Bellator & Gilbert Melendez Agree on Structure to Bring Top Lightweight To Bellator

UFC Now Holds Right to Match Offer

Newport Beach, Calif. (February 14, 2014) – At 22-3, Gilbert Melendez sits atop the UFC’s lightweight division. With victories over Josh Thomson, Diego Sanchez, Shinya Aoki and Jorge Masvidal, “El Nino” is ready for a new crop of challengers as the Santa Ana native has agreed to a multi-fight, multi-year deal structure with Bellator that can pit Melendez against some of MMA’s best, including Eddie Alvarez, Michael Chandler, Will Brooks, Dave Jansen and a host of top lightweights from around the world.

“The moment Gil was legally able to explore the free agent market, Gil’s management team reached out to me and we began figuring out how to bring Gil to Bellator,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “It’s no secret that I’ve been a big “El Nino” fan for many years. Gil was one of the first fighters I tried to sign when I launched Bellator back in 2008, and he’s grown and developed into one of the best and most exciting lightweights on earth.  Gil has a vision for what he wants to accomplish both inside and outside the cage and we can help make his vision a reality.  We are in the business of developing and showcasing the greatest fighters on earth. That’s what we intend to do here with Gil and it’s what we’ll continue to do in the future.”

The UFC currently holds matching rights on Melendez.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA          

DANIEL CORMIER THRASHES JOSH BARNETT TO CLAIM THE STRIKEFORCE HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP

 

Plus, Gilbert Melendez Retains Lightweight Title

In Another Fierce Battle With Josh Thomson

Catch The Replay Sunday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME^®

SAN JOSE, Calif., (May 20, 2012) – Daniel Cormier, perhaps the freshest face in the heavyweight division, cemented his place among the world’s elite fighters with a brilliant performance against the renowned Josh Barnettat Saturday’s STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament final at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Cormier, fighting out of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose via Lafayette, La., won by clear Unanimous Decision (scores: 49-46 and 50-45 twice) to claim the Grand Prix championship belt and realize a dream that has been years in the making.

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life and this is for them,” said the emotional champion after the fight. “For my kids, my daughter, my dad; this is for my family.”

Cormier went on to credit his AKA teammates who were in attendance. “Cain (Velazquez), Luke Rockhold, Mike Kyle. Those guys kick my (butt) everyday in practice so I know that I can go with anybody right here in the cage.

“Beating Josh Barnett, this is something a year ago that I never thought I could do.”

With less than 10 professional MMA starts, Cormier was a rising prospect when he entered the Grand Prix tournament as a replacement for Alistair Overeem.  On Saturday, Cormier used a perfect blend of the wrestling he honed at the Oklahoma State University and on the U.S. Olympic team and the sharp striking he’s acquired since joining AKA to defeat one of the most accomplished heavyweights in MMA history.

MORE RESULTS

STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Championship – 5 Rounds

In the pair’s third fierce battle, STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (21-2) won the thrilling rubber match by narrow Split Decision over Josh Thomson (19-5). Through five championship rounds it was give-and-take as both men traded sharp shooting strikes and shrewd takedowns. Scores were 48-47 Thomson, and 48-47 twice for Melendez.

STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Former Light Heavyweight Champion Rafael Feijao exacted revenge on Mike Kyle in a rematch of their 2009 fight.  Kyle taped to guillotine choke early in round 1.  The emphatic statement by Feijao puts him back in line for a shot at the vacant STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight title later this year. 

STRIKEFORCE Welterweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Chris Spang (5-1) added a third knockout to his short resume by dispatching Nah-Shon Burrell (8-2) early in the first round. Following a lethal left hook to the head of his opponent, Spang unleashed a relentless attack that force Burrell down to the mat and the referee to halt the contest.

Preliminary fights aired live on SHOWTIME Extreme

STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Isaac Vallie-Flagg (14-3-1) defeated JZ Cavalcante (16-4-1, 1 No Contest) by Split Decision. Scores were 29-28 twice for Vallie-Flagg and 29-28 for Cavalcante. 

STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

In a terrific fight, undefeated up-and-coming Brazilian Carlos Inocente (6-0) battered and beat Virgil Zwicker (10-3) for three rounds to take a Unanimous Decision. Several times during the contest, Inocente had Zwicker in trouble—including after a flush head kick in the first round—but he could not finish the dogged veteran.  Inocente won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and looks to the move up the ranks in the STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight division.

STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Gian Villante (10-3) earned a hard fought Unanimous Decision by scores of 29-28 and 30-27 twice over Derrick Mehman (12-5).

STRIKEFORCE Welterweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Quinn Mulhern (18-2) handed Yuri Villefort (6-1) his first loss with a Split Decision by scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29. 

Mauro Ranallo called all the action alongside analysts Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich withHeidi Androl serving as cageside reporter. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins Jr.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews from immediately after Saturday’s fights, plus highlights and photo galleries, please visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.

JOSH BARNETT & DANIEL CORMIER GRAND PRIX HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL* WEIGHTS AND PHOTOS *

From Friday, May 18, From HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 18, 2012) – All the fighters taking part in Saturday’s STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament Final fight card (HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME^®, 10p ET/PT) made weight on Friday afternoon at the arena locally known as The Shark Tank.

Grand Prix finalist Josh Barnett (31-5), of Fullerton, Calif., tipped the scales at 248 pounds while his undefeated counterpart Daniel Cormier (9-0), of San Jose, weighed in at 238 pounds.

STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (20-2), of San Francisco and rival Josh Thomson(19-4, 1 NC), of San Jose, both weighed in at 153 pounds for the 155-pound title fight, a rubber match in their three fight series.

FINAL WEIGHTS:

Barnett – 248 Pounds

Cormier – 238 Pounds

Melendez – 153 Pounds

Thomson – 153 Pounds

Rafael Feijao – 206 Pounds

Mike Kyle – 203 Pounds

Nah-Shon Burrell – 170 Pounds

Chris Spang – 169 Pounds

The following preliminary undercard fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)

JZ Cavalcante – 156 Pounds

Isaac Vallie-Flagg – 156 Pounds

Virgil Zwicker – 204 Pounds

Guto Inocente – 205 Pounds

Gian Villante – 205 Pounds

Derrick Mehmen – 205 Pounds

Quinn Mulhern – 170 Pounds

Yuri Villefort – 170 Pounds

Mauro Ranallo will call the action on Saturday alongside analysts Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich with Heidi Androl serving as cageside reporter. The executive producer is David Dinkins Jr.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals 19th May Primetime Provides A Four and a Half Hour MMA Extravaganza For HWGP Final

Primetime: Channel 480 on Sky, Virgin on Demand and Online at www.primetimelive.co.uk

Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final – Barnett vs Cormier

On 19^th May Strikeforce returns to its hometown of San Jose, California to bring us the final installment of the acclaimed Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament.

On 12^th February 2011 Strikeforce launched the Heavyweight Grand Prix, bringing together eight of the World’s best Heavyweight fighters to compete in a tournament format. Pitting such heavyweight luminaries as Fedor Emilianenko, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski against each other, the winner would be able to claim the crown of best Heavyweight on the planet.

Long time Heavyweight number one, Fedor Emilianenko, was the early favourite for the crown despite coming in off a shock loss to Fabricio Werdum. However Fedor’s dominance would be shattered as he was brutally picked apart by Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva in a second round defeat which left many wondering if Fedor would fight again.

‘Big Foot’ Silva would assume the favourites mantle as Alistair Overeem was forced to withdraw from the tournament following a contract dispute with Strikeforce over his required recovery time following an injury in his victory over Werdum.

Daniel Cormier was then drafted in as a reserve to replace Overeem and instantly turned the tournament on its head by defeating Silva in the tournament semi finals setting up a mouth watering final with the controversial veteran Josh Barnett.

