411's Strikeforce on NBC Report 02.23.09
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 02.23.2009
Strikeforce presents The Best of Lightweight Champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson.
Strikeforce on NBC presents an episode dedicated to champion Josh Thomson. Our hosts for the show are Lon McEachern (of ESPN's World Championship of Poker) and Ken Shamrock. Today, Josh Thomson's record stands at 16-2-1 with half of those wins coming by way of submission.
To kick off the show, a video feature on Thomson shows the man talking about himself. Included in the clips is a rather funny picture of Thomson in the cage wearing a shirt that reads "Frank Glamrock is my %itch!"
Our first fight is Thomson's most recent contest and his first since becoming the Strikeforce lightweight champion.
Strikeforce: At The Mansion II September 20th, 2008
Josh Thomson (15-2-1) vs. Ashe Bowman (9-3)
This is a non-title fight, therefore it is three rounds. Herb Dean is the referee.
Bowman looks a bit hesitant to stand and trade. Thomson lands a left high kick followed by a left low kick. Bowman looks to work Thomson's legs with kicks. Thomson lands a beautiful superman punch that knocks Bowman down. Thomson lands some punches on the ground and the referee stops the fight.
Your winner by TKO is Josh Thomson at 1:14 of the first round.
Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni June 22nd, 2007
Josh Thomson (11-2-1) vs. Nick Gonzalez (12-4)
Thomson has a four-inch height advantage. Herb Dean is the referee, yet again.
Gonzalez starts off with a few jabs while Thomson sends a left high kick to the stars. Thomson is almost too fast in the cage. He throws a superman punch that misses and immediately attempts a takedown, but Gonzalez gets away. They trade some strikes until Thomson grabs a hold of Gonzalez and takes him down. Thomson has his back. Gonzalez is trying to break his way out of Thomson's grip. Thomson rides Gonzalez as he attempts to reverse positions. Thomson lands a few strikes. Thomson locks on the rear naked choke, loses it, then locks it in again. It's deep! Gonzalez taps out.
Your winner by submission (rear naked choke) is Josh Thomson at 1:42 of the first round.
Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion September 29th, 2007
Josh Thomson (12-2-1) vs. Adam Lynn (11-7)
*This fight is joined in ogress about halfway through the first round*
Both men are standing. Lynn rushes forward with a left but Thomson backs away. The Punk tries a front kick followed by a high kick, misses and slips to the floor. Lynn for some reason lets Thomson back up to his feet. Lynn throws an uppercut and they clinch against the cage. Lynn throws a pair of knees from the clinch. Thomson returns the favor. Lynn has trouble taking Thomson down. Thomson gets out with a nice knee. Thomson lands a big punch and Lynn goes down. Thomson pounces on him and throws bombs. Finally after about five or eight punches, the referee stops the fight.
Your winner by TKO (strikes) is Josh Thomson at 4:45 of the first round.
Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson June 27th, 2008
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez (14-1) vs. Josh Thomson (14-2-1)
This championship fight was set for five rounds. We cannot see the entire fight (half-hour show) but Lon McEachern explains, Thomson controlled the fight with takedowns and effective striking (leg kicks).
*We join the championship fight at the start of the 5th round with Melendez needing a finish to win the fight and retain his championship*
Herb Dean is the referee (the man knows what he's doing).
Gilbert Melendez looks a bit drained as he's bouncing around on legs that have been battered earlier in the fight. Thomson attempts a single-leg takedown and gets it. Melendez is breathing with his mouth agape, he's tired. Thomson takes his back. Melendez gets to his feet and separates from the challenger. Thomson still full of energy, walking in circles and looking for strikes. Thomson lands a leg kick. Melendez is just too tired to land a knockout blow here.
Thomson backs away from Melendez, then lands a jab. Melendez's strikes are not packing a powerful punch at all. Thomson clinches Melendez against the cage. Under two minutes left. Thomson's strategy here is brilliant as he's not giving the champion a chance to win. Melendez is pushing the pace but simply cannot land any powerful punches. Thomson ducks his strikes and lands more strikes including a big jab. Thomson goes for the takedown, gets it and returns to his feet. Thomson lands a big front kick. Melendez will not quit. Thomson's nose is bloodied and he gets another takedown. Thirty seconds left. Melendez is exhausted and Thomson clinches him. As soon as the bell sounds, they hug. Thomson took the round with so many takedowns, 10-9.
All three judges score the fight the same way, 50-45...
Your winner by decision (unanimous) is the NEW Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, Josh Thomson!
