By: Carlos Arias (The Orange County Register) Dec, 15, 2011
Who is the best lightweight in the world of mixed martial arts?

Many observers would say UFC 155-pound champion Frankie Edgar, but there is a case to be made for Strikeforce 155-pound champion Gilbert Melendez. “El Nino” is 19-2, he has avenged both of his losses and he is 7-1 in title bouts. He holds victories over Clay Guida, Mitsuhiro Ishida, Josh Thomson,...

By: Tristen Critchfield Dec, 15, 2011
When Gilbert Melendez used elbows on the ground to finish Tatsuya Kawajiri in April, it was like a breath of fresh air for the Strikeforce lightweight champion. Prior to the UFC’s purchase of Strikeforce earlier this year, elbows on the ground were not allowed by the California-based promotion. With the unified...

By: Jordan Breen Dec, 14, 2011
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by MMARising.com founder Robert Sargent.

Breen and Sargent examine Saturday's forthcoming Strikeforce 145-pound women's title bout between...

By: Mike Fridley Dec, 14, 2011

Dec, 13, 2011

By: Brian Knapp Dec, 13, 2011
The once-beaten Hiroko Yamanaka will carry an eight-fight winning streak into her promotional debut at Strikeforce “Melendez vs. Masvidal” on Saturday at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. There, the 33-year-old Japanese standout, who has avenged the only defeat of her career, will challenge...

Dec, 13, 2011

By: Brian Knapp Dec, 13, 2011
A quick look inside the Valley View Casino Center …

Location: San Diego
Built: 1966
Cost: $6.5 million
Seating Capacity: 16,100
Architect: Robert Breitbard

The Valley View Casino Center, formerly the San Diego Sports Arena, welcomes its third major mixed martial arts show on Saturday, as Strikeforce “Melendez vs. Masvidal” touches down in San Diego. The event, which will air on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/PT, will feature two five-round title fights, as lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez defends his crown against American Top Team’s Jorge Masvidal and women’s featherweight champion Cristiane Santos puts her belt on the line against Japanese import Hiroko Yamanaka. Rounding out the televised card, Dream light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi will collide...

Nov, 11, 2011
MMA handicapper Nick Kalikas breaks down the Gilbert Melendez vs. Jorge Masvidal fight at Strikeforce "Melendez vs. Masvidal" with professional MMA bettor Fight Ghost and Sherdog.com radio personality Jon Luther.