Barnett’s route to the final came following victories over Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov, and with his tournament pedigree will now be many people’s favourite to lift the trophy. Daniel Cormier, though, will be looking to cause another major upset and establish himself as one of the world’s elite Heavyweight fighters.

To celebrate the conclusion of this acclaimed tournament, Primetime will be bringing you four and a half hours of MMA action by broadcasting the full preliminary bouts as well as the full main card from 1am on 19^th May. This includes Gilbert Melendez defending his Lightweight title in a rubber match with Josh Thompson as well as Rafael Cavalcante vs Mike Kyle.

So join us on 19^th May from 1am for an exciting night of MMA action to see just who is the best Heavyweight in the World!

Strikeforce: Barnett vs Cormier will be broadcast live at 1am on Saturday 19^th May, and will be repeated for the following 6 days. Watch on Channel 480 on Sky, Virgin on Demand and online at www.primetimelive.co.uk – only £9.95! 

For full fight card and information about future Primetime events please see www.primetimelive.co.uk

JOSH BARNETT & DANIEL CORMIER GILBERT MELENDEZ & JOSH THOMSON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Thursday, May 17, From HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 17, 2012) -- The main players took the stage Thursday in the final press conference before Saturday's STRIKEFORCE: World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament Final when Josh Barnett faces Daniel Cormier, live on SHOWTIME^® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the HP Pavilion.

The powerful Barnett (31-5), of Fullerton, Calif., has not lost a fight since 2006 and has submitted or knocked out six consecutive opponents.  The undefeated Cormier (9-0), of San Jose, is one of the most talented wrestlers in the heavyweight division and is a former star for Oklahoma State University and the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team.

                       

Joining the pair Thursday were Gilbert Melendez (20-2), of San Francisco, and bitter rival Josh Thomson (19-4, 1 NC), of San Jose, who will fight in a rubber match of their thrilling trilogy as Melendez looks to defend his STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Championship.

In other fights on SHOWTIME, Rafael Feijao takes on Mike Kyle and Nah-Shon Burrell battles Chris Spang. A four-fight preliminary card televised LIVE on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) will precede the four-fight main card on SHOWTIME.  

Mauro Ranallo will call the action alongside analysts Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich with Heidi Androlserving as cageside reporter. The executive producer is David Dinkins Jr.

What the principal fighters had to say on Thursday:

Josh Barnett:

On whether or not people are discounting his experience:

“I don't care what people say. I see my experience as being the biggest advantage in this fight. All that experience comes with all the years of training and all the fights I've had and all the different opponents, (basically) all the times I've been in the ring as a pro wrestler, as a fighter. Experience is a pretty easy word to throw around. But I don't think it’s as simple to just say experience. I have to believe ultimately in everything I do and everything I possess. So it’s the same as before and the same that it’s always going to be.”

Daniel Cormier:

On whether or not he feels like an underdog:

“Yeah I do. Honestly I do. Josh was a UFC champion and he's done a ton of things. He's beaten a lot of guys, but I've beaten quite a few of those guys too and I know I can do pretty well against the other ones, so I take it in stride. I should be the underdog because of his experience and his accomplishments, but I'll be ready to go.”

Gilbert Melendez:

“After that first fight Josh beat me up pretty good and he helped me reinvent myself as a fighter. Not only did I learn to take the center and be a smarter fighter, not get outpointed, but he helped me learn to take my job seriously. At the time I trained to do my stuff and then after that fight I treated everything like a real professional. I structure my training camps now. I train harder. I eat smart. I write everything out. I treat it like a real profession. It’s my career now. And ever since that loss that's how it’s been.”

Josh Thomson:

“Not much has changed for me since the second fight. Basically I’m just following a different game plan. The second time I fought I had to come off a 15-month layoff so I was just excited to be back in the cage. Anyone who has seen me fight can tell by the smile on my face that I enjoy to fight. I love it. So not much has changed, but I’m just going to change my game plan.”