Shamrock Falls to Diaz and Melendez Claims Strikeforce Interim Title Live on Showtime
Despite the cheers of nearly 15,000 fans, home town hero and MMA legend, Frank Shamrock couldn’t muster an effective offensive strategy against his younger and more agile opponent.
Nick Diaz used his reach and a southpaw stance to keep Shamrock at bay, consistently forcing “The Legend’s“ punches to fall short of the mark. Diaz executed his fight plan flawlessly, keeping Shamrock off-balance and peppering him with combinations. The end came at 3:57 of round two when Diaz landed a vicious body shot forcing Shamrock to the canvas. Diaz followed by raining down combination punches until referee John McCarthy stepped in.
Fighting for the Interim Strikeforce Lightweight title made available by the injury to Josh Thomson, Gilbert, “El Nino” Melendez defeated Rodrigo Damm by KO at 2:02 of the second round. Melendez was the aggressor though out, controlling both the stand-up and ground action. The end came via a crushing overhand right that knocked the Brazilian out cold. This sets up what will certainly be a highly anticipated rematch between Melendez and Thompson in the future.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Nick Diaz vs. Frank Shamrock / 179 LBS.
Winner: Nick Diaz via KO at 3:57 of Round 2
Gilbert Melendez vs. Rodrigo Damm / 155 LBS.
Winner: Gilbert Melendez via KO at 2:02 or Round 2, and new STRIKEFORCE INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION
Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach / 185 LBS.
Winner: Scott Smith via KO at 3:24 of Round 3 - Scott Smith, bloodied and bruised pulled a rabbit from a hat with in incredible hook stopping Radach with just a minute and a half left in the bout.
Chris “Cyborg” vs. Hitomi Akano / 145 LBS.
Winner: Chris Cyborg by TKO at 0:35 or Round 3 – Cyborg was way too much for the smaller Akano.
Brett Rogers vs. “Abongo” Humphrey / HEAVYWEIGHT
Winner: Brett Rogers via TKO at 1:38 or Round 2 – Humprey tried movement and timing to keep the undefeated power puncher Rogers at bay but got caught in the second round
Luke Rockold vs. Buck Meredith / 185 LBS.
Winner: Buck Meredith via Submission/Rear Naked Choke at 4:07 or Round 1
Eric Lawson vs. Waylon Kennell / 185 LBS.
Winner: Eric Lawson via TKO by strikes at 4:54 or round 1. This was a very exciting one-round gun-fight that saw both athletes have their moments.
Raul Castillo vs. Brandon Michaels / 185 LBS.
Winner: Raul Castillo by Submission/ Rear Naked Choke at 1:45 or Round 1
James Terry vs. Zach Bucia / 170 LBS.
Winner: James Terry via Unanimous Decision.
Jeremy Tavares vs. Shingo Kohara / 130 LBS.
Winner: Shingo Kohara via KO at 0:04 of Round 2. Kohara timed a knee strike perfectly as Tavares tried to shoot.
15 April 2009
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