· Gilbert Melendez vs. Shinya Aoki Scheduled For Strikeforce On CBS

· Article author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Posted on 03/01 at 09:11 PM

A matchup between Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez and Dream Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki has been announced for April 17 in Nashville, Tennessee. The battle of champions is slated to air live on CBS. Two additional title bouts, Gegard Mousasi vs. Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal and Jake Shields vs. Dan Henderson, are included on the card.

Melendez (17-2) is a two-time Strikeforce lightweight champion. After losing his crown to Josh Thomson in 2007, he then fought for the interim title which he won by knockout over Rodrigo Damm. While Thomson was still recovering from his injuries, Melendez defended his interim title against the only other man to hold a victory over him, Mitsuhiro Ishida. Melendez and Thomson finally met again at “Strikeforce: Evolution” in one of the best bouts of 2009. Melendez was able to take a unanimous decision over Thomson and unify the titles.

Dream champion, Aoki (23-4) is riding a six-fight win-streak at lightweight, which has seen him submit the likes of Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez, Joachim Hansen, and Sengoku Lightweight Champion Mizuto Hirota. After losing in a championship bout to former adversary Joachim Hansen in 2008, Aoki went on a four-fight win-streak in the lightweight division and eventually took the gold from Hansen in a rubber match at Dream 11.