"Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson" Results

ERIC JACOB (1-4) VS. ALEXANDER TRIVINO (2-0)

ROUND 1 - Trivino stuffs the early takedown, but Jacob sticks with it and secures the single-leg takedown. Trivino slaps on a guillotine choke as he goes down, but he gives it up in favor of the arm-bar. Jacob tries to stand out of it, but Trivino holds on to force the quick tap-out. Alexander Trivino def. Eric Jacob via submission (arm-bar) -- Round 1, 0:37.

JORGE INTERIANO (1-0) VS. TRAVIS JOHNSON (0-1)

ROUND 1 - Little action early before Interiano connects on some leg kicks. Johnson fires back with one his own. The fighters trade and miss during a slow exchange before Johnson just misses a head kick. Interiano works the jab and then follow with some body punches. Interiano is starting to stalk his opponent now and finished the three-minute round with an exchange that briefly staggers Johnson. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Interiano.

ROUND 2 - After a trading a few jabs, Johnson finally lands a solid shot. Johnson then connects on a right but is tagged with a body punch. Johnson trips after an exchange, but Interiano doesn't chase. Interiano goes back into stalking mode, but Johnson makes him reconsider after connecting on a combination. Johnson has some blood from under his eye as he eats a couple punches during an exchange. The pace slows before Interiano begins teeing off while his opponent is forced against the cage. A big right gets through that again staggers Johnson right before the round ends. Interiano secured the round with the late damage, 10-9.

Before the third round can get underway, the referee waves off the fight. Jorge Interiano def. Travis Johnson via TKO (doctor's stoppage) -- Round 2, 3:00.

JESSE JONES (2-1) VS. CYRILLO PADHILLO (2-2)

ROUND 1 - Padhillo with a big whiff with a right, and Jones goes for the double-leg takedown. He can't get it, and the fighters stalemate in a clinch. Padhillo, though, continues working and finally pulls his opponent's ankles out form under him for the takedown. With no elbows allowed in Strikeforce, Padhillo can do little, and Jones escapes. However, Padhillo cracks him with a big left hook. Padhillo, though, immediately clinches and again works for the takedown. He gets in a final shot before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Padhillo.

ROUND 2 - Padhillo lands a leg kick, but Jones fires back with a quick right. Padhillo then connects on a leg kick before the fighters clinch against the fence. Padhillo gets underhooks and trips his oppponent to the mat. Padhillo throws some shoulder shots while Jones is pinned against the fence and follows with some short punches. Padhillo mixes in some knees to his opponent's backside before the referee stands them up. Jones lunges with punches but misses, but a right hand finally finds it mark. Padhillo showboats as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Padhillo.

ROUND 3 - Jones stuffs an early takedown attempt and nearly connects on a flying knee. After trading leg kicks, the fighters trade punches. Jones come in with an overhand right and then drops his opponent with a follow-up shot. Jones continues raining down shots, but Padhillo ties him and pulls him down to the mat. From the north-south position, Jones looks like he might have a choke, but Padhillo takes top position and falls in his opponent's guard to recover. Jones clings on to him with little action to force the stand-up. Jones conencts on a lunging right but misses on some follow-up power punches. Padhillo dips down and secures the double-leg takedown. Padhillo mugs for the cameras and laughs but does no damage to close out the round. It's 10-9 for Jones, but it should be a 29-28 win for Padhillo. Cyrillo Padhillo def. Jesse Jones via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28).

ALVIN CACDAC (4-4) VS. BRYAN CARAWAY (9-2)

ROUND 1 - Caraway shoots immediately, and moves quickly to side control. Cacdac rolls, and Caraway gets the back. Caraway rolls to his back, and holds Cacdac with a body triangle as he sinks in the rear-naked choke. Cacdac tries to roll, but Caraway controls. Cacdac gives a single, "C.B. Dolloway" tap, and referee Herb Dean calls the bout. Bryan Caraway def. Alvin Cacdac via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round 1, 1:39.

