Former Icon Sport middleweight champion and UFC star Niko Vitale is set to return at an as of yet announced event scheduled for this Spring under the “Shine Fight’s” banner.

Former UFC lightweight contender turned featherweight Din Thomas is planning a return in a big way this Spring. The rumor running about has been a proposed matchup with one of boxing’s greats in Ricardo Mayorga, who reportedly signed with Shine Fights sometime last year.

Gilbert Melendez:

-Says jokingly, that he calls Josh and himself “even” and they don’t have to do a third.

-Proclaims that he feels as though he and Josh don’t get the respect they deserve amongst those in the media, with rankings and the heavy focus that is drawn by the UFC and away from Strikeforce.

So I’m here sitting in my hotel room just hours before Strikeforce: Evolution , in San Jose, California.

A tall order has been presented by the UFC brass in accordance to their “every fight is a tough fight” mandate.

Most of you at home who may be reading this might not be able to appreciate the gravity of this situation. Some fight-fans are already conscious of two things: WEC and Strikeforce put on excellent shows each time out. And second, two of the respective promotions biggest cards are both being held on December 19th; WEC in Vegas, Strikeforce in San Jose, Cali.

Here’s a little history for the kids….

Once upon a time (blah blah blah)

Am I debating whether UFC 106 actually happened? No!

Fabricio Werdum defeats Antonio Silva, Unanimous Decision

I had initially favored Antonio Silva in this fight and needless to say, it didn’t EXACTLY turn out the way I had anticipated. Early on, it seemed like Silva was working an effective strategy of keeping the action on the feet. The first round saw Silva seemingly overwhelming Werdum with heavy strikes, negating any initiative of taking the fight to the ground. 

 His short lived reign as champion came to the end, as Jorge Santiago’s chin was once agin brought into question.