Strikeforce Play-by-Play
Jun 27, 2008
Sherdog.com's Greg Savage reports from the HP Pavilion in San Jose,
Calif., with live play-by-play of Friday's Strikeforce card, which
is headlined by Gilbert
Melendez (Pictures) versus Josh Thomson (Pictures).
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
Live Results Here.
Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Round 1
Jacob scores with a trip takedown off a single attempt. Trivino transitions right into a text-book armbar and elicits the tapout for the submission win. The official time is 37 seconds of the opening round.
Travis Johnson vs. Jorge Interiano
Round 1
Fighters trading low kicks as the fight gets underway. Interiano pushing the pace backing up Johnson and stalking he around the cage. Johnson using excellent footwork to evade and looks to counter. Johnson lands a nice left hand lead. Interiano flurries at the round comes to a close. Interiano takes the first three-minute round on the Sherdog.com scorecard.
Round 2
Interiano is back to pushing the pace in the second frame. He backs Johnson up and it is unclear if he is knocked down or if he slipped. Interiano tries to take advantage of the situation but Johnson slips away. Blood is streaming down Johnson's face from a cut under his right eye. Interiano pounds away as Johnson continues his retreat. Johnson is battered and bloody as the second frame comes to a close. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for Interiano.
The fight has been called with Johnson unable to continue. The doctor calls the bout at 3:00 of round two giving Jorge Interiano his first victory in his professional debut.
Cyrillo Padhillo vs. Jesse Jones
Round 1
The fighters clinch to open the fight, Padhillo pushes Jones up against the cage looking for a takedown. ones fends off the attack briefly but Padhillo won't be denied and locks up the double-leg. Jones closes his guard and holds on. Padhillo tries to get to side-control but Jones uses the opening to stand up. Padhillo cracks him with a right hand and clinches again. The first stanza comes to a close with Padhillo grabbing a 10-9 advantage on the Sherdog card.
Round 2
Padhillo and Jones exchange leg kicks as action gets back underway in the second round. Jones closes his guard again. Padhillo knees to the tailbone. Referee Marcos Rosales has seen enough and stands the fighters back up. Padhillo taunts Jones by sticking his chin out but Jones can't seem to pull the trigger and the round comes to a close. Sherdog.com sees the second round 10-9 for Padhillo.
Round 3
Jones shoots in to begin the final round but he is easily rebuffed. Padhillo covers up as Jones bombs away. Jones lands a big right hand that crumples Padhillo to the mat. Padhillo never stops defending while Jones hammers away at his downed opponent. Padhillo eventually regains his wits and sweeps Jones. Due to a lack of action, Rosales stands the fighters back up. Padhillo scores a takedown and resumes kneeing Jones tailbone. The final horn sounds ending Jones spirted comeback attempt, though he took the final frame, Sherdog.com scores the bout 29-28 for Cyrillo Padhillo. The offical scores are 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 all for the winner Cyrillo Padhillo.
Brian Caraway (Pictures) vs. Alvin Cacdac
Round 1
Caraway rushes right n for a takedown and gets it. He smoothly moves to his opponent's back, where he locks in a rear-naked choke with both hooks. Cacdac defends well at first, but eventually taps gently once with his right hand. The official time is 1:39 of the first.
Jose Palacios (Pictures) vs. Bobby Stack
Round 1
Stack comes out swinging and missing wildly. Palacios ejects Stack's mouthpiece with a right hook counter. Stack drops levels for a single-leg but Palacios has none of it. Stack regroups and tries again, this time securing the takedown. From his opponent's guard, Stack lands a few punches before the three-minute frame closes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Palacios
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Palacios
Round 2
Stack gets a quick takedown into his opponent's butterfly guard against the fencing. Palacios goes to guard and tries a kimura that is easily defended. Palacios escapes an armbar attempt as he tried to sweep.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Stack
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Stack
Round 3
Stack gets another takedown. Palacios gives up the mount after going for a heel hook. From the dominant position, Stack throws left and rights while showing decent control. Palacios escapes but finds himself back on the bottom after a scramble.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Stack (29-28 for Bobby Stack)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Stack (29-28 for Bobby Stack)
All three official judges agree with scores of 29-28 for Bobby Stack.
