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Strikeforce returns June 27 with Melendez vs. Thomson

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Apr 25, 2008 at 1:11 pm ET Coming off its network television debut and a recent mega-fight between Frank Shamrock and new world middleweight champion Cung Le, the surging Strikeforce organization today announced its next major event.

The show takes place June 27 and features a main event of Strikeforce world lightweight title fight between champion Gilbert Melendez (14-1) and Josh Thomson (14-2).

The HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., plays host to the show.

In addition to Melendez vs. Thomson, MMAjunkie.com has learned that Strikeforce world light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth (8-5) is expected to defend his title against against Anthony Ruiz (20-10) at the event.

Ruiz posted a dominating second-round TKO victory over Southworth in a non-title fight this past November. A Strikeforce official today said the fight isn't signed but did confirm that Ruiz was promised a future title shot after defeating Southworth in their previous non-title bout.

As for Melendez vs. Thomson, the two lightweights will give the fight a second chance. The bout was originally slated for the March 29 EliteXC-Strikeforce co-promoted card, but Thomson had to pull out of the event to undergo left-should surgery.

"This is a very big fight for the fans, for the promotion and for Josh and me," stated Melendez, who most recently scored a second-round TKO of Gabe Lemley in March. "Josh is a great fighter, but I'm the champ, and I plan on remaining the champ for a long time."

Thomson, meanwhile, enters the event with a six-fight winning streak. Now, he hopes to make it seven in a row when he meets his longtime friend.

"This fight with Gilbert has been a long time coming, and we're ready to do it," Thomson stated. "It's not as if we need a feeling-out period. We both know each other very well. We've trained together, we've sparred together. We're gonna come out ready for five rounds, but we're gonna bang it out."

Tickets for the event go on sale beginning May 5.

Strikeforce/EliteXC Official Salaries: Le and Shamrock share $500,000

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Apr 01, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Main event winner and new Strikeforce world middleweight champion Cung Le ($200,000) and former title-holder Frank Shamrock ($300,000) split 75 percent of the total fight purse from Saturday's Strikeforce/EliteXC main event.

MMAjunkie.com today obtained the total fighter payroll from the California State Athletic Commission.

Saturday's event, which took place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., drew 15,192 attendees (14,710 paid) for a total live gate of $1,117,855.

The total disclosed payroll for the show was $667,850.

The full amounts included:

• Cung Le ($200,000) def. Frank Shamrock ($300,000)
• Drew Fickett ($10,000) def. Jae S. Lim ($3,000)
• Gilbert Melendez ($50,000) def. Gabe Lemley ($7,000)
• Wayne Cole ($10,000) def. Mike Kyle ($10,000)
• Joey Villasenor ($36,000) def. Ryan Jensen ($6,000)
• Billy Evangelista ($10,000) def Marlon Sims ($2,500)
• Tiki Ghosn ($8,000) def. Luke Stewart ($6,000)
• Darren Uyenoyama ($4,000) def. Anthony Figueroa ($2,000)
• Jesse Jones ($2,150) def. Jesse Gillespie ($1,200)

"Win" bonuses went to Fickett ($5,000), Cole ($5,000), Villasenor ($18,000), Evangelista ($5,000) Ghosn ($2,000), Uyenoyama ($2,000) and Jones ($500).

Now, the usual disclaimer: the figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighter's income. In other words, these are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not represent the total amounts earned by each fighter.

Le Stops Shamrock in Epic Battle

by Dann Stupp on Mar 29, 2008 at 10:55 pm

In an early candidate for fight of the year, San Shou kickboxer and still undefeated Cung Le (6-0) became Strikeforce's new world middleweight champion by stopping -- and breaking the arm of -- former title-holder Frank Shamrock (24-9-1).

The fight, the biggest in the history of the suddenly surging Strikeforce organization, capped off Saturday's co-promoted event with EliteXC. A San Jose, Calif. crowd packed the HP Pavilion. The main card aired live on Showtime.

In the weeks leading up to the fight, Shamrock shared a bold game plan: he'd stand and trade with the famed stand-up fighter. Surprisingly, Shamrock, did just that -- and it eventually led to disaster.

"I guess he did keep his word," Le said.

