Last Saturday, arguably strikeforce's most successful event went off without a hitch, as two of the organization's more dominant champions successfully defended their titles before an electric crowd in San Diego, California. Nick Diaz and Gilbert Melendez, teammates under the infamous Cesar Gracie brand, were both successful in their respective title bouts, with Diaz laying claim as one of the best and most dangerous welterweight fighters in the world with his first-round TKO over UFC castout Paul Daley, and Gilbert with his highly anticipated rematch with Japanese sensation Tatusya Kawajiri, which resulted in a one-sided TKO win for "El Nino". While the two men were perhaps among the nights most impressive winners, they were also among the top-earners for the entire event. ...

While the victory wasn't necessarily the cleanest "knockout" finish, bare with me. It's a known fact that Gilbert Melendez is, at the very least, one of the top-3 best lightweight fighters in the world. Though if you asked "El Nino" he would try to convince you otherwise. With his time and dedication spent in the world of mixed martial arts, not too many people can rival the skill or experience that Melendez is acquired over the years. And while his original meeting with "The Crusher" Tatsuya Kawajiri has in the past been panned as a bad decision resulting in the favor of the Cesar Gracie product, there is no denying now his place as one of the best, if not the best, lightweight fighter in the world after his own "crushing" of the battle tested Japanese fighter. ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to another new edition of “Best of the Rest”! I really enjoy taking the time to give my detailed thoughts on a show after watching it, but after the serious discussion and debate I’ll raise in topics like “Top 5 Best Moments” and “Best Performance of the Night”, I think it’d be nice to have a tongue-in-cheek topic where I give out some other “awards”. It’s all in good fun, so don’t take any of it too seriously. So let’s dive right into this latest edition, now featuring Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley”. ...

The first Strikeforce “Arena Series” show held under the Zuffa banner took place tonight, and “Diaz vs. Daley” is now in the history books. It was a night of fights that started big and got progressively bigger. Two championships were on the line tonight, and several amazing finishes occurred throughout the broadcast . Here are the full results as well as some early commentary on Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley”. ...

We’re now only a couple of days away from Strikeforce’s “Diaz vs. Daley” event. It’s a live, free night of fights on the Showtime network that I’ve spent a lot of time talking about. And for good reason: it’s a stacked “Arena Series” show with two dominant champions taking on two very worthy challengers. But now it’s time for my final say: this is another “Finally Final Thoughts”, covering my last, assorted thoughts and feelings before “Diaz vs. Daley”. Let’s get to it. ...

On April 9, 2011, Strikeforce will hold its highly-anticipated “Diaz vs. Daley” event, featuring Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz defending the belt against one of the hardest strikers anyone at 170 could possibly face: KO machine Paul Daley. Also, Gilbert Melendez returns after an extended hiatus to defend his Strikeforce Lightweight Championship against Keith Jardine. Still, some fans may be asking themselves: what are the best reasons to check out this card? Here’s my answer to just that: 5 reasons to watch Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley”. ...

We’re now only a few days away from Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley. In the main event, Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz looks to successfully defend his belt for the third time (which would make him the most dominant champion in Strikeforce history) by beating challenger and notorious bad-boy Paul Daley. The co-main event will also be an interesting match-up, as Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez returns after almost a year off to make the second defense of his championship, this time against Tatsuya Kawajiri. As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), now featuring Strikeforce: "Diaz vs. Daley". ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to the latest edition of “Crash Course”. “Crash Course” is a series of articles designed to give readers a quick rundown on all the relevant information they need to know heading into an upcoming major MMA event. Everything from why you should watch, what you should expect in the co-main and main event, and even where and when you can find it on TV is all covered in detail. So let’s get right to it with today’s edition, featuring Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley” ...

While his participation in an upcoming title fight with strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez had been in question, Japan's Tatsuya Kawajiri will continue to be a fixture on the upcoming April 9 event. Since Japan has been ravaged with many natural disasters, including flash floods, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, and after shocks that have taken the lives of upwards of 10,000 people, several prominent mixed martial arts have pulled out from their respective bouts in upcoming events, most notably Yoshihiro Akiyama who was originally scheduled to face Nate Marquardt this past weekend. The Japanese Judoka pulled out of his middleweight bout with the Greg Jackson product due to the torrential conditions that have plagued Japan, and many have since sympathized with him and the many others that have been effected by this tragedy. Kawajiri, however, is not looking for sympathy and will continue to drive forward in order to become possibly the first fighter from Japan to win a title in a major U.S. promotion. ...

One fight back in the promotion, and Jorge Masvidal has now possibly found himself right back into the title hunt at 155-pounds. The American Top Team product was last inside the cage when he bested then undefeated lightweight prospect Billy Evangelista with a dominating decision win just a few weeks ago. The Cuban fighter has stated that he would like to fight on a consistent, rapid basis and he might now get his wish. Originally, Jorge was expected to possibly clash with KJ Noons in Texas this April, however with the recent tragedies in Japan, Masvidal could next fill in for Tatsuya Kawajiri in order to face reigning lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. ...

