SAN JOSE, Calif., June 8 — Twenty-four competitors on Friday's Strikeforce card scheduled for this city's HP Pavilion attempted to make weight Thursday evening.
Most, including main event participants Vitor Belfort (Pictures) (209) and Alistair Overeem (Pictures) (210), came in at or under their contracted limit.
James Irvin (Pictures), however, stood on the scale a whopping four and a half pounds over the light heavyweight cut off of 205.
California State Athletic Commission rules mandate that any fighter weighing more than two pounds over the limit would be barred from further cutting. After some deliberation, Irvin's opponent Bobby Southworth (Pictures) agreed to allow the bout to continue. But as part of the quick negotiation $1,500 was switched from Irvin's purse to Southworth's and a $50 fine was levied against the former heavyweight.
Both Strikeforce lightweight champion Clayton Guida (Pictures) and his challenger Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) looked fit. Yet Melendez endured some hassle when the CSAC forced him to take a urine test after it purportedly received an anonymous tip that he was taking substances deemed illegal by the state.
Melendez and his camp vehemently denied the rumors.
Dwayne Woodward, CSAC's chief inspector at the weigh-in, refused comment. When contacted by Sherdog.com, CSAC Executive Director Armando Garcia also declined to elaborate on the unorthodox pre-fight drug test.
Garcia cited California's business and professional code, which "allows any applicant or licensee to undergo additional tests" when the CSAC deemed it necessary.
Duane Ludwig (Pictures) and Tyson Griffin (Pictures) looked ripped at 155.5.
Josh Thomson (Pictures) (154.5) appeared ready for his contest against Hawaiian Harris Sarmiento (Pictures) (155).
Veteran Eugene Jackson (Pictures) (184) saw his opponent Mike Seal (Pictures) step off the scale a half pound over the middleweight limit. Rather than cutting weight or standing on the scale behind a towel, Seal took his $50 fine and called it a night.
Six bouts will be fought with three three-minute rounds:
Daniel Puder (Pictures) (219) takes on Tom Tuggle (Pictures) (247.5); Scott Graham (Pictures) (191) comes it at a significant weight disadvantage versus Jared Hamman (Pictures) (204.5); Bill Duvall (181) faces Luke Stewart (185.5); Clint Coronel (155) matches games with Juan Miranda (154.5); Sean Bassett (Pictures) (155) is challenged by Chris Amarante (Pictures), who came in at 158 and was fined $50 by the CSAC.
