Strikeforce Champ Gil Melendez's New Contract. Sick Of Fans Asking Him Why He Is Scared To Fight In The UFC!

STRIKEFORCE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION GILBERT MELENDEZ SIGNS NEW
MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH STRIKEFORCE.

Melendez is a protégé of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Cesar Gracie and Muay Thai legend Jongsanan Fairtex so why would he be scared?  Fans need to understand that Zuffa, LLC which controls the UFC has exclusivity and non-competition clauses preventing their fighters from competiting outside the UFC.  In sharp contrast, Strikeforce, Dream, Sengoku, and M-1 Global have not been known to use these clauses. This is how Alistair Overeem and Fedor Emelianenko compete in different competitions.  Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has repeatedly discussed why he thinks this is advantageous to the sport.  It is simply a different business approach than Zuffa, LLC. Zuffa who in return for exclusivity pay out large performance bonuses and attract substantial sponsorship money for fighters acting as independent contractors for the UFC. Ford may have invented the automobile but it is no longer the sole dominant manufacturer.  MMA like the auto industry needs competition to thrive for fans, businesses, and mostly fighters.

NEW YORK (Feb. 7, 2011) – Two-time STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion (155 pounds), Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (18-2), has signed a new, multi-year agreement with the San Jose, Calif. based world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion.  Today he mentioned on MMAJunkie.com that he wished fans would not ask him if he is scared to fight in the UFC.

Melendez has further stated “STRIKEFORCE is my home, they’ve always been like family to me and I’m looking forward to continuing my career with them,” said the talented, exciting, 5-foot-9, 27-year-old protégé of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Cesar Gracie and Muay Thai legend Jongsanan Fairtex.  “There are a lot of great fights out there for me – lots of challenges. I can’t wait to get back into the cage, do my thing and show the world that I’m still at the top of my game.’’

Universally recognized as one of the top 155-pounders in the world, Melendez has won four in a row and five of six.

Melendez of San Francisco, by way of Santa Ana, Calif., last fought on April 17, 2010, retaining the STRIKEFORCE belt with a dominant, lopsided five-round decision over Japanese superstar Shinya Aoki in Nashville, Tenn., live on The CBS Television Network.


The impressive, one-sided triumph over the highly regarded Aoki came in Melendez’ first title defense since he regained the  STRIKEFORCE crown with a hard-earned, hard-fought unanimous five- round decision over the fighter that had dethroned him, Josh Thomson, on Dec. 19, 2009, at HP Pavilion San Jose, Calif.

Melendez, who turned pro on Oct. 18, 2002, and won his initial 13 starts, owns other notable victories over MMA standouts Aoki, Clay Guida<http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Clay-Guida-8184> andTatsuya Kawajiri<http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tatsuya-Kawajiri-1326>. Melendez captured the STRIKEFORCE interim lightweight belt with a second-round knockout (punches) over Rodrigo Damm on April 11, 2009, in San Jose.


“I’m healthy again and excited about fighting again real soon,’’ the personable, charismatic Melendez said. “It doesn’t matter who I fight. I just want to get back in there and rip.’’



 About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com<http://www.strikeforce.com/>) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie."  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.  In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network.  The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

Strikeforce Grand Prix Fan Event In New York On Tuesday, Feb. 8. Want To Film/Photograph This For Us?

Fedor Emelianenko, STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight World Champion Alistair Overeem, former heavyweight champions Antonio "Big Foot'' Silva and Andrei Arlovski, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Fabricio Werdum, hard-hitting Brett Rogers, talented Josh Barnett and Russian star Sergei Kharitonov will all be there.



Mixed Martial Arts comes to New York and New Jersey in a spectacular way next week beginning Tuesday with back-to-back major events in downtown Manhattan and culminating Saturday with a sensational fight card highlighted by the return of Fedor Emelianenko and the beginning of the eagerly anticipated STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix -- Heavyweight Tournament live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

We highly recommend you attend and get Fedor's Book Signed Like Us!

A capsule look at the week's events:
Tuesday, Feb. 8 -- Open-to-the-public/media Fan Experience at New York’s Roseland Ballroom (239 W. 52nd Street just West of Broadway, NYC) from 4-6 p.m. (Doors open at 3:30), hosted by Scott Ferrall with special guest deejay, DJ Clue. All eight tournament entrants -- Fedor, STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight World Champion Alistair Overeem, former heavyweight champions Antonio "Big Foot'' Silva and Andrei Arlovski, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Fabricio Werdum, hard-hitting Brett Rogers, talented Josh Barnett and Russian star Sergei Kharitonov will participate.



Fans in attendance on Tuesday win free tickets, get autographs, photos, watch fighters work out and much more.

