Strikeforce on NBC 5/11 Re-Cap

Strikeforce on NBC 5/11 Re-Cap

Last week we saw Josh “The Punk” Thomson featured for the second consecutive week.” This week it’s Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion! It will be Gilbert Melendez versus Tetsuji Kato.

Gilbert Melendez (12-0) vs. Tetsuji Kato (18-7)- 9/29/07

R1- Melendez goes for a take down early but is denied. Melendez lands a right hand and then another as Kato goes down and Melendez goes in for the kill but Kato takes the guard position to protect himself. Melendez is landing some good shots and hammer fists from the top. They get back to their feet but no real action besides some jabs. Melendez controlled this round as Kato got in very little offense.

R2- They stand up at the beginning of the round with both guys looking for an opening. They exchange some nice shots about 2 minutes in. Gilbert landing a couple of jabs. Kato swinging a lot but not hitting much. Kato goes for a take down but is denied. Kato is cut and loses his mouthpiece so there is a brief stoppage. This round was not as clear cut for Melendez as he didn’t seem to do as much damage but he was clearly the winner of this round.

R3- My feed is interrupted by a weather alert (booo!), so I miss round three and when they come back they are in the middle of the ring for the judges decision. Melendez wins 30-27 for all three judges. Melendez looked good here just seemed to be lacking that killer instinct and knockout power.

Post-Match Frank Shamrock interviews Melendez and they talk about his hand that he seemed to be favoring throughout the fight.

Winner: Gilbert Melendez by Decision (Unanimous)