Melendez - Aoki Fight Set (MMA Pound for Pound)
Online, March 14, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Strikeforce Lightweight Gilbert Melendez and Dream Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki is set to fight each other on April 17 on CBS for what many considers as one of the most anticipated MMA pound for pound fight of the year. The fight is the fulfillment of a wish for Melendez who wanted to fight Aoki for quite some time already.
He announced his desire to fight the Dream champ after winning back his Strikeforce title last December. He even said that he started dreaming about the fight with one Aoki who is considered as one of the best MMA pound for pound fighters in the world. Melendez has won three straight matches after losing his championship to Josh Thompson in 2008 defeating MMA pound for pound greats such as Rodrigo Damm, Mitsuhiro Ishida and Thompson to regain his title. A victory with Aoki will solidify Melendez's status as a MMA pound for pound champion.
The match with Aoki is not expected to be a run in the park for Melendez though because the Japanese MMA pound for pound fighter is considered as one of the most dangerous in the world. Like Melendez, Aoki has also defeated many MMA pound for pound greats such as Eddie Alvarez, Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro, and Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante. Known for his dreaded submission moves, Aoki latest victim is fellow Japanese Mizuto Hirota whose limb he almost twisted using an armbar.
Apart from deadly submission moves, Aoki is also known for his flashy spandex that he always wears for a fight. In his fight with Melendez however, he will be forced to leave his spandex tights at home and wear the more common wrestling trunks instead. This is because of the rule set by Strikeforce. Fighting without his trademark spandex is not the only thing that will be new to Aoki in the April 17. For the first time in his career, the Japanese MMA pound for pound champ will also be fighting inside a cage. As to how these developments will affect his chances of defeating fellow MMA pound for pound champ Melendez is yet to be determined.
It is necessary to clarify that the only Melendez title will be at stake during the fight. Melendez will fight a the champion and Aoki as the challenger. The Melendez vs. Aoki match is the third major MMA pound for pound match that Strikeforce has signed recently, the other two are the Jake Shields vs. Dan Henderson fight and the Gerard Mousasi vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal match.