Chris Cariaso (Pictures) vs. Anthony Figueroa (Pictures)
Round 1
Cariaso ducks under an early head kick then follows with a takedown. He moves to half-guard before clearing the legs and going to side-control and mount. Cariaso goes for a keylock from the mount and ends up losing position. After another takedown, Cariaso goes to side-control and knees the body. Figueroa gets to his feet before the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Cariaso
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Cariaso
Round 2
Cariaso easily gets another single-leg into half-guard. Figueroa uses good leg work to get back to guard. Cariaso advances to mount and works for a keylock. He gives it up to strike the head, which forces Figueroa to give up his back. Figueroa escapes once but taps once the arm is sunk under his chin for a second time. The official time is 4:34 of the second.
Jeremiah Metcalf (Pictures) vs. Raymond Daniels (Pictures)
Round 1
Metcalf ties up with Daniels at the sound of the bell. Metcalf trips him to the canvas and fights off a guillotine attempt from half-guard. Metcalf strikes the face with his left hand and takes mount. The referee looks closely as Metcalf fires away.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Metcalf
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 for Metcalf
Round 2
Metcalf blasts his opponent with a right hand and gets an easy takedown and quickly moves back to the mount. He gives up a side-choke to punish the head with strikes. Metcalf goes for a triangle for the top and transitions to Daniels' back. Daniels taps quickly to a rear-naked choke. 0:59 is the official time.
Elaina Maxwell (Pictures) vs. Miesha Tate (Pictures)
Round 1
The fighters trade high kicks but quickly go to the ground in the scuffle. Tate takes the top position and mount. She goes for an armbar as Maxwell tried to buck. She is caught in the hold but saved by the bell (three minute round).
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Round 2
Tate starts the round with a slow takedown but it is successful. Maxwell works a rubber guard but Tate defends. Tate passes and strikes down from the mount. Maxwell gets her legs around Tate's head and gets her to side-control. The round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Round 3
Tate works for a single-leg against the fencing. After an extended stalemate, the referee separates the fighters. Maxwell stuffs another single-leg attempt and briefly takes Tate's back. She sets up an armbar but time is running out. The horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Maxwell (29-28 Miesha Tate)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Maxwell (29-28 Miesha Tate)
All three official judges agree with scores of 29-28 for Miesha Tate.
The official attendance is announced as being 7,488.
Bobby Southworth (Pictures) vs. Anthony Ruiz (Pictures)
Round 1
Southworth misses with a one-two and gets a single-leg takedown into half-guard. Southworth ends up on his back after getting careless in side-control. Now back on their feet, Southworth scores his second takedown of the opening frame. Southworth goes for an armbar and an omaplata before switching to a triangle-choke. The round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Round 2
Southworth wills Ruiz to the canvas. After several lackluster minutes with Southworth on top, Ruiz sweeps and takes the top position. Southworth goes high with his hips in search of a triangle, but Ruiz has none of it. Not much action in the second frame.
Round 3
The crowd grows restless as Ruiz gets a takedown and does nothing with it. Southworth gets to his feet and trips Ruiz to the ground. The crowd boos the fighters. Ruiz sweeps and lands a few punches from the champion's guard. Southworth uses the fencing to get to his feet. Awful round, awful fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Round 4
The fans in attendance that haven't fell asleep yet saw the fighters tie up against the cage. A few observers that are still watching the bout shower the fighters with boos. In other action, Southworth scored a few takedowns and went for a kimura from his back.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Round 5
Talk amongst staff has switched gears to Ralph Gracie one-liners. Jordan Breen has abandoned his scoring post to cop some Pop Tarts. Southworth took Ruiz down twice and went for a kimura and an armbar. Thankfully, the fight ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth (50-45 Bobby Southworth)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth (50-45 Bobby Southworth)
The official judges see the bout 48-47, 49-46 and 50-45 for Bobby Southworth.
