Ishida Camp Accuses Melendez of ‘Greasing’
Loretta Hunt Aug 17, 2009
A representative for Mitsuhiro
Ishida made a verbal protest Saturday against Gilbert
Melendez, claiming the Strikeforce interim lightweight champion
was “greased” during their rematch at “Carano vs. Cyborg” at the HP
Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
California State Athletic Commission Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas told Sherdog.com that the representative interrupted a meeting for officials held shortly after the event to make the proclamation, and was asked to leave the closed-door gathering.
Melendez, 27, blasted past Ishida during their championship bout
Saturday, scoring a third-round technical knockout after the
Japanese fighter failed on numerous occasions to ground the
champion. Ishida absorbed ample punishment from the striker
standing, and was dropped by a body knee in the third before
Melendez coaxed out the stoppage on the canvas.
Douglas said his agency would not inform Melendez of the complaint unless it became official.
Douglas said Ishida’s camp has five days to file an official protest, and has not heard from the group since Saturday.
Melendez seemed surprised by the accusations when reached by Sherdog.com Monday.
“I did not grease in the fight,” said Melendez. “The athletic commission was with me the whole time. I didn’t bring any grease with me. I didn’t think there was much grappling in the fight anyway.”
Melendez, 27, lost a unanimous decision to Ishida in their first encounter at Yarennoka in December 2007, but had little issue with the southpaw wrestler on Saturday.
“It’s kind of funny, but kind of weak,” he said. “I beat him good and there’s no way I greased.”
Greasing allegations dominated the headlines last February, after B.J. Penn accused Georges St. Pierre and his cornermen of misconduct between rounds during a championship bout at UFC 94 in Las Vegas. After an investigation, the Nevada State Athletic Commission did not call a disciplinary hearing for the Canadian and his team.
”Ever since the Penn-St. Pierre fight, our inspectors have been duly trained to be very attentive to what’s happening backstage and in the corner,” said Douglas.
California State Athletic Commission Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas told Sherdog.com that the representative interrupted a meeting for officials held shortly after the event to make the proclamation, and was asked to leave the closed-door gathering.
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Douglas said his agency would not inform Melendez of the complaint unless it became official.
“In order for it to be considered official, we have to have
something in writing,” said Douglas.
Douglas said Ishida’s camp has five days to file an official protest, and has not heard from the group since Saturday.
Melendez seemed surprised by the accusations when reached by Sherdog.com Monday.
“I did not grease in the fight,” said Melendez. “The athletic commission was with me the whole time. I didn’t bring any grease with me. I didn’t think there was much grappling in the fight anyway.”
Melendez, 27, lost a unanimous decision to Ishida in their first encounter at Yarennoka in December 2007, but had little issue with the southpaw wrestler on Saturday.
“It’s kind of funny, but kind of weak,” he said. “I beat him good and there’s no way I greased.”
Greasing allegations dominated the headlines last February, after B.J. Penn accused Georges St. Pierre and his cornermen of misconduct between rounds during a championship bout at UFC 94 in Las Vegas. After an investigation, the Nevada State Athletic Commission did not call a disciplinary hearing for the Canadian and his team.
”Ever since the Penn-St. Pierre fight, our inspectors have been duly trained to be very attentive to what’s happening backstage and in the corner,” said Douglas.
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