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Strikeforce held an open workout and press conference yesterday at Legends gym in Hollywood, California for their upcoming Strikeforce “Nashville” event. Here’s highlights, video interviews and pictures courtesy of Strikeforce, Showtime, Sherdog and FIGHT! Magazine.

It’s finally official!

Gegard Mousasi, Cung Le, Josh Thomson, Gilbert Melendez and Tyrone Woodley got the opportunity to check out EA Sports MMA in Miami at the Madden Bowl. Jacare talks about the game after the jump.

Inside MMA airs on HDNet every Friday night at 9PM ET.

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More segments after the jump.

“[Shinya Aoki]’s No. 2 in the world and I was the lucky guy who won this fight, and they’ve been talking about bringing him to Strikeforce. Whether it’s in his mind if I deserve it or not, I think I kind of earned it and I think I match up really well with the guy. I think he’s tough. I think I have the proper game plan for him. I’ve got the proper training partners for him, and I think he knows I’d be a tough match for him. I’d love to fight that guy. If they could really make that happen in Strikeforce, I’m all over it. I’m ready for it, let’s do it on CBS…All of a sudden this year, I avenged both my losses. I cleaned my slate. I beat Rodrigo Damm, a tough guy, I’m the champ again, and now they’re talking about me fighting the No. 2 guy in the world. One win away from being top five in the world again…The night I got home after fighting Josh, I promise, I had a dream of Aoki that same night. (I’m) moving on now.”

—Gilbert Melendez, via MMA Weekly, proclaiming his desire to fight Shinya Aoki on CBS

A win over Shinya Aoki would certainly vault Melendez up in the rankings, but that’s easier said than done. Everyone has a chance against Aoki if they can keep it on the feet, however he’s pretty slick in finding ways to get it to the ground, and once he does, he’s a threat to finish the fight at any moment. I don’t know who I’d pick to win, but I’d love to see it on CBS.

Image via Esther Lin for Showtime

The CSAC has released the fighter payouts for Strikeforce “Evolution.” Keep in mind, these figures represent the base contracted pay the fighter receives from the promotion. These figures do not include any additional undisclosed bonuses or sponsorship money, which in many cases exceeds a fighter’s base pay. These numbers also do not account for taxes, insurance, and license fees.

As always, Esther Lin has an awesome photo gallery from last night’s Strikeforce “Evolution” on Showtime event.

Strikeforce ‘Evolution’ post-fight press conference videos and interviews via Fanhouse, Showtime Sports, Strikeforce and Sherdog.