Gilbert Melendez pulls out the split decision over Josh Thomson to complete the trilogy

Gilbert Melendez pulls out the split decision over Josh Thomson to complete the trilogy

Gilbert Melendez pulls out the split decision over Josh Thomson to complete the trilogy

Jason Nawara

May 19 |19:26

Last Updated on Sat, 19 May 2012 20:59

There are big budget seventy five minute Hollywood action movies that aren't as entertaining and high-octane as the Melendez/Thomson trilogy. Yep, they did it again. Another twenty five minute MMA spectacle that went up, down and all around the cage in a fittingly drama filled finale. Hundreds of strikes were thrown, submissions were threatened and a split decision victory was awarded to Gilbert Melendez amongst the boos of the San Jose crowd.

Fifteen rounds of Gilbert/Thomson and we still want more.

The only way to satisfy my craving for more Melendez/Thomson action is by watching all three fights in a row right now while skipping rope and drinking Nos. It seems like the right thing to do. Here's the Twitterverse's reaction to the split decision nod to Gil.

USA Today fills us in on the post fight presser:

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Comments

+24 # TDM 2012-05-19 20:26

Some people are going to have to re-think that whole #1 LW in the world argument for Gil.

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+13 # Guest 2012-05-19 21:22

If anyone cares to try and argue that Gil is the #1 LW, or that he has credentials to put him anywhere near the #1 spot, please explain how his recent level of competition justifies that ranking...

rankings of Gil's recent opponents (from fight magazine, since most places don't go down far enough!!!)
26. Josh Thomson
27.Jorge Masvidal
36- (at FW) Ishida

NOT RANKED IN TOP 50
Rodrigo Damm
Gabe Lemley

Far some retarded reason, Kawajiri IS ranked 10.. WTF???

anyway…. there is a HUGE difference between the UFC LWs fighting top ranked guys every fight, and Gil fighting guys outside the top 25 or even the top 50

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-14 # Guest 2012-05-19 23:07

Quoting Dinglenuts MAgee:

If anyone cares to try and argue that Gil is the #1 LW, or that he has credentials to put him anywhere near the #1 spot, please explain how his recent level of competition justifies that ranking...

rankings of Gil's recent opponents (from fight magazine, since most places don't go down far enough!!!)
26. Josh Thomson
27.Jorge Masvidal
36- (at FW) Ishida

NOT RANKED IN TOP 50
Rodrigo Damm
Gabe Lemley

Far some retarded reason, Kawajiri IS ranked 10.. WTF???

anyway…. there is a HUGE difference between the UFC LWs fighting top ranked guys every fight, and Gil fighting guys outside the top 25 or even the top 50

you are an idiot.i wanted to explan why you are wrong but my english is not enough for that.

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+2 # Guest 2012-05-19 23:22

rankings for idiots.style makes fights.thomson is tough and talented fighter.they knew melendez better than anyone.also they trained together few times before.just like pac man vs marquez.he beats people who ranked higher than marquez easily but when he faces marquez shit got competetive also gilbert has huge pressure on him everyone wants him to demolish everyone on sf.thats not how it works buddy.i think you are an idiot.

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-10 # Guest 2012-05-20 08:45

You my friend are a complete moron. Who the fuck did pac beat ranked higher than marquez? Margarito? Mosely? Clottey, de la hoya? They aint ranked in the pound for pound rankings you moron!! Pac aint shit coz he fights at a catchweight so Go fuck yourself, idiot!

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+1 # Guest 2012-05-20 13:12

lovely post ddier

You said absolutely nothing regarding how Gil's record justifies a top ranking, but thanks for sharing your thoughts on boxing....

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+8 # Guest 2012-05-19 23:52

did you watch bj penn vs nick diaz.?according to last performances how the hell is bj penn even top 100?kj noons did 100x better than bj penn.so kj>bj.and kj noons is the top 5 at ww and lw ok?

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+10 # Guest 2012-05-20 01:25

People need to deal with the fact that Gil is just not that great.

His striking is mediocre and sloppy, he has decent cardio and ok wrestling, and against B level competition, that is enough to get you a nice little win streak.

and I feel bad for you if you can't recognize that level of competition does matter. Strikeforce is a joke. Have fun watching Gil vs Josh 4

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-16 # Guest 2012-05-20 06:10

still can beat frankie and ben henderson.

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-8 # Guest 2012-05-20 06:15

i bet masvidal can k.o half of the ufc lws.pettis kos luazon and suddenly thinks he is top five.masvidal koed luazon 7 years ago.gilbert dominated clay guida 5 rounds who pettis lost and everyone thinks pettis top 5 and gil not.you have tou wake up buddy.i ll not argue with you anymore because i m sure you are an idiot.

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+2 # Guest 2012-05-20 11:15

That's cute that you think Masvidal would do so well... unfortunately he has a losing record against top 50 opponents and several losses to guys that don't even make the top 50.

Again, looking good against unranked fighters and performing well consistently against top level guys are way different.

