke Stewart’s pro fights have been in Strikeforce, all his wins are by stoppage, and he’s coming off his first defeat, a decision loss against Tiki Ghosn. It’s hard to call, but if Riggs is less than 100%, he’s going to have a tough night ahead of him.
Jeremiah Metcalf (8-4) vs. Raymond Daniels (0-0)
Metcalf is being given a third chance to prove himself in Strikeforce, after being submitted by Luke Stewart in October 2006, and again by Dennis Hallman last November; he’s riding a three-fight win streak in smaller shows and is ready to get back on that horse. Daniels has the hype behind him in this match. Undefeated as a pro kickboxer, he built up an 18-0 record in Chuck Norris’ World Combat League (check out some of the destruction here). The guy could be the next Cung Le, which works out nicely because Cung Le doesn’t seem to be particularly interested in being Cung Le these days. Daniels via highlight-reel knockout.
And the undercard looks like this:
Miesha Tate (1-1) vs. Elaina Maxwell (2-2)
Chris Cariaso (6-1) vs. Anthony Figueroa (4-2)
Jesse Gillespie (1-1) vs. Dave Martin (0-1)
Bobby Stack (4-1) vs. Jose Palacios (3-0)
Brian Caraway (4-2) vs. Alvin Cacdac (4-3)
Cyrillo Padhillo (1-2) vs. Jesse Jones (2-0)
Eric Jacob (1-3) vs. Alexander Trivino (1-0)
Jorge Interiano (0-0) vs. Travis Johnson (0-0)
Written by admin on June 26th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Preview and Luke Stewart and san jose and Bobby Southworth and Anthony Ruiz and Strikeforce and Josh Thomson and Joe Riggs and Gilbert Melendez and MMA.
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (14-1) and Josh Thomson (14-2) are booked to scrap during the main event at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, Calif., on Friday June 27.
The 155-pound tilt between “Bay-area archrivals” was supposed to go down on March 29; however, “The Punk” has to undergo surgery to repair a left shoulder injury. “El Nino” went on to defend his title against Gabe Lemley with a second round technical knockout.
Here’s a snip from Melendez:
“This is a very big fight for the fans, for the promotion and for Josh and me. Josh is a great fighter, but I’m the champ and I plan on remaining the champ for a long time.”
Thomson is on a six-fight win streak, finishing five of those fights inside the distance mostly with submissions. He stopped Adam Lynn with a technical knockout his last time out at Strikeforce: “Playboy Mansion” in September 2007.
Here’s a snip from Thomason:
“This fight with Gilbert has been a long time coming and we’re ready to do it. It’s not as if we need a feeling out period. We both know each other very well. We’ve trained together, we’ve sparred together. We’re gonna come out ready for five rounds, but we’re gonna bang it out.”
Oh yeah … this is a dynamite match up between two of the most exciting 155-pound fighters in the world. Can’t wait.
Stay tuned for more details.
To purchase tickets for the “mega-card” head over to StubHub.com or Ticketmaster.com right now.
Written by admin on April 25th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson and Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez and Strikeforce and Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson and MMA.
Not only were there fights on Friday night at Strikeforce, but there was also news. Jerry Millen, of all people, announced that Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez will defend his title against Josh “The Punk” Thomson on their Strikeforce 8 card on March 29th.
That’s a big fight right there, ladies and gentlemen.
Also, after Cung Le’s impressive domination of Sam Morgan, he challenged Frank Shamrock for his Strikeforce middleweight title. Shamrock accepted.
Don’t be surprised if this fight is added to the March card as well. With these two fights coming up and coming off of a solid show on Friday, Strikeforce is moving in the right direction.
Written by admin on November 17th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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San Jose-based fight promotion Strikeforce has announced the first official match for its upcoming show on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Josh “The Punk” Thomson (34-2) will square off against former IFL fighter Adam Lynn (11-7) in a clash of 155 lbs. fighters.
No other matches have officially been announced although Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth, and Daniel Puder are still being advertised for the card.
Written by admin on September 6th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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Former Pride lightweight title contender Gilbert Melendez will be returning to his roots when he fights for the Strikeforce promotion on September 29 in Beverly Hills, Calif. at the Playboy Mansion.
Yes, you read that right: the Playboy Mansion. MMA and an abundance of fake breasts is a brilliant combination. Scott Coker is a genius. There’s going to be a ton of celebs there and media requests from all over.
Melendez, who is undefeated, became a free agent not too long after Dream Stage Entertainment sold Pride to Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. He announced in June in an interview for ProElite.com that he was officially free to negotiate with other organizations. However, FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned that Melendez has not signed a new deal with Strikeforce, but will be fighting under the terms of an exisiting that has been signed since last April.
Regardless, it’s good news knowning that one of the most gifted lightweights in the world is going to start fighting again.
Strikeforce has also announced that Josh Thomson, Bobby Southworth, and Daniel Puder will be fighting on the 10-fight card.
I’ll have more details as they become available.
Written by admin on August 3rd, 2007 with comments disabled.
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PRIDE aside, their are a few fighters in the mixed martial arts world that I would like to see in the UFC. These fighters aren't prospects, these are guys that would make an immediate impact.
At one time Josh "The Punk" Thomson (11-2) (1-1) was known as one of the up and comers in the UFC. With victories over Gerald Strebendt and Hermes Franca, Thomson was on his way to UFC gold. One problem: the gold didn't exist.
After Jens Pulver left the UFC and BJ Penn left for the greener pastures of the 170lbs weight class the UFC putan end to the 155lbs division.
Still, Thomson fought top 155lbs contender Yves Edwards for lightweight supremacy. What followed was one of the most spectacular KOs in UFC History. Unfortunately for Thomson, he received, not delivered the spinning back kick.
After his loss to Edwards, Thomson was out of the UFC.
Since leaving the UFC, "The Punk" hasn't stopped fighting quality opponents. He's since defeated Nam Phan and Duane Ludwig in dominating fashion.
Thomson isn't just a great fighter either, he's got the charisma the UFC is looking for. Who else would get suspended by the CSAC for wearing a "Frank Glamrock is a bitch" t-shirt to a Strikeforce event?
With the UFC trying to establish the lightweight division why not bring in a fighter who's already at the top of his game?
HONARABLE MENTION: Chris Horodecki (10-0) has truly been amazing. Only 19 years old, he has beaten the best that the IFL has to offer. I would have mentioned him first, but he's more of a prospect, rather than a finished product.
---For now, the UFC lightweight division is full. Hermes Franca will be fighting for the title and Joe Stevenson and the winner of Penn/Pulver will be right behind them. Another obstacle may be the money. It's no secret STRIKEFORCE, and now Elite XC, is willing to pay big bucks for arguably the best lightweight on the market.
If you are interested in trading links or just want to contact me feel free to throw me a line: ufcfightblog@yahoo.com
Written by admin on June 11th, 2007 with comments disabled.
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