Tonight on HDNet's 'Inside MMA' - Melendez Wants to Fight Edgar; Rivera Ready to Take Out 'The Count'

DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez headlines this week's "Inside MMA" panel. The last time he was on the set he called out Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez. This time Melendez tells Kenny and Bas that he'd like to fight UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar, but he knows it's not up to him.  

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"It's kind of up to the promotions," says Melendez. "I want to fight all these guys. I want to fight all these dudes, but it's not up to us fighters. It's really up to the promoters. You want to see me fight Frankie, talk to Dana and Scott, I'll do it."

But Melendez knows the odds are slim for seeing an inter-promotional matchup anytime soon.

UFC Middleweight Jorge Rivera also stops by to talk about his upcoming bout with Michael "The Count" Bisping at UFC 127. According to "El Conquistador," Bisping was reluctant to take the fight and needed some coaxing from Rivera.

"They told me he might not take the fight, so then I said a couple things to agitate him," says Rivera. "Just enough to get what I wanted, I got what I wanted now I got to take care of my business...I don't care where it goes, I'm confident that I can beat him."

Rounding out the panel is legendary trainer Cesar Gracie. He had a stellar 2010 as his prized pupils (Nick Diaz, Jake Shields, and Melendez) went 6-0, but the camp's accomplishments were overshadowed by a nationally televised brawl at Strikeforce: Nashville. Gracie and the rest of the panel tackle the issue of trash talking in MMA.

The panel also previews this weekend's Strikeforce card and looks back at UFC "Fight for the Troops" with an exclusive report from Kenny at Fort Hood.

Plus, Ron Kruck continues his "Inside America's Gyms" series with a stop at one of the original MMA gyms, AMC Kickboxing and Pankration, and we ride along with part-time cop Tim Sylvia as he gets set to battle Abe Wagner at "Titan Fighting Championship 16."

"Inside MMA" premieres this Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET only on HDNet, your home for MMA. Plus don't miss an all new "Fighting Words with Mike Straka" featuring Jacob "Stitch" Duran at 8:30 p.m. ET and the LIVE broadcast of "HDNet Fights: Titan Fighting Championship 16" at 10:00 p.m. ET.  

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