This is the Strikeforce live blog for Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida, the interim lightweight championship bout on the Showtime card Saturday night.Ishida, who stepped in for champ Josh "The Punk" Thomson on two weeks notice, is the first person to hand Melendez a loss. Here, Melendez attempts to defend his belt and avenge one of the two losses in his career.
Follow the live blog below.
Round one: Melendez stuff the first takedown try. Ishida tries another takedown, but Melendez stuff it and lands a knee to the face. Ishida tried a left hook, and Melendez ducked it and landed his own hook. Ishida stayed persistent and got a takedown at 1:35. Ishida quickly got Melendez's back, but Melendez powered out, then took him down. Melendez wasn't able to do much with the position as Ishida threatened with a kimura, leading to a stalemate. FanHouse scores the round for Melendez, 10-9.
Round two: Melendez snapped off a jab that landed early. An Ishida takedown gets stuffed again. Melendez lands a nice elbow against the cage. Melendez landed a hard right. Ishida has blood running down his chest, which looks like it's coming from his ear. Melendez scored a takedown with 1:30 left. Melendez batters him with knees to the body against the fence. Melendez scores with body shots as they circle off the cage. Big round for Melendez, 10-9.Round three: Melendez pummels him with a scoring combination midway through the round. Ishida is bleeding from the right side of his head, too. Melendez is mauling him on the ground. Ishida gives up his back and just turtles and Melendez pummels him into a TKO.
Winner: Melendez via TKO
Carano vs. Cyborg
Cris Cyborg punches Gina Carano in the face at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gina Carano's leg gets caught by Cris Cyborg at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gina Carano punches Cris Cyborg in the face at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Cris Cyborg celebrates her victory over Gina Carano to win the Strikeforce title on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gegard Mousasi dominates the fight against Babalu Sobral, winning the fight in one minute at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gegard Mousasi celebrates his first-round knockout victory at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gilbert Melendez, right, hammers Mitsuhiro Ishida at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Gilbert Melendez celebrates his third-round knockout win against Mitsuhiro Ishida at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Fabricio Werdum finishes Mike Kyle off early in the first round with a guillotine choke at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
Fabricio Werdum celebrates his first-round victory at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Esther Lin, Strikeforce
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