Although strikeforce fans will have to wait longer than originally expected for the second half of the opening round of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix to get under way, Strikeforce has still plenty left in their arsenal besides big names like Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum. In fact, Strikeforce recently confirmed four matches for their upcoming April 9 event, with each one sounding absolutely awesome on paper. Here’s the latest on Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley”. ...

An anticipated rematch in the lightweight division, could finally be coming to ahead. Though both men have spent a majority of their careers on opposite sides of the globe, both are touted as some of the best lightweight fighters in their division. Current Strikeforce titleholder Gilbert Melendez has been rumored for sometime to be taking on former rival Tatsuay Kawajiri in the foreseeable future, though nothing has been certain as of yet. However recently, the bout's likelihood has become more and more relevant, as their appears to be a date and location anticipated for said lightweight match-up. ...

That question is posed honestly and not cynically, by the way. It’s recently been confirmed that Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez has extended his contract with the promotion, to the point where he should be calling Strikeforce home for the next several years. But what’s left for him to do? I think it’s a valid point to state that the UFC has the better Lightweight division, but even so, I think Melendez has some interesting bouts ahead of him in Strikeforce. So, in order to flesh out why I think Melendez made the right decision, here’s a “Top 5” list of five things “El Nino” has left to do in Strikeforce, in no particular order. ...

Looks like the San Jose based promotion will be gearing up for a rematch in pitting current Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez for his second title defense as he may be taking on former rival Tatsuya Kawajiri for the 155-pound title. The two standouts originally met a little over four years ago under the now defunct PRIDE banner, where Melendez scored a pretty close decision victory over the Japanese superstar. Since their encounter, both men have found tons of success in their division, with Kawajiri clearing house in Japan while Melendez took care of all comers that Strikeforce had to offer him here in the States. ...

Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson has seen the ups and downs of his career. Now, on the cusp of another crack at the title he lost against rival Gilbert Melendez since going two-straight inside the Strikeforce cage, Thomson will risk it all on a whim when he faces perennial top-10 fighter Tatsuya Kawajiri. Though the fight is a big one in of itself, Kawajiri was not originally in the cards for Thomson, as Josh's original opponent Shinya Aoki was pulled from the match for a more popular fight with K-1 kickboxer, Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima in a special-rules match up at this year's Dynamite!! show. ...

Bellator lightweight champion is a force to reckoned with in his weight class. After an illuminated run in Japan, where Alvarez has picked up some of the biggest wins of his career, which includes victories over the likes of former DREAM lightweight champion Joachim Hansen, former Shooto champion Tatsuya Kawajiri and current DEEP lightweight champion Katsunori Kikuno. Not impressed? En route to Bellator gold, he was able to submit all three of his opponents, including the heralded Toby Imada, a Jiu-Jitsu whiz who became an internet sensation with his inverted triangle choke over lightweight notable Jorge Masvidal, which garnered Imada the "Submission of the Year" on several publications, including a trophy award at the 2009 World MMA Awards, hosted by Fighters Only. So when Alvarez, 26, heard word that Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has called him out on numerous occasions, the Philly fighter didn't take too kindly to it. ...

After years in the fight game, becoming one of the corner stones for Japanese MMA, mixed martial arts promotion Deep will hold its 50th event on October 24, celebrating it's 10 year anniversary at the Tokyo JCB Hall, in Tokyo, Japan. A bevy of some of the most notable fighters will grace the card, including DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki, who will be returning to Deep after a 6 year absence from the promotion that gave him his start as a professional mixed martial artist. ...

The fight everyone wanted to see, is back in business. Eddie Alvarez, the reigning and defending Bellator lightweight champion and DREAM veteran, will be facing UFC veteran and now-internet-sensation, Roger Huerta at Bellator 33. ...

DREAM lightweight champion “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (24-5) forced "Crusher" Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-6-2) to tap out in an Achilles lock at 1:53 of their DREAM.15 title fight in Saitama Saturday. Aoki returned from a drubbing by Strikeforce champion “El Niño” Gilbert Melendez (18-2) at Strikeforce in Nashville April 17 to defeat his longtime Japanese rival. ...

Fighters.com's fifth-ranked lightweight "Bully" Gray Maynard (8-0) and Nate Diaz (10-5) will rematch an The Ultimate Fighter 5 exhbition match tonight at UFC Fight Night 20 in Fairfax, Virginia. ...

As the new year is fast approaching I sat pondering how far this sport of ours had come since it's beginning. Then the future of the sport started to permeate my thoughts. Where will we see it go in the coming year? Will it fade a little bit or will we see it continue to forge ahead and make it's way into the upper echelons of the sporting world? I am a mma radio host as well as a journalist but first and foremost I am a mixed martial arts fan and I have three wishes for the coming year. ...

Fighters.com's second-ranked lightweight and DREAM champion “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (14-3) has been matched up versus Sengoku champ Mizuto Hirota (9-3) at Fields Dynamite!! 2009 in Tokyo on New Year's Eve, the promotion announced Tuesday. ...

