Melendez Fights Marcello on March 29
Gilbert Melendez
(Pictures) has chosen his Strikeforce
title over the Dream Grand Prix.
The Cesar Gracie (Pictures) product will reportedly defend his Strikeforce 155-pound title against Cristiano Marcello (Pictures) on March 29. The bout will be part of Strikeforce and Elite XC's co-promotion at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., headlined by the Strikeforce middleweight title bout between Frank Shamrock (Pictures) and Cung Le (Pictures), to be televised live in Showtime.
Both fighters separately confirmed their bout to MMAWeekly.
Melendez was previously expected to face Jorge Masvidal (Pictures), however, a prospective clash with the Floridian was cancelled when Masvidal was injured in his Feb. 23 unanimous decision win over Ryan Healy (Pictures).
Melendez also commented on his withdrawal from the much-anticipated Dream lightweight Grand Prix which commences on March 15 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
"I've got a commitment with Strikeforce, and I look forward to fighting in the States and getting some respect out here," Melendez told MMAWeekly. "I think it's a great opportunity to fight in the Dream tournament. I love fighting in Japan, but right now I have a commitment with Strikeforce."
Dream parent company Fight Entertainment Group have not yet issued a statement on Melendez's withdrawal from the tournament, but are expected to when they finalize their March 15 line-up in the coming days.
The Cesar Gracie (Pictures) product will reportedly defend his Strikeforce 155-pound title against Cristiano Marcello (Pictures) on March 29. The bout will be part of Strikeforce and Elite XC's co-promotion at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., headlined by the Strikeforce middleweight title bout between Frank Shamrock (Pictures) and Cung Le (Pictures), to be televised live in Showtime.
Both fighters separately confirmed their bout to MMAWeekly.
Melendez was previously expected to face Jorge Masvidal (Pictures), however, a prospective clash with the Floridian was cancelled when Masvidal was injured in his Feb. 23 unanimous decision win over Ryan Healy (Pictures).
Melendez also commented on his withdrawal from the much-anticipated Dream lightweight Grand Prix which commences on March 15 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
"I've got a commitment with Strikeforce, and I look forward to fighting in the States and getting some respect out here," Melendez told MMAWeekly. "I think it's a great opportunity to fight in the Dream tournament. I love fighting in Japan, but right now I have a commitment with Strikeforce."
Dream parent company Fight Entertainment Group have not yet issued a statement on Melendez's withdrawal from the tournament, but are expected to when they finalize their March 15 line-up in the coming days.
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