Shields and Sexyama both came into the UFC with huge win streak, both are sub .500 UFC fighters, Nick Diaz goes on a huge streak outside the UFC but sports a 7-5 record in the octagon, Gomi is 2-3 in the UFC, Cro Cop is 6-7 in the UFC, Shogun is 4-4

Great outside the UFC doesn't mean that much. You would think people would figure that out by now.

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0 # TheFuckingBest 2012-05-23 15:14

Sorry ddier but people improve, iron sharpens iron. You cant even compare guida from then to now he has improved to top 5 capabilities.

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0 # Guest 2012-05-20 06:18

still more entertaining then ufc.have fun watchin gsp,fitch,kosch eck lays people 5 rounds.or have fun jbj backpeddaling and counter punching guys who is fighting below his natural weight class.i watch ufc sometimes when i cant sleep.

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-1 # Guest 2012-05-20 10:56

Entertaining, sure. I enjoyed the card, SF is good like that, but the level of competition is no where close. Lower level fights are usually more entertaining and lead to more finishes and blood etc.... I'm not anti SF, I watch all the fights, I just don't see the point in pretending that SF fighters are on the level of UFC guys or that wining there justifies being ranked in the top 5, that's all I'm saying.

Guys that fight for SF titles are frequently not even top 20. You don't get a shot at the belt in the UFC without taking out ranked opponents and you don't get to defend a title against guys outside the top 25.

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+2 # Guest 2012-05-19 20:30

i thought he lost but lets get Melendez v Edgar

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+9 # Guest 2012-05-19 20:44

Close fights and the word "robbery" don't go together.

That fight was close. I had it for Thompson but i'm not a judge.

GIl had it right... He lost by winning and Thomson won by losing.

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+7 # Guest 2012-05-19 20:51

Had Thomson as well, razor close though. Great fight!

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+8 # DockEllis 2012-05-19 21:02

I guess I'm the only one who thought it was clearly Gil 3 - Josh 2.

Although what do I know, I'm posting on a mma website at 12 AM instead of having a "real life"

Great fight either way.

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+3 # Guest 2012-05-19 21:29

there are definitely different ways the MATCH could have been scored.

Round one, could have gone either way, probably the swing round in the split decision.

Round 4 (I think)... could have been 10-8 Josh for near finish, I personally would rather see more 10-8 rounds, as all rounds are NOT equal.

anyway, even with Gil "clearly winning 3-2" it still could have been a draw. and the first round could have been 10-10 or 10-9 Josh, so that could result in a draw or Josh winning.

Very close MATCH. Either guy by 1 point or a draw would all have been within the normal variance of mma judging and hence to robbery.

now as for the "fight" Josh won that pretty clearly, he didn't have a scratch on him, Gil looked like he got prison raped, and Josh had the only near finish...

The 10 point must system sucks.... but we all knew that.

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+5 # DockEllis 2012-05-19 21:48

I agree with you, but knowing how MMA fights are scored, I didn't think there was any other possible outcome other than 3-2.

Josh obviously won under Pride rules.

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-7 # Guest 2012-05-19 23:09

ahaha butthurt fanboy.get the fuck out.4th round 10-8.loled hard bro thanks for the amusement

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-16 # raoulduke666 2012-05-19 21:14

I honestly believe Melendez won that decision. But really, if roles were reversed, and Thomson was the champion, we would have a different winner.

But anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to gloat like a mother fucker because I got #9 out of 1882 subscribers for Sherdog's Pick 'Em from the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix finale. It's not #1, but I feel like a top 10 bad ass

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+21 # Some Guy 2012-05-19 21:40

Fuck Sherdog.

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+5 # FreeLeeMurray 2012-05-19 21:39

Should've been 3-2 Josh. Gil scored takedowns but did nothing, so did Josh. The striking was the key to the whole thing and I think Josh did enough, especially near the end to render the decision in his favor. Wasn't a total fuckup though. Not like Jake Shields vs Martin Kampmann.

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+7 # Guest 2012-05-19 22:24

I still dont understand how anybody could've thought Shields won that fight. I considered the results being rigged by the UFC just to make a GSP/Shields Main event. took me a while to realize "nah... the judges are just genuinely stupid sometimes"

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+4 # FreeLeeMurray 2012-05-19 22:57

No the judges were rigged don't second guess yourself. Here's how it works, the judges are instructed a certain person should win, if it's really close, make it a split decision. But that's not the only way. How many fights have you seen where you're like "wow this shit should've been stood up 2 minutes ago." well it's always because the golden boy is meant to win. GSP is allowed to lay down and do fuck all forever, but if somebody less popular was to do the same... stood up in 30-45 seconds. James Thompson makes a very convincing description of it in his blog. colossalconcern s.com and before you go "thompson's got a glass jaw!" blah blah... yeah well that actually takes him out of the equation. He stands and bangs til he KO's or gets KO'd. The judging and reffing is favored a certain way in some fights. And should the other guy finish the favored fighter? Well GREAT for marketing! He's the guy that finished that fighter! See what I mean?

