SAN DIEGO --This is the Strikeforce live blog for
Gilbert Melendez vs.
Tatsuya Kawajiri, a lightweight bout on tonight's Strikeforce on Showtime event at the Valley View Casino Center.
Melendez (18-2)'s last fight was a year ago, a successful title defense against Shinya Aoki. Kawajiri (27-6-2) is coming off a New Year's Eve win over former Strikeforce champ Josh Thomson.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Kawajiri lunges forward with a left hook and Melendez nails him with a right hand counter behind the ear that rocks him. Kawajiri recovers, but Melendez ducks under another punch and into the clinch, where he fires off some hard knees. They separate and Melendez rocks him again. Kawajiri is in trouble. Melendez goes after him on the ground and tries to finish, but Kawajiri hangs tough and defends. They go back to the center and Melendez pounds him with the right yet again. Kawajiri shoots and Melendez counters with a right uppercut. Kawajiri falls to his back and Melendez hammers him with elbows. Kawajiri has no defense, and referee Cecil People mercifully steps in to stop it. Dominant performance from Melendez.
Gilbert Melendez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via TKO (strikes) at 3:14 of round 1
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Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley Fight Night Photos
Nick Diaz punches Paul Daley en route to a TKO victory at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Esther Lin, Zuffa LLC/Getty Images
Esther Lin, Zuffa LLC/Getty Images
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Nick Diaz punches Paul Daley en route to a TKO victory at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Nick Diaz takes a knee from the stomach against Paul Daley at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
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Paul Daley tries to defend against Nick Diaz at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Nick Diaz pounds out Paul Daley at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Nick Diaz raises his arms in victory against Paul Daley at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Gilbert Melendez punches Tatsuya Kawajiri at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Gilbert Melendez elbows Tatsuya Kawajiri at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
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Gilbert Melendez retains his Strikeforce lightweight title against Tatsuya Kawajiri at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Gegard Mousasi punches Keith Jardine at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz vs. Daley Photos
Gegard Mousasi lands a kick to the body of Keith Jardine at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif.
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