Billy Evangelista (Pictures) vs. Nam Phan (Pictures)
Round 1
Compact leather is exchanged in the center of the cage. Evangelista gets a takedown and stays patient. He postures up and unloads with a few powerful right hands. He gets busy with short left hands in the final moments of the round. Phan had no answer in the opening frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Evangelista
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Evangelista
Round 2
Nam Phan picks up the pace in the second round. With Evangelista's back against the fence, Nam Phan's punches find their target. A straight right to the body and a left hook to the jaw punctuate the exchange. Now in the center of the cage, Evangelista digs a hard right to the body. Phan answers with a jab that snaps his opponent's head back. Evangelista drops levels and shoots for a textbook single. Phan goes down but uses the cage to stand. With referee Herb Dean watching closely, Phan elbows the side of the head. A red stain appears on the head where the elbows connected.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Phan
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Phan
Round 3
Evangelista's shot is stuffed as the final round begins. The fighters trade knees to the body just before Phan moves of the fence. Evangelista lands a body shot and a left to the head. Evangelista secures a single leg into Phan's guard. Dean separates the fighters. Phan connects with two left hooks. Evangelista looks for a single but Phan defends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Phan (29-28 Nam Phan)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Phan (29-28 Nam Phan)
The official judges see the bout 29-28 (twice) for Evangelista and for 29-28 for Phan. Billy Evangelista takes the split-decision.
Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) vs. Josh Thomson (Pictures)
Round 1
Melendez fires a double jab to get the main event started. Thomson shows good footwork in circling away from Melendez's punches. Melendez shoots for a single and Thomson defends. Thomson knees his way of the fencing and surprises Melendez with a well-executed single of his own. Thomson knees the body from half-guard. Melendez gets to butterfly guard but he can't hold it. Thomson locks up the head and shoulder punches from half-guard. Melendez reverses the position and stands after failing to secure his opponent's back to the canvas. Thomson connects with a knee to the body and a right hand.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 2
Melendez lands a straight right to the body. Thomson gets busy with knees and punches that connect. The challenger continues to pour it on as the fighters trade an array of strikes. The champion lands but Thomson shakes Melendez with a knee as he shot in. A stiff outside low kick snaps at Melendez's right leg. An inside kick to the left follows. Thomson gets a single-leg takedown at the sound of the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 3
Thomson is straight up dominating the champion with crisp punches and knees. A stunned Melendez goes to his belly in search of a single. Thomson sprawls and circles to the left and right. Following a near slip, Thomson recovered to land a jab. Melendez shows the challenger that he is still in the fight as he moves his opponent away with a hard right hand. And another. Melendez has found his range but gives up a takedown before the round closes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 4
Right back to the jab goes Thomson. Melendez answers with three hard standing right elbows. Thomson retreats and cracks Melendez with a right kick to the liver. Melendez rushes in with haymakers. Thomson uses a front kick with both legs to keep his distance. Thomson easily gets a single-leg directly into side-control. He moves to Melendez's back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Melendez escapes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 5
Looking for a shutout, Thomson drags Melendez to the ground in the first minute of the fifth and final round. Melendez stands and moves forward but it seems he doesn't have enough gas in the tank for a rally. Thomson continues to use his front kick like a jab, keeping the relentless champion off of him. With a minute left in the fight, Thomson hit a switch before standing. He connects with a front kick to Melendez's face. Thomson should take this fight easily, five rounds to nil.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
The official judges see the bout 50-45 for the new Strikeforce lightweight champion, Josh Thomson.
Jesse Gillespie (Pictures) vs. Eric Lawson (Pictures)
Round 1
Lawson lands an opening kick and Gillespie signals to his glove. The referee intervenes to take a look, but the bout is quickly restarted. Gillespie moves in with a combo and Lawson takes him down. Lawson swiftly moves to side-control, then mount, and finishes the sequence by taking Gillespie's back. The rear-naked choke tapout comes with ease at 1:03.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
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Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Alexandre Trivino vs.
