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24/11/09 - Thompson-Melendez rematch confirmed for Strikeforce December 19th
After twice being forced out of their highly-anticipated rematch due to injuries, Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson (16-2) is ready to defend his title against interim champion Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez (also 16-2) on Saturday, December 19th.
Thomson, who captured the lightweight championship by earning a five round, unanimous decision over Melendez in June 2008, has not fought since September of that year. Since then he has suffered repeated injuries to his left fibula.
After undergoing surgery in his left ankle earlier this year, Thomson sustained a break in the bone located above the original injury. He suffered yet another setback after the bone broke a second time. "Everything feels great now. Nothing is going to keep me out of this fight. I'm looking forward to getting back in there and going to work," he said today.
While Thomson was sidelined, the 27-year-old Melendez of Santa Ana, California remained busy in 2009, scoring a second round knockout on Brazil's Rodrigo Damm at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz in April and then avenging the first defeat of his career by punching his way to a third round (3:56) TKO of Mitsuhiro "The Endless Fighter" Ishida at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg in August.
"I've been training for this fight for a long time now and have been thinking about it ever since Josh beat me last year," said Melendez, a protégé of both Strikeforce middleweight boss Jake Shields and Muay Thai legend Jongsanan Fairtex. "I'll be getting the best Josh Thomson out there and he's going to get the best Gilbert Melendez so it's going to be a great fight for the fans."
The main event of the December 19th show will feature undefeated former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le (6-0) against Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith (16-6). Also in action will be Matt "The Law" Lindland (21-6), who will take on Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2) at middleweight.
Light heavyweight Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (5-0) and middleweight knockout artist "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (16-5) will each face opponents yet to be announced.
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