Gilbert Melendez Avenges Loss To Mitsuhiro Ishida To Retain Interim Strikeforce Strap

Interim Strikeforce lightweight champion “El Niño” Gilbert Melendez (16-2) TKO’d “Endless Fighter” Mitsuhiro Ishida (19-5-1) at 2:56 in the third round to retain his dubious title and avenge a 2007 UD loss in San Jose Saturday.

“I just had to be focused today,” Melendez stated after the W. “I’m focused, I’m motivated. I can’t guarantee I’ll win every fight, but I guarantee I’ll come out and perform for you.”

Next up is the title fight versus “Punk” Josh Thomson (15-2-1) that was originally scheduled for Saturday.

In the third round, Melendez dropped the Japanese wrestler with an uppercut as Ishida shot. Melendez pounced in furious punches; but, Ishida smothered the attack and rolled to his stomach. Melendez worked between a rear naked choke and strikes to Ishida’s head. The strikes eventually took effect and Melendez pounded out Ishida for the victory.

Melendez and Ishida had played paddy-cake for most of the first round. Ishida scored a hard-won single-leg-to-double-leg takedown against the fence; but, Melendez scrambled to his feet and returned the favor with a slam. Ishida wokred to his feet to end the round.

Melendez battered Ishida’s body in the second round, then went upstairs as Ishida shot for the takedown. Melendez squashed Ishida’s shot and opened a cut on Ishida’s head with endless left hooks. Back to their feet, Ishida swung a left high kick, but Melendez dumped him on his ass in defense.

The key stat of the fight was Ishida’s 1/7 takedown to shoot ratio, allowing Melendez to tee off in a deliberate, effective onslaught throughout the three rounds.