Strikeforce rocks San Diego with two title fights

Nick Diaz (left) and Paul Daley (right)

The city of San Diego, in the United States, hosts another edition of Strikeforce this Saturday, in the first event after the sale of the organization to the UFC. The show fight program, despite not having Brazilians in action, highlights two title fights. For the lightweight title, North American Gilbert Melendez defends his reign against Japanese Tatsuya Kawajiri.

“I always fight for myself, but I have to live up to the expectations of my fans and my friends, so I'm looking forward to seeing them all smiling after the fight,” said a confident Kawajiri. Melendez, who is trained by Brazilian César Gracie, is happy to return to the Octagon after a series of injuries.

“I’m healthy and excited to fight again. I want to get there and finish him off”, said the champion.

In the welterweight title fight, Nick Diaz, also trained by Cesar Gracie, will put his title on the line against the controversial Englishman Paul Daley. During the weigh-in for the fight, held on Friday night (8), the atmosphere became tense and the fighters almost attacked each other on the stage.

Check out the video of the weigh-in above Nick Diaz and Paul Daley

The event's fight program also features prominent names from world MMA, such as the Armenian Gegard Mousasi which will face Keith Jardine, as well as the Japanese Shinya Aoki, who will face Lyle Beerbohm.

Check out the full event card below:

Main Card

Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley (Fight valid for the welterweight belt)

Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Fight valid for the lightweight belt)

Keith Jardine vs. Gegard Mousasi

Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm

Preliminary Card

Robert Peralta vs. Hiroyuki Takaya

Brett Albee vs. Virgil Zwicker

Saad Awad vs. Joe Duarte

AJ Matthews vs. Herman Terrado

Edgar Cardenas vs. Rolando Perez

Casey Ryan vs. Paul Song