JOSE PALACIOS (3-1) VS. BOBBY STACK (5-1)

ROUND 1 - Stack charges and misses, but keeps the pressure on. Palacios counters with low kicks, and remains calm. Brief stoppage, as a Palacios punch caused Stack to lose his mouthpiece. Palacios throws a few high kicks a la Cung Le, before being taken to the ground. Palacios pulls guard. Stack lands a few punches from top, while Palacios looks unsuccessfully for an armbar, then kimura. The round ends, and MMAjunkie.com gives the very close three-minute round to Palacios 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Stack opens with another takedown, and Palacios falls to guard. Stack lands a few soft blows, but Palacios counters. Palacios continues to look for submissions from the bottom, and eventually rolls out, but gets caught in an armbar. Palacios pulls his arm out quickly, and lands on top as the round comes to a close. Another close round, but MMAjunkie.com gives it to Stack, 10-9.

ROUND 3 - Stack again moves forward, and after missing an initial takedown, lands a nice slam. Stack moves quickly to full mount, and Palacio tries to hold Stack close. Stack postures, and lands a few solid blows. Minimal action, but Stack is dominant in position. Palacios reverses smoothly, and is on top momentarily before Stack rolls again to wind up in Palacios' guard. A few small punches for Stack, and the fight ends. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Stack 10-9, as well as the fight 29-28. Bobby Stack def. Jose Palacios via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

CHRIS CARIASO (7-1) VS. ANTHONY FIGUEROA (4-3)

ROUND 1 - Figueroa misses with a big high kick. Figueroa charges, but Cariaso scores the takedown, and winds up on top. Cariaso lands a few punches while Figueroa is pinned against the cage. Cariaso moves to side control, then eventually to mount. Cariaso works for a kimura, but Figueroa defends and escapes. A brief scramble, but Cariaso ends up on top again in side control. Figueroa looks to stand, but Cariaso controls the head, and keeps the fight on the mat. Figueroa stands up and lands a solid knee. Cariaso clinches, and the round ends. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Cariaso, 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Cariaso moves forward, and scores the immediate takedown, landing in Figueroa's half-guard. Cariaso transitions quickly from mount to north-south, then back to guard. Cariaso lands a few blows, then transitions to side control, then mount. Cariaso is having little trouble with Figueroa on the ground. Few punches are being exchanged, but Cariaso is simply out-wrestling his opponent. Cariaso looks to isolate an arm, but gives it up to maintain position. Cariaso throws punches from the top, and when Figueroa rolls to escape, Cariaso takes the back. A rear-naked choke is in briefly, but Figueroa escapes. It's only momentary, as the choke is back in, and Figueroa is forced to tap. Chris Cariaso def. Anthony Figuero via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round 2, 4:34.

RAYMOND DANIELS (0-1) VS. JEREMIAH METCALF (9-4)

ROUND 1 - Metcalf clinches immediately. Daniels defends, but is taken down. Daniels tries for a guillotine, but Metcalf, after a brief moment of concern, pops his head out. Metcalf is on top, and lands a few short punches. Metcalf is working from Daniels' half-guard, but passes to mount. Daniels tries to hold Metcalf close, but Metcalf postures and rains down punches. The quick three-minute round comes to an end, and Daniels is saved by the bell. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Metcalf, 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Metcalf again clinches and scores the takedown. Daniels, the 34-0 kickboxer is obviously out of his element. Somewhere Joe Rogan can be heard saying "This is Metcalf's world." Metcalf is in mount, and again landing punches. Metcalf works for a triangle from the top, loses it as Daniels rolls, but Metcalf immediately sinks in the rear-naked choke forcing Daniels to tap. Jeremiah Metcalf def. Raymond Daniels via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round 2, 0:59.

ELAINA MAXWELL (2-3) VS. MIESHA TATE (2-1)

ROUND 1 - Quick exchange, then a clinch. Tate earns the takedown, and works from Maxwell's guard. Maxwell works a high guard, and Tate slips out and moves to half-guard, then mount. A few punches from the top from Tate, and Maxwell tries to escape. Tate transitions into a textbook armbar. Maxwell holds her grip to defend with almost a minute remaining in the three-minute round. Maxwell defends by wrapping her legs arond Tate's neck. An apparent tap by Maxwell, but the referee does not intervene. The round comes to a close, and MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Tate, 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Tate immediately shoots in again. Tate starts in guard, then transitions to mount once again. Maxwell tries to use her legs to escape, but Tate stays on top. Maxwell again uses her legs to escape, and a very strange position follows. A scramble, and Maxwell secures Tate's arm with her legs from the bottom. Wild end to the round, but MMAjunkie.com gives the round again to Tate, 10-9.

