Strikeforce: Melendez Retains Title; Smith Scores KO over Le

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Strikeforce: Melendez Retains Title; Smith Scores KO over Le

Monday, 21 December 2009 11:50 Doug Jeffrey

SAN JOSE, California — In a wildly exciting 25-minute slugfest, Gilbert Melendez outpointed Josh Thomson to retain the Strikeforce lightweight title.

“I feel great,’’ said Melendez, who is 17-2. “I sparred better for this fight than I did for our first, but Josh is the toughest guy I’ve fought and the toughest guy around.’’

Thomson, who unanimously outpointed Melendez over five rounds on June 27, 2008, but has not fought since Sept. 20, 2008, due to injuries, said the time off was not a factor.

“There are no excuses,” said Thomson, whose record dropped to 16-3. “Gilbert was the better fighter tonight. I’ll do whatever Strikeforce wants. I’m up for a third fight if that’s what they want.’’

In other action, Scott “Hands of Steel’’ Smith rallied to knock out Cung Le, before 9,362 at HP Pavilion Saturday.

Smith (18-6), of Elk Grove, Calif., is known for dramatic victories, but the victory over Le (6-1), of San Jose, may be impossible to top.

Southpaw Le, making his first start in 21 months, had totally dominated for two-and-one-half rounds. The fight seemed over at least a couple of times as everything was going Le’s way. His trademark spinning back kicks were connecting almost every time and they were knocking Smith around the cage. At one point, with Smith on the ground after getting dropped, Le seemed to throw more than 50 consecutive punches. He slammed Smith once.

But there is no quit in Smith, who somehow summoned the energy and heart – again – to twice drop Le. After he connected with two rights hands after Le was down, the referee stepped in and stopped it.

“This was one helluva fight,’’ Smith said afterward. “He had me the first two-and-a-half rounds, but I’ve got a hard head. On the knockdowns, I faked the right and threw the left. Everyone always looks for my right, but the left hook is my best punch.

“Right now, I just want to go home and enjoy Christmas with my kids and family and friends. It never matters who I fight. I just want these types of tough fights.’’

Jacare, whose record is now 11-2, will be an immediate threat in Strikeforce’s 185-pound weight class, as he submitted the more experienced Matt Lindland, a 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist, with an arm triangle choke at 4:18 of the first round.

A flamboyant showman, King Mo (6-0) was escorted down the aisle and into the cage for the opening bout of the telecast by six young, dancing ladies and wearing a crown on his head.

The southpaw, who seemingly is willing to fight anybody in any weight class, dropped Mike Whitehead (24-7) with a huge overhand right hand, followed with six more punches before the ref stepped in.

“This was a good fight for me, but I am ready for anybody,’’ King Mo said.

Saturday’s non-televised results: Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt (9-3), Virginia, TKO 1 over Scott Lightly (5-1), San Luis Obispo, Calif., at 205 pounds; Justin “The Silverback’’ Wilcox (8-3), San Jose, unanimous decision (30-27 twice, 29-28) over Daisuke Najamura (20-12) of Japan, at 155 pounds; and Alex Crispim (4-2), Pleasanton, Calif., unanimous decision (30-27 three times) over Al Fonseca (4-2), Santa Rosa, Calif., at 145 pounds.