Brian Melancon came into this welterweight prelim bout on the Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum card a full 5 pounds overweight, weighing in at 175lbs. Melancon came out hitting heavy too. Landing punches standing before taking Vallie-Flag to the ground and getting mount. Then he took Vallie-Flag's back and attacked with a rear naked choke.
Vallie-Flag survived the first round and fought hard in a very close second round that was highlighted by a big uppercut from Melancon. The second round was called a draw by HDNet color commentator Bas Rutten.
In the third, Melancon tossed Vallie-Flag to the ground and got mount before Vallie-Flag got back to his feet. Vallie-Flag landed some sharp elbows and knees to the body in the clinch but Melancon landed a take down in the final seconds that could have iced the round for him on the judges' cards but apparently did not.
Michael Schiavello said the fight was "harder to pick than a broken nose."
SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum