Below is a link to an outstanding 5 minute feature on former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion, "El Nino" Gilbert Melendez, which is running on NBC Sports Online:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/26208187#26208187

I think you will find it to be very entertaining and inspiring.

Thank you,

Mike Afromowitz
Strikeforce
www.strikeforceusa.net

Trigg Takes Aim At Vitale, Ludwig Eyes “Payback” At Strikeforce Debut In Denver

SAN JOSE, Calif. —Mixed martial arts (MMA) sensation Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg (16-6) will face off with Hawaiian star Falaniko “Niko” Vitale (26-8) and knockout artist Duane “Bang” Ludwig (16-8) will attempt to avenge a previous defeat at the hands of “The Ultimate Fighter” season three veteran, Sam “The Squeeze” Morgan (19-10), when Strikeforce ventures to Denver, Colorado’s Broomfield Events Center on Friday, October 3rd.

SAN JOSE, Calif. —Strikeforce World Light Heavyweight (205 lb. limit) Champion Bobby Southworth (9-5) will face the greatest challenge of his nine-year mixed martial arts (MMA) career when he puts his belt on the line against superstar Renato “Babalu” Sobral (30-7) at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, September 20th.

SAN JOSE, Calif. —Former Pride Fighting Championship Grand Prix winner, Kazuo “Grabaka Hitman” Misaki (22-8-1) will take on fellow middleweight wonder Joe “Diesel” Riggs (28-10) at Strikeforce mixed martial arts’(MMA) highly-anticipated return to the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday, September 20th.

SAN JOSE, Calif. —Strikeforce mixed martial arts (MMA) will return to entertainment mogul Hugh Hefner’s world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, CA with a star-studded lineup of cage fights on Saturday, September 20th.

In addition to a full night of MMA action, all “Strikeforce At The Mansion II” guests will be entitled to a top-shelf, open bar; buffet-style, gourmet dinner; and wine-tasting party featuring the spirits of various California gold medal wineries.

SAN JOSE, Calif. --- Jeff Shamrock, nephew of MMA Legend Ken Shamrock, has signed a multi-fight deal with world championship fight promotion, Strikeforce. Shamrock’s first fight under the San Jose based organization will be announced soon.
“I am definitely excited to have Ken Shamrock's nephew as a part of the Strikeforce team,” said Strikeforce CEO, Scott Coker. “Jeff possesses that incredible Shamrock strength that his family is known for. I expect great things from Jeff and look forward to his professional debut.”

UNDEFEATED KICKBOXING PHENOM TO MAKE MMA DEBUT AT “MELENDEZ VS. THOMSON”

Former World Combat League superstar already touted as the next Cung Le

SAN JOSE, Calif. —Following a spectacular, undefeated run in Chuck Norris’ World Combat League, 28-year-old kickboxing superstar, Raymond “The Real Deal” Daniels (0-0), will make his long-awaited mixed martial arts (MMA) debut when he takes on Jeremiah Metcalf (8-4) in a middleweight (185 lb. limit) battle at Strikeforce’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” mega-card at HP Pavilion on Friday.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – HDNet, the first national television network broadcasting all of its programming in the high-definition format, will give fans an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the lives and training camps of Strikeforce World Lightweight (155 lb. limit) Champion, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (14-1), and challenger, Josh “The Punk” Thomson (14-2), during a special 30 minute program that premieres Friday, June 13th at 12 a.m EST/9 p.m. PST, two weeks before the two rival forces collide at San Jose’s HP Pavilion.

SAN JOSE, Calif. —“Mr. International” Shonie Carter (39-17-7), a star on Black Entertainment Television (B.E.T.)’s new “Iron Ring” mixed martial arts (MMA) reality series, will return to the cage to battle rising star, Luke Stewart (5-1), in a welterweight (170 lb. limit) showdown at Strikeforce’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” mega-fight card on Friday, June 27th.

SAN JOSE, Calif. —Lightweight (155 lb. limit) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu wonder Nam Phan (14-4) will attempt to hand knockout artist Billy Evangelista (6-0) the first loss of his career during Strikeforce’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” mixed martial arts mega-event at the HP Pavilion on Friday, June 27th.

The 25-year-old Vietnamese-born Phan, recently promoted to the rank of brown belt, is looking to notch his third consecutive victory after stopping Shad Smith and Saad Awad on October 6, 2007 and February 16, 2008, respectively.