A new and improve Gilbert Melendez ready to take on Shinya Aoki at Strikeforce: Nashville
Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez has been giving his final thoughts on taking on his opposite number from DREAM this weekend at Strikeforce: Nashville, Shinya Aoki, saying he feels like a new and improved version of himself heading into this one.
Speaking via MMAWeekly.com, Melendez said:
“I’m committed that this is my career now. I’m a mixed martial artist. This is what’s going to put food on my table. This is going to take care of my girl, my unborn baby. This is what I’m going to do for the rest of my career. I’m focused, and with all that focus comes structure, and hard work and all that stuff. I think it’s fair to say I’m a new man; I’m a new fighter.”
On the fight itself with Aoki, Melendez said:
“It’s one of those things where I didn’t think it was going to happen. In my heart I wanted it to happen, I believed it was possible, it just didn’t seem like the biggest star in Japan would be coming to America to fight me, but it’s happening and I’m very excited.”
“I’ve never fought anyone in the cage that has that game plan, but I have a really good team, and I believe the Diaz brothers can simulate a lot of stuff on the ground, and something Jake (Shields) likes to do is he likes to bring it to the ground as well. I think Jake has a way better stand-up game than Shinya, but Jake is a guy who likes to bring it to the ground a lot as well.”
“I can’t guarantee victory, but I guarantee I’ll be ready to fight every single time I go out there from here on out.”
The Strikeforce card from Nashville this Saturday night on CSB will feature another two massive title fights as light heavyweight champion, Gegard Mousasi takes on the always colourful, “King Mo” Lawal, while Dan Henderson challenges Jake Shields for the middleweight crown.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
Comments