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+5 # FreeLeeMurray 2012-05-19 23:03

The reason the Shields vs Kampmann judges were rigged should be obvious. They were pushing the Shields vs GSP fight LONG before, and the fact that (can't remember the reason) they had to do a "warm up" fight before hand was detrimental to the bank UFC could make from the Shields vs GSP fight. Which obviously made TONS of money. But Kampmann won that fight against Shields in any realistic sense. Also the UFC is mafia affiliated so you have to understand that the fight odds are going to work in favor of the house better when they can market it better. GSP was obviously going to beat Shields too, so the house wins.

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-1 # FreeLeeMurray 2012-05-19 23:04

All of these posted will get downvoted by idiots who want to deny that anything crooked happens in MMA though, so I hope you, the reasonable person you seem to be, at least take it into consideration regardless.

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+2 # Guest 2012-05-20 05:12

if you feel the need to write essays..

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-7 # Guest 2012-05-19 23:11

gil won 1-2-3 5th was a draw.sorry josh you are a nice guy but gil kicked your ass.and fanboys who got butthurt go look the stats of the fight.

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+1 # FreeLeeMurray 2012-05-19 23:17

5th was a draw is the most ridiculous thing I've ever fucking heard. If anything 1st was a draw. The rest they went even. Josh Thomson clearly won the 4th and 5th. I think he won the 1st too.

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-7 # Guest 2012-05-19 23:34

thomson won nothin.

http://blog.fightmetric.com/2012/05/melendez-vs-thomson-3-official.html

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+3 # Master E 2012-05-20 00:00

Was there and the fans seemed to have it Josh 3-2, I had it Josh 3-2, Gil knew he didn't have a good performance... the only people who thought otherwise were the judges and fight metric. (Surprisingly)

F#$! all the people booing Gil though... WTF is that all about? Boo the decision, but still cheer Gil when he steps up to the mic.

Great fight regardless and props to both for bringing it. Not upset with the decision, but we need another rematch now.

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0 # Tom Hanks 2012-05-20 14:06

Who owns Fightmetric?

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+4 # Guest 2012-05-20 04:33

i had it:

1.draw
2.melendez
3.draw
4.thompson
5.thompson

how did you have the rounds?

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-10 # Guest 2012-05-20 06:10

who is thompson?

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+1 # TDM 2012-05-20 07:17

There were a lot of rumors that Josh was injured coming in to this fight with a knee injury. He had braces on both of them but Gil only threw like one leg kick. I don't know why, if there are rumors that your opponent is actively trying to deny by getting all defensive, why you wouldn't try and do some strikes to the knee. I think there might have been a chance for Gil to win decisively and not have this haunt him. The UFC might not want to bring him in as much anymore and might force him to stick to Strikeforce for another Thompson fight.

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0 # TDM 2012-05-20 11:47

On the other hand, what does it say about Gilbert if Josh was fighting injured and Gil couldn't capitalize and barely won in most people's eyes.

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+5 # Guest 2012-05-20 07:20

Gil might have won using the current points system, but The Punk definitely takes this fight based on the 209 face-damage-met er.

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+1 # TIMinBALTIMORE 2012-05-20 07:23

I had it:
1. Gil
2. Gil
3. Gil
4. Punk
5. Punk
But obviously I thought Josh did way more damage and was close to finishing the fight with the RNC. I thought Gil edged the 1st and 3rd rounds which were both close.

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0 # TheFuckingBest 2012-05-23 15:16

Championship rounds should be worth more on the score cards

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+5 # Guest 2012-05-20 07:30

The LW division is so dynamic that there are about 10 guys who can win on any given night based on who is in the zone and how their styles match up. Either one of these guys can give Bendo or Frankie or Gray (or any other UFC lw) hell on the right night. It was an awesome fight!

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+4 # Guest 2012-05-20 07:46

So is Gilbert Melendez overrated??

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0 # Guest 2012-05-20 08:47

All their history & despite it being a very close fight, you have to give the win to Gil IMO...

The rounds he won (1,2 & maybe 3 & 4) were quite clear cut & Punk was just edging any rounds he took.

You have to go in & take the belt from a Champ, specially with how Gil has done recently... he might not be fighting top 10s but he's been demolishing anyone in front of him, same way Nick Diaz did.

BUT I've lost a chunk of confidence Gil could go and just take the UFC belt, he didn't step it up last night just put in a very strong all-round defense of the belt. Edgar would decision him 100%& I think if Bendo brought it could dominate... that's based on last nights showing.

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+5 # Guest 2012-05-20 09:33

biggest hole in gils game is his lack of kicks, top 10 lightweights will pick him apart standing..

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+2 # FreeLeeMurray 2012-05-20 10:21

I had the first literally... fuck I don't know. Looked like Thompson had a slight edge to me. Militech called it a draw so lets go with what he said. Gil won 2, 3 but not in a dominant fashion. Josh won 4 and 5, with the fourth being a landslide. Close fight but you have to give it to Thompson.

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