The Strikeforce ‘Shamrock vs. Diaz’ event has added yet another super fight for their April 11 fight card. A rematch bout between Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) and Gilbert Melendez (14-2) has been set for the co-main event.
Both fighters first met on June of 2008 and it was Thomson who defeated Melendez via a unanimous decision. Thomson has held the Strikeforce lightweight title since then. He fought a non-title bout against Ashe Bowman at the Strikeforce ‘Playboy Mansion 2’ event, winning via TKO (punches) in the first round.
Melendez will have his chance to reattain the belt on April 11 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The main bout will headline a middleweight fight between Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz. Also, Jake Shields will take on Joe “Diesel” Riggs as part of the main fight card.
Snip from Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz:
“We were excited to put in on…I think everyone wanted it, whether it was Showtime or Strikeforce…the first one was great, and I think fans were hungry for more. Josh (Thomson) got the better of Gil (Melendez) that night, but it was still nominated as one of the year’s best fights…both guys are top-10 lightweights any way you look at it.”
