Mitsuhiro Ishida vs Justin Wilcox
Josh Thomson vs. Ashe Bowman and Kazuo Misaki vs. Joe Riggs after the jump.
Josh Thomson vs. Ashe Bowman and Kazuo Misaki vs. Joe Riggs after the jump.
This week’s episode of Strikeforce on NBC featured the Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez lightweight title match. Rounds four and five after the jump.
The CSAC has released the fighter payouts for Strikeforce At The Mansion II. Keep in mind, these figures represent the base contracted pay plus a win bonus the fighter receives from the promotion. These figures do not include any additional 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.

Strikeforce: Melendez vs Thomson took place earlier this evening at the HP Pavilion, in San Jose, California.
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, Gilbert Melendez, put his title on the line against challenger, Josh Thomson.
Bobby Southworth looked to retain his light heavyweight championship in a match against a man that’s beat him before, Anthony Ruiz.
Raymond Daniels, an undefeated pro kickboxer, made his anticipated professional mixed martial arts debut against MMA veteran, Jeremiah Metcalf.
Results after the jump.

If you haven’t heard, there’s a bit of a buzz surrounding Raymond Daniels, who is making his MMA debut tonight on the Strikeforce card. Daniels is apparently a sixth degree black belt in Kenpo and Shotokan Karate and a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, although that rarely translates well into mixed martial arts. Daniels is coming from Chuck Norris’ World Combat League (woo-hoo) with a 18-0 record and a 16-0 pro kickboxing record. That doesn’t mean much to me, but after watching this video, I’m a little intrigued about how he will fare with someone trying to put him on his ass and pound him out. He’s being called the “the next Cung Le,” but at least Cung Le has a strong wrestling background to keep him off his back so he can throw those fancy spinning kicks.
CR: Fightlinker.com
By the way, Luke Stewart’s bout has been scrapped from the card. His original opponent, Shonie Carter, was injured. The CSAC (surprise, surprise) wouldn’t allow his next opponent, Joe Riggs, to fight on the card due to a prescription drug that Riggs disclosed to the commission (Riggs’ agent, Ken Pavia, explains after the jump). Drew Fickett was then set to replace Riggs until the MFC swooped in and pulled him out the fight since it violated the contract Fickett has with them (double surprise, surprise). Luke Stewart just wasn’t meant to fight tonight.
The latest Strikeforce: Melendez vs Thomson fight card and event info can be found in our fight cards section.
Strikeforce weigh-ins and interviews with Gilbert Melendez, Josh Thomson, Raymond Daniels and Ken Pavia after the jump.
Rounds two and three after the jump.

Two more after the jump.

Strikeforce has announced their next show will take place on June 27, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Reigning Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez will defend his title against challenger Josh Thomson in the main event.
Another title fight between current Light Heavyweight Champion Bobby Southworth and Anthony Ruiz is also in the works for the event.
The show is expected to air on Showtime at 10PM ET.
