SAN JOSE, Calif. - When Josh Thomson wasn't medically cleared to defend his title against Gilbert Melendez on Saturday's Strikeforce card, a lot of MMA fans groaned. But when Thomson was replaced by Mitsuhiro Ishida, the general consensus was that the organization had found a more than suitable replacement.

Saturday's interim lightweight tilt will be a rematch of a December 2007 fight, which Ishida won via unanimous decision. FanHouse spoke to the Japanese veteran about accepting this fight on short notice and what he expects to see from Melendez in the cage. The full interview is below.