ROUND 3 - Familiar strategy by Tate, though Maxwell defends the shot. One minute has passed in the three-minute round with no action. Tate continues to work for the takedown. A break is finally called, and Tate shoots in again. This time Maxwell lands on Tate's back. One minute remains, and Maxwell is scrambling for a submission. Maxwell secures the arm, but is unable to extend for a submission as the round comes to an end. MMAjunkie.com gives the final round to Maxwell 10-9, but the fight 29-28 to Tate. Miesha Tate def. Elaina Maxwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

BOBBY SOUTHWORTH (9-5) VS. ANTHONY RUIZ (20-11) -- World light heavyweight title fight

ROUND 1 - Southworth lands a left, then shoots in and scores the takedown. Southworth transitions quickly to side control. Ruiz rolls to escape, and Southworth immediately takes the back, dropping both hooks in. Southworth is on his back, controlling Ruiz. Ruiz defends well, and rolls and reverses the position. Ruiz now works from Southworth's guard, dropping a few big punches. The fighters stand. A clinch, and Southworth scores with another takedown. Ruiz again rolls, and gets caught in an armbar. Ruiz escapes, but gets caught in an omoplata. Ruiz escapes again, and the round comes to an end. MMAjunkie.com awards the first round to Southworth, 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Cautious start to the second. Ruiz moves in and clinches, and eventually scores with a takedown. Southworth pulls guard, tries to stand up, but is held down. Southworth escpaes, circles off the fence, and scores a takedown of his own. Southworth again moves easily to side control. Just as before, Ruiz rolls, and Southworth works to the back. It is only temporary, as Ruiz reverses, and lands on top. Southworth looks a bit winded, perhaps just as Ruiz predicted. Southworth locks in a triangle choke, but Ruiz escapes quickly. After a scramble, Southworth is again on top. A grappling match in the second. Closer round, but MMAjunkie.com again awards the round to Southworth, 10-9.

ROUND 3 - Ruiz shoots in, and eventually earns the takedown. Ruiz works from the top, but Southworth stands. The fighters clinch, and the pace has slowed dramatically. Southworth earns the takedown, and rides Ruiz. Southworth moves to mount, and Ruiz rolls again, giving up his back. Again a reversal, and Ruiz is on top. Not much action to speak of. Southworth stands. Ruiz is bleeding from the nose. Southworth earns another takedown, and another round, despite the lack of action. MMAjunkie.com gives it Southworth, 10-9.

ROUND 4 - Ruiz tries again for a clinch, but Southworth tags him with punches. A second try is successful, and the fighters tie up. Southworth earns the takedown, and tries to hold Ruiz down. The crowd voices its displeasure. If you're in need of a bathroom break, now would be an opportune time. The fighters stand, and Ruiz lands a knee that is very close to Southworth's inappropriate areas, and Southworth complains. Another takedown by Southworth. Ruiz stands, looks to land a heavy punch, but misses and clinches. To the ground, and Southworth works for a kimura. It misses, and Ruiz is on top. Another brief kimura look by Southworth, but Ruiz escapes and stands. Quickly back to the mat, and I'm pretty sure I can predict what will happen in the fifth. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Southworth, 10-9.

ROUND 5 - Ruiz swings wildly. Southworth shoots in, and Ruiz falls to his back. Southworth moves to side control. Ruiz rolls (sound familiar?). Ruiz stands, and Southworth maintains the clinch. Another takedown by Southworth. Southworth isolates Ruiz's arm, but then releases. Southworth rides the position, and lands a few short punches. The crowd realizes they will never have the last 25 minutes of their life back. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Southworth 10-9, and the fight 50-45. Bobby Southworth def. Anthony Ruiz via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47).

BILLY EVANGELISTA (7-0) VS. NAM PHAN (14-5)

ROUND 1 - Both fighters trade early, before clinching against the cage. Evangelista earns the takedown, and Phan pulls guard. Phan tries to stand, but Evangelista keeps the fight on the mat. Evangelista contines to throw punches from the top. Phan tries to roll for an armbar, but Evagelista slides out and maintains control. More ground and pound from Evangelista. Phan grabs the neck, but Evangelista again rains down blows. Phan is unable to escape, and MMAjunkie.com gives the first round to Evangelista, 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Phan attacks with punches, and lands a few heavy shots. Phan throws a knee, then more punches. Evangelista clinches. The fighters seperate, and more shots land from Phan, though Evangelista is countering better at this time. Evangelista loses his mouthpiece, and referee Herb Dean stops the action briefly. On the restart, Evangelista shoots in. Phan works to stand, and Evangelista maintains the clinch, eventually working the fight to the ground once again. Evangelista's head is bleeding profusely. The round comes to an end, and in a close round MMAjunkie.com gives Phan the nod, 10-9.

