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[Cat--Smasher]

Strikeforce champ Melendez, CEO Coker say no to fourth fight with Thomson

Finding motivation to fight Josh Thomson wasn't the grand struggle it was made out to be for Gilbert Melendez.

"It's tough to get motivated sometimes just because if I was on the other end of the stick and I got a good opportunity, it's a lot easier to get motivated," he said after a close decision victory over Thomson at "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final."

Finding momentum during the fight was a different story.

A disappointed Melendez (21-2 MMA, 11-1 SF) felt he could have performed better against Thomson (19-5 MMA, 10-2 SF) in the rubber match that many fans saw as a lateral move for his career.

"I couldn't really unleash the beast tonight," he said. "I just kind of felt like I was in control."

Two of three judges agreed and awarded Melendez the fight by scores of 29-28. A third dissented for Thomson, 29-28. It was Melendez's fourth title defense since retaking the belt from Thomson in December 2009.

"Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" took place Saturday at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The main card aired live on Showtime while went to Showtime Extreme aired prelims.

The close fight prompted the question of a fourth fight between the champ and former titleholder. Melendez placated the pro-Thomson crowd with a "yeah sure, whatever," when it was broached immediately after the decision.

But at the post-fight presser, he gave an emphatic "no" when asked the same.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, meanwhile, was lavish in his praise of the rubber match but said Melendez and Thomson wouldn't meet again.

"The trilogy is done, and we'll go from there," he said.

Strikeforce champ Melendez, CEO Coker say no to fourth fight with Thomson | MMAjunkie.com

[trustkill]

If the 3-headed monster of Strikeforce, Zuffa, and Showtime were open to the idea of non-title fights (think Bellator) they'd have a much easier time convincing a UFC LW to drop down and fight Gil. Until then, I have no idea who he's going to fight.

What UFC fighter would take a SF title fight knowing that if he won, he'd probably be stuck in the promotion (a demotion, technically). The only way he gets back into the UFC is if loses in SF, which would hurt his UFC stock. It's just a lose-lose situation without major financial compensation.

[RonPaulForPeace]

all last nights fight did was show that el nino is no where near the best lw in the world, maybe all that gilberts the best lw talk can go away

[Pasha K]

Originally Posted by RonPaulForPeace

all last nights fight did was show that el nino is no where near the best lw in the world, maybe all that gilberts the best lw talk can go away

It was simply not his best night.
Motivation is a huge factor, how to get motivated fighting a guy you already defeated 2 times before?
Melendez probably did not train hardly enough and yesterday he was not in his best shape. And still he managed to win.

[IrishX(aka bornbear)]

Originally Posted by Rocky>Fedor

It was simply not his best night.
Motivation is a huge factor, how to get motivated fighting a guy you already defeated 2 times before?
Melendez probably did not train hardly enough and yesterday he was not in his best shape. And still he managed to win.

Josh Thompson won their first fight. So they were even 1-1 going into last night's fight.

[MIZjitsZOU]

I really thought Thompson won that fight. I thought he took the 3, 4, and 5th.

If you go by stockton rules then Gil definitely lost that fight.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

I had it either a draw and leaned slightly towards Punk winning a decision if I had to pick one.

Melendez's last two performances have been tremendously underwhelming especially when factoring in Gilbert's inability to finish two non-top 10 LWs(closer to 15 to 20) who both had substantial injuries going into the fights(Masvidal's broken hand and Thomson's PCL injury). Gilbert looked beastly against Crusher, but these past two fights should've been gimmes and he whiffed badly in my eyes.

He needs UFC caliber top 10 LWs to establish himself, or he's going to become a BFC Lombard-type champion. Beating Pat Healy isn't going to reaffirm Gilbert's dominance.

[W.Silva>C.Norris]

Originally Posted by MIZJUDOZOU

I really thought Thompson won that fight. I thought he took the 3, 4, and 5th.

If you go by stockton rules then Gil definitely lost that fight.

thankfully, we use a scoring system that actually makes sense..

[Rise]

Originally Posted by Rocky>Fedor

It was simply not his best night.
Motivation is a huge factor, how to get motivated fighting a guy you already defeated 2 times before?
Melendez probably did not train hardly enough and yesterday he was not in his best shape. And still he managed to win.

As pointed out Josh won the first fight so they were tied 1-1 going into it. If I'm Melendez I want to put a stamp on Thompson to leave no doubt.

Also if you want to make the claim your the best you again want to leave no doubt in anyones mind that you are and you shouldn't be lacking motivation going into any fight.

[joeodd2]

I think Josh really showed some skill in this fight, and stepped up big. I think Josh is just one guy who would always give Gil problems, every fighter has that ONE guy......some never meet them and some meet them 3 times....