Strikeforce: Gilbert Melendez Overpowers Josh Thomson to Regain Lightweight Title

By: Fighters.com Staff Posted On: December 20, 2009 at 12:16am

“El Niño” Gilbert Melendez (17-2) regained the Strikeforce lightweight championship in a five-round decision over “Punk” Josh Thomson (15-3-1) in San Jose Saturday night.

“I just wanted to perform better than I did the last time,” said Melendez said after the victory.

Melendez was on the other end of a UD in San Jose in June 2008 when Thomson took the title from Melendez.

Melendez added, “Josh hands down is the toughest guy I’ve ever fought, the toughest match-up for me, maybe the toughest match I’ll ever have. It feels great right now though.”

Thomson admitted, “I just wanted to make sure this is 100% clear that the reason why Gilbert beat me tonight is he was the better fighter tonight, he was the bigger man.”