After failing on an early takedown attempt, Shamrock never really again tried and was sporadically successful leg kicks and a series of rights. However, Le picked him apart with counter-punches, strikes to the midsection, and dangerous head kicks. Those kicks would take a toll, eventually breaking Shamrock's right arm. A final head kick sent Shamrock stumbling back to his corner after the third round.

He'd never return.

"I knew I caught him good in the hand," Le said of Shamrock's early attempts to fend off head kicks. "He kept blocking, so I kept aiming at that part of the wrist."

As the third round came to a close, Shamrock's arm injuries were obvious. In a fight that first played out like a chess match, with each fighter complimenting his opponent's successes, the smiles and handshakes were gone by the third round. Instead, Shamrock cracked Le with strikes that had the fighter staggering and in survival mode. But, just before the round came to a close, Le threw a final head kick. Shamrock blocked it -- but broke his arm in the process.

The injury forced a stoppage before the fourth round would get underway, and Le was thankful the punishment ended.

"Every time he dipped, I thought he was going to shoot in, so I couldn't move my head," Le said after the fight, with blood tricking from his mouth. "He caught me with some hard punches and rocked me a few times."

With the victory -- Le's first over a known, established top-tier opponent -- the 34-year-old fighter has solidified his superstar status. His fame will only grow next month when he's prominently featured in the debut of "Strikeforce on NBC," the first weekly MMA series to air on major U.S. network television.

Le, one of perhaps the organization's most marketed stars, is the focus of the April 12 premiere.

"This is a dream come true," Le said. "Coming (to the U.S.) from Vietnam under gunfire and now world champion, I love it."

The full results from Saturday included:

• Cung Le vs. Frank Shamrock via TKO (injury) -- Round 3, 5:00 (for Strikeforce world middleweight title)
• Drew Fickett def. Jae Suk Lim via submission (guillotine choke) -- Round 1, 1:14
• Gilbert Melendez def. Gabe Lemley via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:18 (for Strikeforce world lightweight title)
• Wayne Cole def. Mike Kyle via submission (armbar) -- Round 1, 0:42
• Joey Villasenor def. Ryan Jensen via KO (punch) -- Round 1, 4:45
• Tiki Ghosn def. Luke Stewart via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Darren Uyenoyama def. Anthony Figueroa via submission (guillotine choke) -- Round 1, 1:27
• Jesse Jones def. Jesse Gillespie via TKO -- Round 1, 0:35

"Strikeforce on NBC" Officially Announced

by Dann Stupp on Mar 27, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Strikeforce and NBC have officially announced a partnership that will put a weekly mixed-martial-arts series on major network television for the first time.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported the pending deal earlier this month, and NBCSports.com today made it official.

The series debut is set for Saturday, April 12 from 2-2:30 a.m. ET.

"Mixed martial arts has exploded onto the sports scene," stated Jerry Petry, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Television. "Its athletes are tremendous competitors, and the sport is one of the fastest growing in the world. As a leader in this arena, Strikeforce will be able to deliver some of the finest and most intense action ever seen on broadcast TV."

The show will air in its weekly timeslot after NBC's popular late-night program, "Poker After Dark." Network executives say that it was a natural lead-in program since the core audience (18-34 year old males) is so similar.

As MMAjunkie.com first reported, "Strikeforce on NBC" will feature complete fights from the Strikeforce archives, as well as other highlights and event footage. Additionally, the program will be used to spotlight some of the organization's more popular fighters.

The debut episode will feature two fights -- Cung Le vs. Brian Warren, and Duane "Bang" Ludwig vs. Tony "The Freak" Fryklund -- as well as a profile on Le, a popular San Jose-based fighter who made his transition from San Shou kickboxing to MMA with the Strikeforce organization. He fights Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock for the title on Saturday.

With its April 12 launch date, Strikeforce will actually beat EliteXC to network television. EliteXC recently inked a deal with CBS, and the organizations will host a major live fight event on May 31. "EliteXC Saturday Night Fights" will be the first-ever live MMA event series picked up by network television.

Other than a minor deal between the International Fight League and the struggling MyNetworkTV, MMA has never appeared on a network.

"Strikeforce on NBC" is produced by Kevin Cusick of KC Productions in conjunction with Carr-Hughes Productions.

Report: Diaz out, Fickett in for Strikeforce/EliteXC

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Mar 26, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Nick Diaz (15-7) has been scratched from Saturday's Strikeforce/EliteXC show and will be replaced by Drew Fickett (32-5), who will now fight Jae Suk Lim (9-3), according to a report from MMAWeekly.com.

