Strikeforce Cancels Show After Gilbert Melendez Suffers Training Injury

The injury bug has now claimed Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, which has led to the promotion canceling Saturday night’s event that was scheduled to air on Showtime from Sacramento.

According to Strikeforce officials, Melendez suffered a training injury that forced him out of his bout with Pat Healy this Saturday night, and Showtime officials opted not to air the remaining portion of the card without the main event in tact.

“When Showtime informed us that it would not be airing the event, we made the difficult decision to cancel Saturday’s card in Sacramento,” Strikeforce CEO Coker said in a press release issued late Sunday night.

“Without a television partner, we simply could not move forward with this event. We wish Gilbert a speedy recovery and will work diligently and quickly to reschedule the fighters affected by this news on upcoming cards.”

The cancellation of the card marks the second Zuffa owned show scrapped in the past month due to injuries.

UFC 151 was cancelled prior to its scheduled Sept 1 date when Dan Henderson suffered an injury, and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones did not accept a late notice replacement fight against Chael Sonnen.

It appears in this case with Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez suffering the injury, there was no secondary option for the promotion to plug in as a new main event.

Refunds for tickets will be given at the point of sale according to Strikeforce officials.

MMAWeekly.com will have more information on this cancellation as well as the fighters affected in the coming days.