Strikeforce: Interim Lightweight Champion Winner of Co-Main Event

By MMADieHards.com Staff

San Jose:  MMADieHards.com has learned through a source close to one of the fighters that Saturday’s bout between Lightweight standout Gilbert Melendez (14–2) and last-minute replacement Rodrigo Damm (8–2) will have much more at stake than a win or loss on their records.

According to a source, StrikeForce will bestow the title of interim lightweight champion on the winner of April 11's co-main event.

It's a necessary decision stemming from consecutive injuries to the promotions current champion, Josh Thomson (16–2) that have now forced him to pull out of two scheduled bouts and have kept him out of action since his first and only title defense on Sept. 20 over Ashe Bowman at the famous Playboy Mansion.

With no timetable as to Thomson’s return, accompanied by the lack of reports as to the severity of the broken leg sustained during preparation for his much anticipated re-match with Melendez, the San Jose, CA based promotion was forced to act in some way to keep the title in contention while giving their current champ ample opportunity to heal.

What prompted the promotion to make Saturday’s bout between the two lightweights an interim title fight is unclear, but it is believed to be due to the loss of what is now multiple fighters who hold much of StrikeForce’s star power in Jake Shields, whose bout with Joe Riggs was put on hold, and Josh Thomson due to injury, an injury which nearly added Melendez to the list of the promotions prominent fighters not taking part in the inaugural collaboration between Strike Force and the cable network giant, Showtime.

The evening’s televised card, although missing some of the names synonymous with rapidly growing promotion, still boasts some of the best talent available in mixed martial arts today in Nick Diaz, Benji Radach, Scott Smith, and Chris “Cyborg” Santos.

A formidable televised card still able to solidify its stance as the not only the biggest competition to the UFC, but an opportunity to show proof that it’s production value and level of home-grown talent are equally as competitive.