A reason for Diaz's departure was not reported.

Fickett, who had been scheduled to fight Jake Shields for the EliteXC welterweight title before Shields suffered a back injury, will return to the televised card.

Saturday's event takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The five-bout main card airs on Showtime.

The event has been plagued with fighter losses due to injury, surgery and visa problems. A flurry of fight-card changes began soon after the card was originally announced.

Additionally, three bouts -- Mike Kyle (9-6-1) vs. Wayne Cole (10-6), Jesse Jones (1-0) vs. Jesse Gillespie (1-0), and Darren Uyenoyama (3-1) vs. Anthony Figueroa (4-1) -- were confirmed for the card just today.

The card now includes:

MAIN CARD (Televised)

• Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le
• Drew Fickett vs Jae Suk Lim
• Gilbert Melendez vs. Gabe Lemley
• Mike Kyle vs Wayne Cole
• Joey Villasenor vs. Ryan Jensen

PRELIMINARY CARD (Un-televised)

• Tiki Ghosn vs. Luke Stewart
• Jesse Jones vs. Jesse Gillespie
• Darren Uyenoyama vs. Anthony Figueroa

Shields vs. Fickett Title Fight Canceled

by Dann Stupp on Mar 25, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Jake Shields will have to wait a little longer to fight for the EliteXC welterweight title.

ProElite.com is reporting that a bout between Shields and fellow title hopeful Drew Fickett, who were scheduled to meet at Saturday's Strikeforce/EliteXC co-promotion, has been scratched due to a back injury suffered by Shields.

The fight has been "canceled," and there's no word if a replacement will be sought to fight Fickett.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has left messages with both fighters' camps for comment.

The bout was one of three title fights originally planned for Saturday's event, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock meets Cung Le in the night's main event, and Strikeforce world lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez meets Gabe Lemley in a televised event.

The event airs on Showtime.

EliteXC, which launched in December 2006, has only two champions to date: middleweight title-holder Robbie Lawler (who won the title from Murilo "Ninja" Rua) and lightweight champ KJ Noons. Shields vs. Fickett had been regarded as one of the organization's highest-profile title fights.

Shields (20-4-1), who signed a long-term deal with EliteXC back in November, made no mention of any back problems in Monday's MMAjunkie.com interview.

In fact, he was counting on his 10th straight victory.

"I'm just going to fight," he said. "If we stand, I can beat him. If it goes to the ground, I can pass his guard and pound him out or submit him."

Fickett (32-5), a former UFC fighter who's 31-1 outside the organization, was set to make his EliteXC debut.

Tiki vs. Stewart Set for March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC

by Dann Stupp on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Undefeated Strikeforce prospect Luke Stewart (5-0) will meet veteran fighter Tiki Ghosn (9-7) at next weekend's Strikeforce/EliteXC show in San Jose, Calif.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned of the fight from Ghosn's camp, and his manager, Ken Pavia, confirmed the bout on today's edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com).

The event takes place at the HP Pavilion and airs live on Showtime. Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock takes on Cung Le in the night's main event.

Stewart, who's fought professionally only with Strikeforce, has finished four of his five victories via knockout. The 27-year-old Californian most recently scored a stunning, 19-second knockout (via knee) of Bryson Kamaka at a November Strikeforce event.

He'll now take on Ghosn, a former UFC and WEC fighter who will make his Strikeforce and EliteXC debut at the event. The 31-year-old will look to snap a four-fight losing streak that's included defeats to Chris Lytle and Xtreme Couture fighter Dave Terrel.

The televised card for the event has not yet been announced.

PRIDE GP Winner Misaki Signs with Strikeforce

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Mar 16, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Highly ranked middleweight and 2006 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix winner Kazuo Misaki (19-8-2) has signed with Strikeforce.

News of the signing was broken by Ron Kruk on Friday's edition of "Inside MMA," a new partner site of MMAjunkie.com.

According to the report, Misaki has signed a two-fight deal with the Strikeforce, a quickly growing MMA organization headquartered in California. As we first announced last week, Strikeforce is close to announcing a new deal that will give the organization a weekly presence on NBC.