Wednesday, Feb. 9 -- Final Media Press Conference (1 p.m.; Lunch at Noon) at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers – Pier 61 (Entrance is off W. 23rd St. and West Side Highway, NYC). All the fighters will be in attendance.



Friday, Feb. 11 – Official Weigh-In Open to Public at IZOD Center in E. Rutherford, NJ (Concourse Level) -- The Meadowlands Sports Complex, 50 State Route 120, East Rutherford. Doors open at 4 p.m.; fighters on the scale at 5 p.m. Media is encouraged to attend.

Fedor Emelianenko Meets Fans Tuesday To Kick Off Strikeforce Fight Week In NY/NJ

Funny How This Photographer Tries To Show Fedor How To Throw An Incorrect Punch Without Twisting and Locking Your Arm!


Saturday, Feb. 12 -- Fight Night at IZOD Center

- Media Parking in Lot 26;

- Credential distribution begins at 6 p.m.

- Press Entrance is the Box Office Entrance on south side of arena between gates A and D.

- Doors to the public open at 7 p.m. ET. First undercard bout is 7:30. HD Net will air undercard fights beginning at 8 p.m.

- SHOWTIME telecast goes at 10pm

Evangelista Cyborg vs. Nick Diaz For The Welterweight Strikeforce Title On Jan 29. Will It Be Chute Boxe Thai Boxing vs. Boxing War?

Evangelista Cyborg who trains at Chute Boxe in Brazil & Arena MMA in San Diego is training for his welterweight title fight with Nick Diaz (Gracie Jiu Jitsu) this Saturday night. Your predictions? How interested are you in this fight with a 10 rating being absolutely interested?  If Evangelista, wins, him and his wife Cris "Cyborg" Santos would be the first spouses to hold championship belts in mixed martial arts.

Would it be a striking battle of Muay Thai Kickboxing Chute Boxe style vs Boxing with an intense ground battle? Diaz did not use many leg strikes during his rematch with KJ Noons but had successful boxing strikes.  Noons also trained at Arena MMA for his rematch so a win would give the staff at Arena MMA some great joy.

Evangelista “Cyborg” Training Camp for Nick Diaz at The Arena MMA In San Diego

by Strikeforce | January 24, 2011

Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos explains his specialized techniques at his training camp for Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz! “Cyborg” also talks his gameplan for the fight. Video courtesy of Jeff Clark and Arena MMA.

Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, husband of Cris Cyborg, has a new lease on his fighting life, reborn in the STRIKEFORCE welterweight division. After years of fighting Vale Tudo and taking on Chute Boxe legends Jose “Pele” Landi-jons and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Santos expanded his fighting territory to include Japan and the UK in addition to taking fights in Brazil.

Veteran Evangelista”Cyborg” will take on the toughest challenge of his career as he faces Nick Diaz for the Strikeforce welterweight title, Jan 29, live on SHOWTIME!

UFC Fight For The Troops 2's Rani Yahya Also Trains At Arena MMA.
Rani Yahya, member of The Arena Team, as well as head No Gi Jiu Jitsu instructor at The Arena, defeated Mike Brown by Unanimous Decision Saturday in UFC Fight Night 23 on Jan. 22nd, 2011 in Kileen Texas. This was Yahya’s first fight in the UFC since it absorbed the WEC in late 2010. Yahya

Strikeforce Hosts AKA vs ATT! Mike Kyle Replaces Overeem To Fight Big Foot Silva

American Kickboxing Academy AKA fighter Mike Kyle has replaced an injured Valentijn Overeem with former EliteXC heavyweight champion Antonio "Big Foot" Silva at STRIKEFORCE: Henderson vs. Babalu 2.  STRIKEFORCE CEO Scort Coker confirmed Overeem notified him of his injury 2 days ago and sent x-rays of his elbow injury.  Valentijn is the older brother of STRIKEFORCE heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Mike "Mak'' Kyle (18-7) will replace the injured Valentijn Overeem and take on former heavyweight world champion Antonio "Big Foot'' Silva (14-2) of Coconut Creek, Fla., by way of Brazil, in one of the featured televised fights on STRIKEFORCE: Henderson vs. Babalu this Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Coker confirmed that AKA Trainer Javier Mendez said Kyle is ready to fight Silva. 

Kyle's biography on Strikeforce.com states:
NAME - MIKE KYLE
NICKNAME - MAK
FIGHTING OUT OF - AMERICAN KICKBOXING ACADEMY - SAN JOSE, CA
AGE - 29
WEIGHT - 219 LBS
HEIGHT - 6 FT 3 IN
MMA RECORD - 17-7-1

"Mike “Mak” Kyle of San Jose doesn’t mind admitting it. His consistent presence in church on Sunday mornings over the last four years coincides with the date Kyle would just as soon forget: May 5, 2006.  That’s when the STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight (205 pounds) Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter was disqualified from his fight against Brian Olsen at WEC 20 for attacking Olsen following the bell. After an 18-month suspension from the sport, redemption has been sweet for the 30-year-old Kyle, who has won four fights in a row and eight out of nine and is the last fighter to defeat superstar Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante."

