The co-main event of Strikeforce: "Diaz vs. Daley" featured a rematch of a PRIDE "shocker," that saw Gilbert Melendez take out Tatsuya Kawajiri in a back-and-forth war of attrition.
The stakes were much higher this time around, with "El Nino" putting his lightweight title up for grabs, not to mention his standing as a top ranked 155-pound fighter.
History repeated itself tonight -- at least in terms of the result, as Melendez took home the win to retain his lightweight championship.
What he also did was absolutely "crush" Kawajiri, dropping him in the first round, rocking him early and often and never letting up.
He even finished the fight using some devastating elbows. Thanks, Zuffa!
Right out of the gate, "El Nino" dropped Kawajiri with a big right hand and it didn't look like the Japanese fighter was ever the same. He was noticeably slower, unable to avoid the lighting fast uppercuts and overhand rights coming his way.
Melendez threatened with a submission as well but gave it up quickly, deciding instead to pound out his opponent.
When asked what was different from the first fight, Gil simply said, "I'm a man now."
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