/cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/564518/gilbert-melendez2.jpg)
And he tells MMA News all about it:
"If (Thomson) said 'knock-knock,' I'd be like, 'hey JZ [Cavalcante] I think you won that fight. That's what I have to say to that.""But you know Josh is cool and I think it makes it look good, the rubber-match, and I'm looking forward to that.
"He said it himself, I'm his kryptonite. So I'm gonna run with that. I feel really confident.
"Great fight tonight -- but honestly -- in my true opinion, I think JZ won that."
Even Josh Thomson himself expressed surprise that one judge awarded him all three rounds of Saturday's fight with Gesias Cavalcante. I wonder how much of champ Gilbert Melendez' opinion about JZ Cavalcante winning the fight had to do with his understandable dread of a third five round fight with Thomson.
As of today it appears that Melendez and Thomson will be one another's career defining opponents. Hopefully Strikeforce can sell the bout with the proper regard for its historical significance. Melendez announced Saturday that he believes he's the #1 lightweight in the sport and the man has a strong case to make that claim.
SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons 2