Gilbert Melendez Dominates Shinya Aoki To Retain Strikeforce Lightweight Title

by Kelvin Hunt on Apr 17, 2010 10:43 PM EDT in News

In a fight that wasn't even competitive, Gilbert Melendez used his wrestling to keep the fight standing and punish Shinya Aoki for five rounds.

Every round was an exact replica of the round before as Shinya Aoki wasn't able to get anything accomplished on the feet or on the ground. Melendez landed strikes at will as the fight was on the feet, and even went to Aoki's strength several times during the fight. He played in Aoki's guard and landed several strong strikes which Aoki didn't have any answer for. Especially in the third round when Melendez had Aoki pinned against the cage and delivered several solid right hands to the head of Aoki. However, Aoki did show some heart in that he took the punishment to the very end. It'll be interesting to see how this shakes up the rankings of the lightweight division as Aoki was thought to be a top 5 lightweight coming into this fight. However, it was his fight cage fight and he was fighting without his magic tights. I don't think it was a major factor in the fight with the gameplan that Melendez implemented though. He was dominant in every round.

Gilbert Melendez retains the Strikeforce lightweight title via Unanimous Decision.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Nashville on CBS

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In a fight that wasn’t even competitive

You said it. I’m just trying to imagine what Aoki would look like if he knew how to throw a jab or two. What about a left head kick that would have scored against Melendez? He fought like he didn’t have arms or legs.

"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.

by VeeisAnimated on Apr 17, 2010 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

well...that was too be expected though right?

his standup game is non-existant.

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by Kelvin Hunt on Apr 17, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup, he is extremely one dimensional. That’s why I give him little chance against most of the top UFC LWs who are wrestlers and can dictate where the fight takes place. Aoki isn’t going to win a striking contest vs the likes of Sherk, Maynard, Griffin or Edgar.

Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but you still can't
help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...

by villin on Apr 18, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions