Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy Showtime Main Card Released
Strikeforce on Wednesday firmed up the full Showtime main card for Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy slated for Sept. 29 in Sacramento, Calif.
The main event, of course, features Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez putting his belt on the line against top contender Pat Healy.
“There’s no doubt that Gilbert Melendez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but he’s facing a tough test when he defends the Strikeforce lightweight title against Pat Healy in Sacramento,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said.
“Pat has been around the sport a long time and has put together an impressive winning streak. This is the biggest fight of his life and he doesn’t want to waste this opportunity.”
The rest of the card is fleshed out by several Strikeforce veterans and dotted with some new faces as well.
Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Guto Inocente looks to keep his perfect record intact as he faces the always-dangerous Gian Villante.
Josh Thomson, fresh off of a split decision loss to Melendez, returns to the cage to square off with impressive lightweight prospect Caros Fodor, who lost to Healy his last time out.
Mike Kyle is back in the cage after having a submission loss to Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante turned to a “no contest” after Feijao tested positive for a banned substance. He faces Strikeforce newcomer and Alistair Overeem training partner Dion Staring, who is riding a five-fight winning streak and has more than 30 bouts to his credit.
Isaac Vallie-Flagg carries an 11-fight unbeaten streak with him into the cage to face Brazilian Adriano Martins, who makes his promotional debut on the strength of a 23-6 professional record.
Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy airs live on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET (delayed on the West Coast) with the preliminary fight card live on Showtime Extreme at 8 p.m. ET. Tickets are currently on sale.