Eric Jacob (Pictures)
Round 1
Jacob scores with a trip takedown off a single attempt. Trivino transitions right into a text-book armbar and elicits the tapout for the submission win. The official time is 37 seconds of the opening round.
Travis Johnson vs. Jorge Interiano
Round 1
Fighters trading low kicks as the fight gets underway. Interiano pushing the pace backing up Johnson and stalking he around the cage. Johnson using excellent footwork to evade and looks to counter. Johnson lands a nice left hand lead. Interiano flurries at the round comes to a close. Interiano takes the first three-minute round on the Sherdog.com scorecard.
Round 2
Interiano is back to pushing the pace in the second frame. He backs Johnson up and it is unclear if he is knocked down or if he slipped. Interiano tries to take advantage of the situation but Johnson slips away. Blood is streaming down Johnson's face from a cut under his right eye. Interiano pounds away as Johnson continues his retreat. Johnson is battered and bloody as the second frame comes to a close. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for Interiano.
The fight has been called with Johnson unable to continue. The doctor calls the bout at 3:00 of round two giving Jorge Interiano his first victory in his professional debut.
Cyrillo Padhillo vs. Jesse Jones
Round 1
The fighters clinch to open the fight, Padhillo pushes Jones up against the cage looking for a takedown. ones fends off the attack briefly but Padhillo won't be denied and locks up the double-leg. Jones closes his guard and holds on. Padhillo tries to get to side-control but Jones uses the opening to stand up. Padhillo cracks him with a right hand and clinches again. The first stanza comes to a close with Padhillo grabbing a 10-9 advantage on the Sherdog card.
Round 2
Padhillo and Jones exchange leg kicks as action gets back underway in the second round. Jones closes his guard again. Padhillo knees to the tailbone. Referee Marcos Rosales has seen enough and stands the fighters back up. Padhillo taunts Jones by sticking his chin out but Jones can't seem to pull the trigger and the round comes to a close. Sherdog.com sees the second round 10-9 for Padhillo.
Round 3
Jones shoots in to begin the final round but he is easily rebuffed. Padhillo covers up as Jones bombs away. Jones lands a big right hand that crumples Padhillo to the mat. Padhillo never stops defending while Jones hammers away at his downed opponent. Padhillo eventually regains his wits and sweeps Jones. Due to a lack of action, Rosales stands the fighters back up. Padhillo scores a takedown and resumes kneeing Jones tailbone. The final horn sounds ending Jones spirted comeback attempt, though he took the final frame, Sherdog.com scores the bout 29-28 for Cyrillo Padhillo. The offical scores are 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 all for the winner Cyrillo Padhillo.
Brian Caraway (Pictures) vs. Alvin Cacdac
Round 1
Caraway rushes right n for a takedown and gets it. He smoothly moves to his opponent's back, where he locks in a rear-naked choke with both hooks. Cacdac defends well at first, but eventually taps gently once with his right hand. The official time is 1:39 of the first.
Jose Palacios (Pictures) vs. Bobby Stack
Round 1
Stack comes out swinging and missing wildly. Palacios ejects Stack's mouthpiece with a right hook counter. Stack drops levels for a single-leg but Palacios has none of it. Stack regroups and tries again, this time securing the takedown. From his opponent's guard, Stack lands a few punches before the three-minute frame closes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Palacios
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Palacios
Round 2
Stack gets a quick takedown into his opponent's butterfly guard against the fencing. Palacios goes to guard and tries a kimura that is easily defended. Palacios escapes an armbar attempt as he tried to sweep.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Stack
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Stack
Round 3
Stack gets another takedown. Palacios gives up the mount after going for a heel hook. From the dominant position, Stack throws left and rights while showing decent control. Palacios escapes but finds himself back on the bottom after a scramble.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Stack (29-28 for Bobby Stack)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Stack (29-28 for Bobby Stack)
All three official judges agree with scores of 29-28 for Bobby Stack.
