Josh Thomson Injured, April 11 Showtime Title Fight With Gilbert Melendez off

by Kid Nate on Apr 2, 2009 12:32 AM EDT in MMA News

MMA Mania has the scoop:

Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson today broke his foot while training for his first title defense against the man who he defeated to capture it, Gilbert Melendez. Therefore, the highly anticipated rematch on April 11 has been scrapped.

There is no word yet on whether or not a replacement for Thomson can be found in time to challenge "El Nino" on the Showtime card — the first for the promotion since acquiring select assets, including fighter contracts, from Pro Elite earlier this year.

This is potentially a big set back for Strikeforce's debut card on Showtime. I hope they'll be able to find a worthy opponent for Melendez but there's not much time and Thomson's belt won't be on the line.

UPDATE by Chris Nelson - 12:11 AM ET - from a Strikeforce press release:

Strikeforce is searching for a replacement fighter to face the top-ranked Melendez in the live SHOWTIME televised event.

"I was sparring hard and I broke my leg, above my ankle, during an exchange," said the 30-year-old Thomson, who was trading blows with fellow Strikeforce competitor Billy Evangelista when the injury occurred. Thomson is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday and is expected to be out of action for two to three months.

"I'm very upset. All the hard work was done and it was time to fight," said the injured champ. "I was looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans. All I can say is that I'll be back when I get healthy."

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Comments

Paul “Semtex” Daley?

by Nick Thomas on Apr 1, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

he's too big

we need a 155lber….well maybe Semtex could do a 160lb catchweight.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on Apr 1, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

how about billy evangelista he was supposed to be fighting mike aina on the next card

by keith133 on Apr 1, 2009 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

Bang Ludwig. he was supposed to fight Thomson after he beat Edwards. Put him in against El Nino.

I think he may have signed to fight elsewhere though…

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Apr 1, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

Jorge Gurgel vs. Gilbert Melendez sounds good to me!

by Matt13 on Apr 1, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

You know....

I like this a lot.

by banter on Apr 1, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that I doubt Mania...

but I wonder why their report doesn’t cite any kind of source whatsoever.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Apr 1, 2009 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

According to sources, Thomson had a clean break of the ankle, and the unfortunate timing will not only keep him out of the fight with Melendez, but out for an undetermined amount of time with the injury.

-MMAWeekly.

I will play my game beneath the spin light.
Absurd Meridian

by Eugene Schelfaut on Apr 1, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Much better (especially on April 1st).

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Apr 1, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Lame.

by Derek Suboticki on Apr 1, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

April fool'd or no?

by LiuLang on Apr 1, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Shit, I hope so cuz this sucks donkey dick. :(

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Apr 1, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

That card is seriously lacking now. And it’s not like a typical UFC card where their undercard fights are good enough to be bumped up. Their undercard fights are multiple levels below the television card.

Growing pains for Strikeforce. I have a feeling this is going to be a constant trend for this company until they can get some more talent.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Apr 1, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Growing pains for Strikeforce

They have been around for awhile man.

But I would say this is a terrible blow to their new spot light.

by banter on Apr 1, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

No crap they have been around.

Being really a one arena promoter and now trying to go national… That is some serious growing pains.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Apr 1, 2009 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

This definatly isn’t good news at all, it will be interesting to see what they come up with in the next ten days to cover it with.

by who me on Apr 1, 2009 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

damn it, i was really looking forward to this fight. The last one was awesome.

by J_Maddux on Apr 2, 2009 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

Ah, Fudge.

by mma is #1 on Apr 2, 2009 12:07 AM EDT reply actions

Not funny

If this is April Fools…I have tickets to this show and they already had one big setback. If this is true I hate life.

by Farthammer on Apr 2, 2009 12:13 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry to say but it’s no April Fools, Strikeforce just sent out a press release.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Apr 2, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

So...

it went:

Broken Foot – Mania
Broken Ankle – Weekly
Broken Leg – Strikeforce Press Release

The break is on the move!

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 2, 2009 12:27 AM EDT reply actions

This sucks

I was really looking forward to this fight. I hope they find a legit opponent for Melendez because I love to watch him fight. Hopefully, if Melendez wins his fight they can make it happen in the future

by GroundNPound561 on Apr 2, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions