Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will defend his title against Pat ‘Bam Bam’ Healy on September 29th in Sacramento, California.
Considered one of top five lightweights in the world, Melendez has been in need of a fresh challenge after brushing aside a string of challengers like Josh Thomson, Jorge Masvidal, Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri. at 155lbs in the Strikeforce cage over the past few years during a seven fight winning streak.
Meanwhile Healy has been quietly and efficiently going about his business, racking up a five fight unbeaten stretch against the likes of Lyle Beerbohm, Maximo Blanco and Caros Fodor.
Not perhaps the sort of names that would generally lead to talk of title contention, especially against someone of Melendez stature, but with Strikeforce’s lightweight roster being a little on the thin side Healy’s the man on form and so he’ll get his opportunity to shine.
