Long considered one of the elite prospects in mixed martial arts, Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal is now ready to prove that he is one of the sport’s best lightweights period, and he went a long way to proving that last night when he took out former EliteXC lightweight champion K.J. Noons at “Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum.”
Masvidal let it be known early in the bout with Noons that he wasn’t afraid to stand and trade with the noted boxer, as he opened a cut on Noons’ forehead that bloodied the former champion late in the first frame. Masvidal nearly finished Noons before the first bell, and he finished out a first round that could have been scored 10-8.
In the second round, Masvidal showed his ever-improving wrestling game by repeatedly taking Noons to the ground at will, winning the second stanza in nearly as dominant a fashion as he won the first. The third round was more of the same, with Masvidal proving that he was the better man on the night, as he took the bout via unanimous decision.
“I felt great last night. KJ is a tough guy but he had nothing on me,” said Gamebred. “I ready for the title shot. I proved that last night and I hope Strikeforce and Zuffa agree.”
With the win, Masvidal now has his sights set on Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, who has been begging for worthy contenders. An elite striker who now possesses an adept ground game, “Gamebred” proved that he is exactly that contender that the champion is looking for.
Melendez has said that he is looking to the UFC for elite competition, but Masvidal wants him to know that there are plenty of fighters in Strikeforce willing to take his title, including the native Cuban himself.
“Masvidal brought his game to another level,” said his manager, Tina Vidal. “He is focused in a way I have never seen him before and he brought his A-game last night. What a fight!”