Report: Strikeforce Champ Melendez Backs Out Of Second Straight Healy Booking | MMA NEWS

Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez, has reportedly fallen off the final Strikeforce event with the same nagging shoulder injury that forced him out of his last bout.

Melendez was originally scheduled to defend his title against Strikeforce number one contender Pat Healy in September; however, news of an injury and subsequent withdrawal from the bout forced the postponement of his return and subsequent cancellation of the entire event.

The Strikeforce January show was expected to be headlined by the lightweight title fight, but with news of this never ending ailment the headliner will likely shift to a welterweight or middleweight title bout.

Melendez coach, Cesar Gracie, revealed to Tatame.com that his athlete will now focus on a shift to the UFC and as a result will never defend his Strikeforce title again.