ivo c.
02-03-2010, 09:18
DREAM import Shinya Aoki will get first crack at newly-crowned lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez when the Japanese submission fighter makes his stateside debut on the main card of the upcoming Strikeforce event planned for April 17 on CBS.
Josh Gross of SI.com tweeted the proposed match-up earlier today.
The bout is expected to serve as one of three championship contests on the promotion's upcoming trip to Nashville for "Saturday Night Fights" on CBS. While "El Nino" is putting his strap on the line, "The Tobikan Judan" will reportedly keep his title safe and sound back in DREAM.
Melendez (17-2) has been electric since falling to Josh Thomson in June of 2008. In addition to TKO wins over Rodrigo Damm and Mitsuhiro Ishida, the former PRIDE and Shooto standout avenged his loss to "The Punk" at last December's "Evolution" card from San Jose, taking the 155-pound title in the process.
The California native has been vocal about bringing Aoki to the States in order to test himself against the grappling wizard and cement himself as one of the world's top lightweights.
Josh Gross of SI.com tweeted the proposed match-up earlier today.
The bout is expected to serve as one of three championship contests on the promotion's upcoming trip to Nashville for "Saturday Night Fights" on CBS. While "El Nino" is putting his strap on the line, "The Tobikan Judan" will reportedly keep his title safe and sound back in DREAM.
Melendez (17-2) has been electric since falling to Josh Thomson in June of 2008. In addition to TKO wins over Rodrigo Damm and Mitsuhiro Ishida, the former PRIDE and Shooto standout avenged his loss to "The Punk" at last December's "Evolution" card from San Jose, taking the 155-pound title in the process.
The California native has been vocal about bringing Aoki to the States in order to test himself against the grappling wizard and cement himself as one of the world's top lightweights.