Misaki's signing strengthens Strikeforce's middleweight division, which includes the organizations's world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock, U.S. champ Eugene Jackson, undefeated Cung Le, Phil Baroni and Joe Riggs.

Shamrock and Le meet later this month in what could be the organization's biggest show to date. "Strikeforce/EliteXC: Shamrock vs. Cung Le" airs March 29 on Showtime. Misaki could be a future opponent for the winner.

The deal is exclusive in North America but non-exclusive elsewhere.

The 31-year-old fought almost exclusively in Pancrase and PRIDE before recent fights at "Yarennoka!" in December and the World Victory Road debut show earlier this month.

Misaki owns victories over some of the biggest names in MMA, including Denis Kang and Dan Henderson, while his losses have come against top-10 fighters such as Nate Marquardt, Paulo Filho and Frank Trigg. He most recently submitted Siyar Bahadurzada at the March 5 WVR show.

There's no word on Misaki's possible debut date with Strikeforce.

"Cyborg" Replaces Riggs at March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC Show

by Dann Stupp on Mar 04, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Veteran fighter Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (15-11), who takes on Makoto Takimoto (4-3) at Wednesday's World Victory Road debut show, will then return to the U.S. for a March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC fight with Joey Villasenor (24-6).

Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Santos will fill in for Joe Riggs (27-10), who was scratched from the event due to an injury suffered in last month's Strikeforce show.

"Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Cung Le" takes place March 29 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock (23-8-1) meets undefeated Cung Le (5-0) in the night's main event.

Riggs had to pull out of the bout with Villasenor due to a back injury. In a Feb. 23 "Strikeforce at the Dome" fight with Cory Devela, Riggs was thrown to the mat and forced to tap out instantly from the pain. He's since had two procedures to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve.

"He is really, really disappointed," said Ken Pavia, the fighter's agent. "Joe really wanted this fight with Joey Villasenor, but he'll be back and ready to fight in April... He starts training again next week."

So long as Santos doesn't suffer significant damage in tomorrow's fight, the 30-year-old PRIDE and Cage Rage vet will make his Strikeforce debut against Villasenor, a Team Jackson fighter.

After suffering a second-round TKO to Murilo "Ninja" Rua in a June fight for the EliteXC middleweight title, Villasenor earned a split-decision victory over Riki Fukuda in September. He had been scheduled for a King of the Cage fight but pulled out of the bout when he was offered a slot on the Strikeforce/EliteXC card.

In addition to Shamrock vs. Le, Jake Shields meets former UFC fighter Drew Fickett on the night's main card.

Report: Nick Diaz Added to March 29 EliteXC/Strikeforce Event

by Dann Stupp on Mar 01, 2008 at 2:31 pm

Nick Diaz, who was tentatively scheduled to return to EliteXC in April, will instead compete on the organization's March 29 show. The event, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., is co-promoted by Strikeforce and features a main event between Frank Shamrock and Cung Le.

The Diaz news comes from GracieFighter.com, a website owned by Cesar Gracie, under whom Diaz trains. MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) couldn't immediately reach event officials for confirmation.

Diaz's opponent hasn't been named.

Last month, fiveouncesofpain.com reported that Muhsin Corbbrey (6-2), an up-and-comer who made a name for himself with back-to-back victories in EliteXC's "ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series" events, would likely be Diaz's opponent at the April 26 event in Honolulu, Hawaii. However, the website now reports the fight has been scrapped.

Diaz most recently fought K.J. Noons for EliteXC's vacant lightweight title in November, but the bout was stopped after the first round because of multiple cuts on Diazâ??s face. He had surgery to repair significant scar tissue soon after the TKO loss.

The former UFC fighter is now 4-1 (with one no-contest) in his past six fights.

Diaz may have been added to the March fight card after a few notable subtractions. As MMAjunkie.com reported earlier this week, a fight between Strikeforce world lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez (13-1) and Jorge Masvidal (13-2) has been scrapped because of a shin injury suffered by Masvidal at a Feb. 23 Strikeforce event. (The organization is on the search for a replacement.) Additionally, a back injury suffered in the same event will likely force Joe Riggs out of his bout with Joey Villasenor.

Still, in addition to Shamrock vs Le, the event will feature a fight between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett for the vacant EliteXC welterweight title, and notables such as Paul Daley and Paul Buenetello are also expected to compete.

The airs on Showtime.