Strikeforce Cancels Sept. 29 Event After Gilbert Melendez Withdraws Due To Injury

For the second time in less than one month, ZUFFA has canceled a formally announced event just days before it was supposed to take place.

On Sunday night, Strikeforce executives issued a press release stating the Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy event planned for Saturday, Sept. 29 at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, Calif. has been cancelled.

According to the release, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, who was set to defend his title against Pat Healy, sustained an injury in training that forced his withdrawal from the card.

Without the Melendez-Healy title bout in place to headline the card, Showtime, which determines which fights are televised on the premium network, decided that it would not air Saturday’s scheduled event.

“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 Scott Coker said. “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.”

Just six days before the event was scheduled to take place, the 20 fighters slated for the card will not compete. It is unknown at this time if they will be paid.

The press release also states refunds for tickets purchased are available at point of sale.

Prior the cancellation of the event, the card was supposed to take place as follows:

Main Card (Showtime)
Lightweight Championship Bout: Gilbert Melendez (Champion) (21-2) vs. Pat Healy (28-16)
Light Heavyweight Bout: Gian Villante (10-3) vs. Guto Inocente (6-0)
Lightweight Bout: Josh Thomson (19-5) vs. Caros Fodor (7-2)
Lightweight Bout: Isaac Vallie-Flagg (13-3-1) vs. Adriano Martins (23-6)
Welterweight Bout: Jorge Santiago (25-10) vs. Quinn Mulhern (18-2)

Preliminary Card (Showtime Extreme)
Lightweight Bout: Jorge Gurgel (14-8) vs. Mizuto Hirota (14-5-1)
Woman’s Bantamweight Bout: Amanda Nunes (7-2) vs. Cat Zingano (6-0)
Light Heavyweight Bout: Mike Kyle (19-8-1, 2 NC) vs. Dion Staring (28-7)
Welterweight Bout: Nah-Shon Burrell (8-2) vs. Yuri Villefort (6-1)
Lightweight Bout: Estevan Payan (13-3) vs. Michael Bravo (7-3)