The 6-foot-3, 30-year-old Kyle, of San Jose, Calif., has gone 5-0 with one No Contest since losing to Fedor conqueror, Fabricio Werdum, on Aug. 15, 2009. In his last start, Kyle scored a first-round TKO (punches) over Stephen Oliver on Nov. 5.

Since April 2008, Kyle is 8-1 with one NC. One of the talented nine-year pro's most significant triumphs came on a second-round TKO (punches) over current STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Champion Rafael "Feijao'' Cavalcante in June 2009.


In his last appearance for STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME, Kyle submitted (rear-naked choke) Ron "Abongo'' Humphrey during a STRIKEFORCE Challengers event last July 23.

NAME - ANTONIO SILVA
NICKNAME - BIGFOOT
FIGHTING OUT OF - AMERICAN TOP TEAM
AGE - 30
WEIGHT - 265 LBS
HEIGHT - 6 FT 4 IN
MMA RECORD - 14-2


A black belt in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.  The 6-foot-4, 31-year-old Silva has won seven of his last eight, including a decisive, lopsided decision over former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski in his most recent outing last May 15.

Silva's lone loss since December 2006 came when he was narrowly outpointed in a tight fight by fellow Brazilian, Fabricio Werdum, on Nov.7, 2009.  In 16 professional appearances, Silva has been finished only once.

Strikeforce's Henderson (With Wins Over Franklin & Bisping) vs. Sobral (Who Choked Out "Shogun" Rua)

MMA SUPERSTAR DAN HENDERSON TO APPEAR ON MMA LIVE ON ESPN2

WHO:            STRIKEFORCE Headliner & MMA Superstar Dan Henderson

WHERE:  ESPN2

WHEN:   Thursday, Nov. 25 (late night) at 1:30 a.m. ET / 10:30 p.m. PT

WHAT:   Interview on MMA LIVE tomorrow/Thursday on ESPN2

       Henderson will appear on MMA Live to discuss next Saturday’s STRIKEFORCE: Henderson vs. Babalu event on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In the main event of the stacked card on STRIKEFORCE’s return to Scottrade Center, Henderson (25-8) of Temecula, Calif., will face former STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight world champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (36-8) of Brazil in a rematch between world-class 205-pounders.

       A two-time U.S. Olympic wrestling team member (‘92, ‘96), Henderson is the only fighter in the sport's history to simultaneously hold two different titles in two different weight classes (welterweight and heavyweight) for a major fight promotion (PRIDE Fighting Championships).  A former UFC star and coach on The Ultimate Fighter reality series, Henderson is also one of the most decorated fighters in MMA history.

 