Chris Cariaso (Pictures) vs. Anthony Figueroa (Pictures)
Round 1
Cariaso ducks under an early head kick then follows with a takedown. He moves to half-guard before clearing the legs and going to side-control and mount. Cariaso goes for a keylock from the mount and ends up losing position. After another takedown, Cariaso goes to side-control and knees the body. Figueroa gets to his feet before the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Cariaso
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Cariaso
Round 2
Cariaso easily gets another single-leg into half-guard. Figueroa uses good leg work to get back to guard. Cariaso advances to mount and works for a keylock. He gives it up to strike the head, which forces Figueroa to give up his back. Figueroa escapes once but taps once the arm is sunk under his chin for a second time. The official time is 4:34 of the second.
Jeremiah Metcalf (Pictures) vs. Raymond Daniels (Pictures)
Round 1
Metcalf ties up with Daniels at the sound of the bell. Metcalf trips him to the canvas and fights off a guillotine attempt from half-guard. Metcalf strikes the face with his left hand and takes mount. The referee looks closely as Metcalf fires away.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Metcalf
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 for Metcalf
Round 2
Metcalf blasts his opponent with a right hand and gets an easy takedown and quickly moves back to the mount. He gives up a side-choke to punish the head with strikes. Metcalf goes for a triangle for the top and transitions to Daniels' back. Daniels taps quickly to a rear-naked choke. 0:59 is the official time.
Elaina Maxwell (Pictures) vs. Miesha Tate (Pictures)
Round 1
The fighters trade high kicks but quickly go to the ground in the scuffle. Tate takes the top position and mount. She goes for an armbar as Maxwell tried to buck. She is caught in the hold but saved by the bell (three minute round).
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Round 2
Tate starts the round with a slow takedown but it is successful. Maxwell works a rubber guard but Tate defends. Tate passes and strikes down from the mount. Maxwell gets her legs around Tate's head and gets her to side-control. The round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Tate
Round 3
Tate works for a single-leg against the fencing. After an extended stalemate, the referee separates the fighters. Maxwell stuffs another single-leg attempt and briefly takes Tate's back. She sets up an armbar but time is running out. The horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Maxwell (29-28 Miesha Tate)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Maxwell (29-28 Miesha Tate)
All three official judges agree with scores of 29-28 for Miesha Tate.
The official attendance is announced as being 7,488.
Bobby Southworth (Pictures) vs. Anthony Ruiz (Pictures)
Round 1
Southworth misses with a one-two and gets a single-leg takedown into half-guard. Southworth ends up on his back after getting careless in side-control. Now back on their feet, Southworth scores his second takedown of the opening frame. Southworth goes for an armbar and an omaplata before switching to a triangle-choke. The round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Round 2
Southworth wills Ruiz to the canvas. After several lackluster minutes with Southworth on top, Ruiz sweeps and takes the top position. Southworth goes high with his hips in search of a triangle, but Ruiz has none of it. Not much action in the second frame.
Round 3
The crowd grows restless as Ruiz gets a takedown and does nothing with it. Southworth gets to his feet and trips Ruiz to the ground. The crowd boos the fighters. Ruiz sweeps and lands a few punches from the champion's guard. Southworth uses the fencing to get to his feet. Awful round, awful fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Round 4
The fans in attendance that haven't fell asleep yet saw the fighters tie up against the cage. A few observers that are still watching the bout shower the fighters with boos. In other action, Southworth scored a few takedowns and went for a kimura from his back.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth
Round 5
Talk amongst staff has switched gears to Ralph Gracie one-liners. Jordan Breen has abandoned his scoring post to cop some Pop Tarts. Southworth took Ruiz down twice and went for a kimura and an armbar. Thankfully, the fight ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Southworth (50-45 Bobby Southworth)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Southworth (50-45 Bobby Southworth)
The official judges see the bout 48-47, 49-46 and 50-45 for Bobby Southworth.
Billy Evangelista (Pictures) vs. Nam Phan (Pictures)
Round 1
Compact leather is exchanged in the center of the cage. Evangelista gets a takedown and stays patient. He postures up and unloads with a few powerful right hands. He gets busy with short left hands in the final moments of the round. Phan had no answer in the opening frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Evangelista
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Evangelista
Round 2
Nam Phan picks up the pace in the second round. With Evangelista's back against the fence, Nam Phan's punches find their target. A straight right to the body and a left hook to the jaw punctuate the exchange. Now in the center of the cage, Evangelista digs a hard right to the body. Phan answers with a jab that snaps his opponent's head back. Evangelista drops levels and shoots for a textbook single. Phan goes down but uses the cage to stand. With referee Herb Dean watching closely, Phan elbows the side of the head. A red stain appears on the head where the elbows connected.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Phan
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Phan
Round 3
Evangelista's shot is stuffed as the final round begins. The fighters trade knees to the body just before Phan moves of the fence. Evangelista lands a body shot and a left to the head. Evangelista secures a single leg into Phan's guard. Dean separates the fighters. Phan connects with two left hooks. Evangelista looks for a single but Phan defends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Phan (29-28 Nam Phan)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Phan (29-28 Nam Phan)
The official judges see the bout 29-28 (twice) for Evangelista and for 29-28 for Phan. Billy Evangelista takes the split-decision.
Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) vs. Josh Thomson (Pictures)
Round 1
Melendez fires a double jab to get the main event started. Thomson shows good footwork in circling away from Melendez's punches. Melendez shoots for a single and Thomson defends. Thomson knees his way of the fencing and surprises Melendez with a well-executed single of his own. Thomson knees the body from half-guard. Melendez gets to butterfly guard but he can't hold it. Thomson locks up the head and shoulder punches from half-guard. Melendez reverses the position and stands after failing to secure his opponent's back to the canvas. Thomson connects with a knee to the body and a right hand.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 2
Melendez lands a straight right to the body. Thomson gets busy with knees and punches that connect. The challenger continues to pour it on as the fighters trade an array of strikes. The champion lands but Thomson shakes Melendez with a knee as he shot in. A stiff outside low kick snaps at Melendez's right leg. An inside kick to the left follows. Thomson gets a single-leg takedown at the sound of the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 3
Thomson is straight up dominating the champion with crisp punches and knees. A stunned Melendez goes to his belly in search of a single. Thomson sprawls and circles to the left and right. Following a near slip, Thomson recovered to land a jab. Melendez shows the challenger that he is still in the fight as he moves his opponent away with a hard right hand. And another. Melendez has found his range but gives up a takedown before the round closes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 4
Right back to the jab goes Thomson. Melendez answers with three hard standing right elbows. Thomson retreats and cracks Melendez with a right kick to the liver. Melendez rushes in with haymakers. Thomson uses a front kick with both legs to keep his distance. Thomson easily gets a single-leg directly into side-control. He moves to Melendez's back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Melendez escapes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Round 5
Looking for a shutout, Thomson drags Melendez to the ground in the first minute of the fifth and final round. Melendez stands and moves forward but it seems he doesn't have enough gas in the tank for a rally. Thomson continues to use his front kick like a jab, keeping the relentless champion off of him. With a minute left in the fight, Thomson hit a switch before standing. He connects with a front kick to Melendez's face. Thomson should take this fight easily, five rounds to nil.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 for Thomson
The official judges see the bout 50-45 for the new Strikeforce lightweight champion, Josh Thomson.
Jesse Gillespie (Pictures) vs. Eric Lawson (Pictures)
Round 1
Lawson lands an opening kick and Gillespie signals to his glove. The referee intervenes to take a look, but the bout is quickly restarted. Gillespie moves in with a combo and Lawson takes him down. Lawson swiftly moves to side-control, then mount, and finishes the sequence by taking Gillespie's back. The rear-naked choke tapout comes with ease at 1:03.
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