UFC lightweight title contender “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-2) debuted at tenth in Fighters.com's Lightweight Rankings in November due mostly to former top tenner Katsunori Kikuno's (5-1-1) stoppage loss to third-ranked Eddie Alvarez (16-2) at DREAM.12 in Osaka October 25. ...

Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" BJ Penn (14-5-1) will defend his titles from unranked, but popular The Ultimate Fighter 1 champion “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-2) at UFC 107 at the FedExForum in Memphis December 12, the UFC officially announced Tuesday. ...

Fighters on DREAM.11's card weighed-in in Yokohama Monday in advance of Tuesday night's fight card.  All fighters made the weight limits. ...

Lightweight "Crusher" Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2) and "Barracuda" Melchor Manibusan (1-1) will matchup at DREAM 11 in Yokohama October 6, DREAM announced Friday. Also, "Beast" Bob Sapp (10-5-1) was officially announced as the replacement for injured “Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1) versus "African Assassin" Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (6-4) in the Super Hulk tournament and “JZ” Gesias Cavalcante (12-2-1) was officially withdrawn due to injury from his matchup versus Daisuke Nakamura (18-9).  Both moves had been expected. ...

DREAM Middleweight Champion “Young Vagabond” Gegard Mousasi (7-0) and lightweight “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (23-5-2) are scheduled for K-1 kickboxing bouts at Dynamite!! 31 December in Saitama, Japan. Mousasi will face four-time K-1 Japan GP champion Musashi, while Kawajiri will face former K-1 World MAX Japan finalist Kozo Takeda. Mousasi won DREAM’s Middleweight GP in September, knocking out eighth-ranked middleweight “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (8-2) with an upkick at 2:15 of round one of the final. Kawajiri last fought Fighters.com’s third-ranked lightweight Eddie Alvarez (13-1) at DREAM.5 in July, losing via first-round TKO. ...

August brought the crowning of Fighters.com's new Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (13-4-1) and the top ten debuts of fourth-ranked "Hellboy" Joachim Hansen (19-7-1), sixth-ranked Eiji Mitsuoka (13-5-2), and eighth-ranked Kotetsu Boku (13-5-1). "Hellboy" shocked Osaka 21 July by TKOing former Fighters.com Lightweight Champion "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (17-3) in the first round of the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix final. Aoki spirals down eight wrungs to ninth on the loss, taking vanquished rival tenth-ranked "JZ" Gesias Calvancante (14-2-1) with him. Penn takes the Championship from the second rank, but is torn between moving to welterweight to fight Fighters.com Welterweight Champion "Rush" Georges St. Pierre (17-2) or defending his Fighters.com and UFC titles from seventh-ranked, top UFC contender "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (10-3). In Minneapolis 9 August, Florian cleared-up the UFC's lightweight picture with a dominant UD over "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-2-1). ...

In a stunning cyclone of events, DREAM Lightweight Tournament reserve fighter “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (19-7-1) captured the DREAM Lightweight Championship in Osaka Sunday night. Hansen was originally eliminated from the tournament at DREAM.3 11 May after dropping a decision to Eddie Alvarez (15-1), but was drafted into the final after slapping an armbar on “Black Mamba” Kultar Gill (10-8) at 2:33 of round one in the tournament's reserve fight Sunday. Ironically, Hansen replaced Alvarez after Alvarez knocked out “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (22-5-2) at 7:35 of round one in a thrilling slugfest.  A right hook, right uppercut combo floored "Crusher" and Alvarez pounded the Japanese fighter out, but sustained a cut over his right eye in the action that would prevent him from fighting for the title. Tournament favorite “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-3) contorted himself into the final versus Hansen in a unanimous decision over “Uno Shoten” Caol Uno (25-11-4), throwing everything in the "Judan" book at Uno: armbar, triangle choke, heel hook, rear naked choke, gogoplata, etc.  Though Aoki wasn't able to stop Uno, he dominated for the decision. The final was set: Aoki v Hansen; and, in most people's minds, already settled in favor of the Japanese favorite. ...

So thorough was second-ranked UFC Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn's (13-4-1) domination of fifth-ranked "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (31-3-1) 24 May in Las Vegas that Penn leaps two spots in Fighters.com's June Lightweight Rankings to place as the top contender to Fighters.com's Lightweight Champion "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (15-2). Fighters.com never questioned Penn's talent, just his recent body of work at 155-pounds. Though Penn fought unquestionably tougher competition last month, "Tobikan Judan" stole the show in the division by pulling a gogoplata from the mount out of his hat to tap Katsuhiko Nagata (4-3) 15 June in Tokyo. It seems impossible for DREAM's magician from Tokyo and the UFC's warrior from Hilo to settle the cross-Pacific lightweight question; but, UFC President Dana White is desperate to keep Penn's eyes from wandering out of the young UFC 155-pound division. Penn told the post-UFC 84 press conference that, after out-boxing Sherk, it's hard for him to get motivated to fight the winner of seventh-ranked "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (9-3) versus "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-1-1) to be fought in Minneapolis 9 August. ...