PRO MMA (promma.info) has learned from Strikeforce officials that Rodrigo Damm will step in for Strikeforce Lightweight champion Josh Thomson this Saturday against Gil “El Nino” Melendez.
Damm (8-2) comes in as a late replacement for Thomson, who broke his leg during a training session Wednesday last week.
Thomson and Melendez had been set to meet in a highly anticipated rematch following their five round bout last June.”The Punk” took the title from Melendez and the two lightweight’s had been pegged to be the co-headliner for Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz.
While Thomson’s injury has been reported to keep him out of action for two to three months, Strikeforce, apparently did not want to keep one of their top divisions on hold.
Prior to losing to Eiji Mitsuoka, Damm had won eight straight bouts. Damm’s defeated Jorge Masvidal at Sengoku-Third Battle via TKO for his last victory in June of last year. Damm has not fought in the last eight months.