Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal – Main Card Preview & Event Coverage
By Justin Bolduc
*Click here for Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal Weigh-In Results*
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This weekend Strikeforce returns with one of its strongest cards of the year. In the main event Gilbert Melendez defends his lightweight title against Jorge Masvidal, while Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos defends her women’s featherweight title against Hiroki Yamanaka in the co-main event.
Also appearing on the main card is a light heavyweight bout between former Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi and fast-rising prospect Ovince St. Preux and a lightweight bout between K.J. Noons and Billy Evangelista.
Gilbert Melendez (19-2) vs. Jorge Masvidal (22-6)
Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Gilbert Melendez (9-1 Strikeforce) has earned the right to be considered the top lightweight in the world. He is without a doubt the top lightweight outside of the UFC, and is one of the most anticipated future signings since Zuffa purchased the promotion.
After losing his Strikeforce lightweight title to Josh Thomson, Melendez knocked out Rodrigo Damm before avenging the only other loss of his career by stopping Mitsuhiro Ishida. He then dominated Thomson over five rounds to reclaim the title in a rematch.
In his first title defense since, Melendez dominated Shinya Aoki over five rounds, nearly finishing the Japanese star. Most recently he won a rematch with Tatsuya Kawajiri, stopping the former PRIDE star inside the first round.
Melendez trains under Cesar Gracie with the powerhouse team featuring Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, and Jake Shields. Melendez holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and owns eleven career wins by TKO and one by submission.
Jorge Masvidal (3-0 Strikeforce) is primed as one of Melendez’ last challenges outside of the UFC. Masvidal is an experienced veteran who has fought in Strikeforce, Bellator, Shark Fights, Bodog Fight, and Sengoku.
One problem with Masvidal has been consistency. In more recent years Masvidal knocked out Satoru Kitaoka in his final Sengoku appearance before then losing a split decision against Luis Palomino. After barely scratching out a split decision against Naoyuki Kotani, Masvidal was then out-pointed by Paul Daley.
In his return to Strikeforce, Masvidal handed Billy Evangelista the sole loss of his career in a unanimous decision. Most recently Masvidal won a unanimous decision against K.J. Noons at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum. Masvidal trains with American Top Team and is a one-time AFC welterweight champion. In his international experience he has finished ten opponents by knockout and one by submission.
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (10-1) vs. Hiroko Yamanaka (12-1)
Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Championship
In the co-main event Strikeforce women’s featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (4-0 Strikeforce) defends her title against Japan’s Hiroko Yamanaka (Strikeforce debut). Santos enters her title defense on a ten-fight win streak since losing her professional debut. During her reign of terror she has eight wins by TKO, including stoppages over Gina Carano, Marloes Coenen, Hitomi Akano, and Shayna Baszler. Yamanaka enters her Strikeforce debut on an eight-fight win streak. During her streak she has earned two TKO’s and two submissions and a notable win over Hitomi Akano.
Gegard Mousasi (31-3-2) vs. Ovince St. Preux (11-4)
PDG’s Match-Up of the Night
In PDG’s Match-Up of the Night former Strikeforce and Dream champion Gegard Mousasi (2-1-1 Strikeforce) faces hot prospect Ovince St. Preux (5-0 Strikeforce). Mousasi enters Saturday’s bout coming off a win over Hiroshi Izumi in Japan. In his last Strikeforce appearance he fought to a majority draw against Keith Jardine. Mousasi owns notable career wins over Renato “Babalu” Sobral, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Mark Hunt, Melvin Manhoef, Denis Kang, and Hector Lombard. St. Preux enters the biggest fight of his career on an eight-fight win streak. During his run he has earned four TKO’s and one submission due to strikes, with wins over Benji Radach, Jason Day, Antwain Britt, and Ron Humphrey.
K.J. Noons (10-4) vs. Billy Evangelista (11-1, 1 NC)
PDG’s Match-Up of the Night II
In another selection for PDG’s Match-Up of the Night K.J. Noons (2-2 Strikeforce) takes on once-beaten Billy Evangelista (7-1, 1 NC Strikeforce) to kick off the main card of the event. Noons enters Saturday’s fight on a two-fight skid in a rematch with Nick Diaz and most recently a decision against Jorge Masvidal. Prior to the losses Noons was on a six-fight win streak over Edson Berto, Nick Diaz, Yves Edwards, Andre “Dida” Amade, Conor Heun, and Jorge Gurgel. Evangelista enters the bout coming off the only loss of his career against Jorge Masvidal. Prior he had been on a two-fight win streak after a no contest. During his career he has earned victories over Nam Phan, Ryan Healy, Marlon Sims, Jorge Gurgel, and Harris Sarmiento.
Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal Fight Card
Main Card:
Gilbert Melendez vs. Jorge Masvidal (Strikeforce Lightweight Championship)
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Hiroko Yamanaka (Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Championship)
Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St. Preux (PDG’s Match-Up of the Night)
K.J. Noons vs. Billy Evangelista (PDG’s Match-Up of the Night II)
Preliminary Card:
Roger Bowling vs. Jerron Peoples
Justin Wilcox vs. Caros Fodor
Devin Cole vs. Gabriel Salinas-Jones
Fernando Gonzalez vs. Eddie Mendez
Herman Terrado vs. Chris Brown
