Just two years ago Gilbert Melendez was on top of the world. The Cesar Gracie product was undefeated and considered the among the top 3 lightweights in all of MMA. At 14-0 and still buzzing after a big win over Tetsuji Katoa in a Strikeforce event at the Playboy Mansion, Melendez accepted a fight against Japan's Mitsuhiro Ishida. Melendez lost the fight via decision and with it some of the luster that comes with being a hot, young, undefeated prospect.

Admittedly dejected, he licked his wounds and stormed back four months later with a big knockout over Gabe Lemley at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le, setting up a showdown with fellow rising prospect and crosstown rival Josh Thomson. 

The two went at one another for five rounds with Thomson seemly one step ahead of Melendez the entire course of the five round affair. Thomson took the fight via unanimous decision with not one round going to Melendez on any of the judges scorecards.

Like the Ishida fight, Melendez took the loss hard. Now 1-2 in his last three fights he'd gone from the lightweight divisions' brightest young star to a fighter facing big time adversity for the first time in his career. In response, Melendez decided to take some time off in order to ponder the direction of his life and reflect on his future.

Ten months later, a newly dedicated Melendez emerged from his self imposed hiatus and agreed to face Thomson again, without a tune up fight. The two were set to battle at a Strikeforce event back in March, but Thomson was forced out of the fight after breaking his leg while training.

Melendez instead was paired with Rodrigo Damm who he promptly KO'd in the second round looking absolutely dominant in the process and making a fight with Thomson even more tantalizing to fans.

The two were to matched up again on Aug. 15 as part of four Strikeforce championship fights, but Thomson pulled out again, this time three weeks before the event citing issues with his previously broken leg.

Undaunted, Strikeforce decided to hold an interim lightweight championship fight between Melendez and the man who took his undefeated record and status as a top five lightweight over a year and a half earlier -- Mitsuhiro Ishida.

The winner will face Thomson for the unified lightweight title later this year.

Melendez, who was originally disappointed at the prospects of being forced to wait longer for another shot at Thomson, will now get to bide his time with the cold dish that is Ishida. In what can only be viewed as a serendipitous revenge tour, Melendez will be given the rare opportunity to erase the past and forge a new future. In successive fights he'll have the chance to face down the only two opponents to have ever beaten him.

Melendez sat down with Gavin Vincent of FiveKnuckles.com to talk about the opportunity in front of him, expound upon his hiatus from the sport and hit on tons of other interesting topics ranging from training with the Jake Shields and the Diaz Brother's, to sharing his thoughts on the UFC's lightweight division.

FiveKnuckles.com: After the loss to Thomson you took some time off. Why did you feel the need to get away and what was that all about?

Gilbert Melendez: It was a time to reflect and to step back. I needed to get things a little more structured - from training, to my lifestyle, motivation... and...