FiveKnuckles.com: Can we expect Gilbert Melendez to be facing Shinya Aoki anytime soon?

Gilbert Melendez: I'll take that fight right now. That's the fight I want. He is definitely high up there and he deserves it. I just hope they think I'm ready to take him on. I feel like we match up well and I want to fight him if they can put it together. I think I've done enough to earn it, but he's been around for a while so some people think I'll get my ass kicked. I'm probably more of the challenger even though I got this nice new belt around my waist.

FiveKnuckles.com: (Laughs) Now that's a fight 4 million fans would watch on CBS, I don't care what anybody says.

Gilbert Melendez: I know right? He's ranked very high up there. If I can beat him, that would put me in the top five again. That's where I'm looking to be and I won't get there unless I fight the top fighters. I'm ready for the challenge.

FiveKnuckles.com: Who are some of the up-and-coming fighters in the division that you see stepping up in 2010?

Gilbert Melendez: The young talent has a little ways to go. Billy Evangelista looks like he's been around a little bit. Lyle Beerbohm is another guy that's been making his way up there. That dude is funny. I think he and Evangelista would be a good fight to see who can breakthrough to the next level. They just signed Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro and K.J. Noons. I believe both of those guys are good opponents. K.J. Noons is a champion. I'd like to take his Elite XC belt even though it's non-existing anymore. Eddie Alvarez is another stud in this division. He's an animal. If they could sign him, I'd love a match-up with him. Another guy is Joachim Hansen in DREAM. I already beat [Tatsuya] Kawajiri, but if he wants to fight me again, it has to be in California. I'm calling out the top ten fighters in the world right now. I want to prove myself and I'm ready to do it.

FiveKnuckles.com: Well, you're not going to have to look far because you've got the belt now. You might as well be walking around with a target on your back.

Gilbert Melendez: (Laughs) Yeah, exactly. I'm sitting here calling all these fighters out, but now there's a bounty on me. I know they're coming.

FiveKnuckles.com: Before I let you go, I got to ask you about a couple of your teammates in the Skrap Pack. How's my man "The Gentleman" Josh Clopton coming along?

Gilbert Melendez: He's doing okay man. He picked up a win out in Dallas this past November which was good for him. He's one of the most improved fighters that we have out here and one of the more dedicated as well. He's come...