ROUND 3 - Phan again lands crisp punches before Evangelista shoots in. Phan defends, and the two trade on the feet again. Phan looks much sharper than his opponent on the feet. Evangelista shoots in again, but Phan defends well. Dean calls for action from the fighters. Evangelista finally earns the takedown, and works from Phan's guard. Slow pace, and Dean stands the fight up with a minute left. Phan again lands the better blows, and stuffs a takedown. Another very close round, but MMAjunkie.com awards the round to Evangelista, 10-9, as well as the fight 29-28. Could be a split decision. Billy Evangelista def. Nam Phan via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29).

GILBERT MELENDEZ (14-2) VS. JOSH THOMSON (15-2) -- World lightweight title fight

ROUND 1 - Melendez pushes forward with punches, but Thomson defends. Melendez shoots in, but Thomson reverses the position and scores the takedown. Thomson holds the position on the mat, then throws a few punches before moving to Melendez's half-guard. Referee Herb Dean asks the fighters to work, and Melendez obliges by reversing the position. Thomson stands, and delivers a punch. The fighters look for an opening on the feet, and the round closes. Close round, but MMAjunkie.com gives it to Thomson, 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Melendez stalks Thomson, but Thomson lands a few solid kicks, then a knee. Melendez shoots in, but is unsuccessful. Superman punch by Thomson. Melendez is firing back. A few jabs land for Thomson. Thomson again lands a knee and Melendez shoots in, but Thomson sprawls. Thomson moving forward on the feet. A knee, then a spinning back kick by Thomson. Thomson is looking very sharp with his hands. A takedown by Thomson as the round ends, and MMAjunkie.com gives the second to Thomson, 10-9.

ROUND 3 - Melendez again pushes forward, but Thomson answers with quick, accurate hands. Melendez brawls back, then shoots in, but is stuffed. The pace slows a bit. Thomson slips to the mat, but Melendez allows him to stand. Now Melendez lands a few shots of his own, but Thomson comes right back. Front kick by Thomson scores. Melendez again lands punches, but Thomson answers with another front kick. Thomson now shoots in, an wrestles Melendez to the ground. A scramble back to the feet, and the round comes to a close. Another very close round, but MMAjunkie.com gives it again to Thomson, 10-9.

ROUND 4 - Thomson continues to work the front kick, and stalks Melendez. Again a brief break in action, and aain a few kicks from Thomson. Melendez starts to move forward, but can not get inside the kicks of Thomson. Great footwork displayed by Thomson, as well as more front kicks. Thomson lands a knee, and more front kicks. Thomson shoots in, and earns the takedown while transitioning quickly to side control. Thomson scrambles to the back, and tries for a choke, but Melendez escapes. Thomson stays on the back, and sinks in a rear-naked choke, but time expires. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Thomson, 10-9.

ROUND 5 - Both fighters appear fresh for the final round. Thomson shoots in, and persistance pays off as he works the fight to the mat. Melendez stands. Melendez's corner is yelling, and visibly frustrated, but Thomson dances around Melendez. Thomson again throws a front kick, and the fighters clinch. The pace is slowing, and the combatants look worn from the pace. Melendez pushes forward, and Thomson evades. Thomson lands a nice knee, then earns a takedown. Back on the feet, and the fighters are wearing down as time is expiring. The fight finishes with a small flurry, and MMAjunkie.com gves the final round to Melendez 10-9. It wll not be enough though, as MMAjunkie.com has awarded the bout to Thomson, 49-46. Josh Thomson def. Gilbert Melendez via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).

JESSE GILLESPIE (1-1) VS. ERIC LAWSON (5-2)

ROUND 1 - Just seconds into the fight, the action is halted so Gillespie can have his glove checked. Lawson with the early takedown. After a scramble, Lawson quickly takes his opponent's back, and Gillespie's face explodes with blood. He quickly taps. Eric Lawson def. Jesse Gillespie via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round, 1:03.