Loss	Jake Shields	Decision (Unanimous)	Strikeforce - Nashville	4/17/2010	5	5:00
Win	Michael Bisping	KO (Punch)	UFC 100 - Lesnar vs. Mir 2	7/11/2009	2	3:20
Win	Rich Franklin	Decision (Split)	UFC 93 - Franklin vs. Henderson	1/17/2009	3	5:00
Win	Rousimar Palhares	Decision (Unanimous)	UFC 88 - Breakthrough	9/6/2008	3	5:00
Loss	Anderson Silva	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	UFC 82 - Pride of a Champion	3/1/2008	2	4:52
Loss	Quinton Jackson	Decision (Unanimous)	UFC 75 - Champion vs. Champion	9/8/2007	5	5:00
Win	Wanderlei Silva	KO (Punches)	PRIDE 33 - Second Coming	2/24/2007	3	2:08
Win	Vitor Belfort	Decision (Unanimous)	PRIDE 32 - The Real Deal	10/21/2006	3	5:00
Loss	Kazuo Misaki	Decision (Unanimous)	PRIDE - Bushido 12	8/26/2006	2	5:00
Win	Kazuo Misaki	Decision (Unanimous)	PRIDE - Bushido 10	4/2/2006	2	5:00
Win	Murilo Bustamante	Decision (Split)	PRIDE - Shockwave 2005	12/31/2005	2	5:00
Win	Akihiro Gono	KO (Punch)	PRIDE - Bushido 9	9/25/2005	1	7:58
Win	Ryo Chonan	KO (Punch)	PRIDE - Bushido 9	9/25/2005	1	0:22
Loss	Antonio Rogerio Nogueira	Submission (Armbar)	PRIDE - Total Elimination 2005	4/23/2005	1	8:05
Win	Yuki Kondo	Decision (Split)	PRIDE - Shockwave 2004	12/31/2004	3	5:00
Win	Kazuhiro Nakamura	TKO (Shoulder Injury)	PRIDE 28 - High Octane	10/31/2004	1	1:15
Win	Murilo Bustamante	TKO (Punches)	PRIDE - Final Conflict 2003	11/9/2003	1	0:53
Win	Shungo Oyama	TKO (Punches)	PRIDE 25 - Body Blow	3/16/2003	1	3:28
Loss	Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira	Submission (Armbar)	PRIDE 24 - Cold Fury 3	12/23/2002	3	1:49
Loss	Ricardo Arona	Decision (Split)	PRIDE 20 - Armed and Ready	4/28/2002	3	5:00
Win	Murilo Rua	Decision (Split)	PRIDE 17 - Championship Chaos	11/3/2001	3	5:00
Win	Akira Shoji	TKO (Punches and Knees)	PRIDE 14 - Clash of the Titans	5/27/2001	3	3:18
Win	Renzo Gracie	KO (Punch)	PRIDE 13 - Collision Course	3/25/2001	1	1:40
Loss	Wanderlei Silva	Decision (Unanimous)	PRIDE 12 - Cold Fury	12/9/2000	3	5:00
Win	Renato Sobral	Decision (Majority)	Rings - King of Kings 1999 Final	2/26/2000	2	5:00
Win	Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira	Decision (Split)	Rings - King of Kings 1999 Final	2/26/2000	3	5:00
Win	Gilbert Yvel	Decision (Unanimous)	Rings - King of Kings 1999 Final	2/26/2000	2	5:00
Win	Hiromitsu Kanehara	Decision (Majority)	Rings - King of Kings 1999 Block A	10/28/1999	2	5:00
Win	Bakouri Gogitidze	Submission (Knee to the Ribs)	Rings - King of Kings 1999 Block A	10/28/1999	1	2:17
Win	Carlos Newton	Decision (Split)	UFC 17 - Redemption	5/15/1998	1	15:00
Win	Allan Goes	Decision (Unanimous)	UFC 17 - Redemption	5/15/1998	1	15:00
Win	Eric Smith	Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke)	Brazil Open - '97	6/15/1997	1	0:30
Win	Crezio de Souza	TKO (Punches)	Brazil Open - '97	6/15/1997	1	5:25

Sobral is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over knockout artist Robbie Lawler on June 16 at STRIKEFORCE: LIVE in Los Angeles, his first fight since losing the STRIKEFORCE title to Gegard Mousasi on Aug. 15, 2009.  Prior to the defeat, Sobral had reeled off five consecutive victories.  

See http://www.mma-core.com/gifs/_Gegard_Mousasi_KTFO_Renato_Babalu_Sobral_Strikefor?gid=10000819&tid=100

It should be noted that Sobral's victories include a win against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua by a guillotine choke at IFC - Global Domination on Sept. 6, 2003 in round 3. 

In other televised fights, former world champ “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler will face 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland in a matchup of 185-pound contenders; former world heavyweight champion Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva faces Valentijn “The Python’’ Overeem, the older brother of STRIKEFORCE heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem; and Paul “Semtex’’ Daley faces Scott “Hands Of Steel’ Smith in a battle of explosive welterweights.

HERSCHEL WALKER INJURED, OFF DEC. 4 STRIKEFORCE CARD IN ST. LOUIS NEW YORK (Nov. 24,  2010) –  Herschel Walker sustained a deep cut under his left eye that required multiple stitches while training Monday at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif., and will not be able to fight on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.   “I feel terrible about this,’’ said Walker, who was cut from a knee strike while training with AKA teammate and two-time United States Olympic wrestling team member Daniel Cormier. “I know things like this happen in all sports, but I had trained very hard and was excited to be returning to the cage again. I hope to fight again as soon as the cut heals.’’ The four televised fights on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast):  MMA superstar Dan Henderson (25-8) of Temecula, Calif., faces former STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight world champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral  (36-8) of Brazil; Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (14-2), of Coconut Creek, Fla., meets Valentijn “The Python’’ Overeem (28-23), of The Netherlands in a heavyweight encounter, Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) of England battles Scott “Hands Of Steel” Smith (17-7, 1 NC), of Elk Grove, Calif., at welterweight and ex-world champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (17-6, 1 NC), of Granite City, Ill., goes up against 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (22-7) of Oregon City, Ore., in a middleweight (185 pounds) scrap. An announcement about a possible replacement fight for the telecast will be made in the coming days, STRIKEFORCE said. Tickets are on sale at Scottrade Center, online at Ticketmaster.com and Strikeforce.com or by phone (800) 745-3000. Doors at Scottrade Center will open for the event at 6 p.m. CT.  The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the first televised main card fight will begin at 9 p.m. About STRIKEFORCE STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie."  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.  In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network.  The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.