Gilbert Melendez seeks challenges outside the Strikeforce promotion
by Hubert Lau on May 13, 2011

Current top ranked and Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez, expressed his interest in seeking fights away from the Strikeforce promotion according to mmaweekly.com.

Melendez has established himself as one of the sports premier lightweight fighters by defeating notables such as Josh Thomson, Shinya Aoki and his recent domination of Tatsuya Kawajiri.

Since winning the Strikeforce lightweight title in mid 2009 and with his successive four title defenses, Melendez has done a good job clearing out his division in Strikeforce.

With Zuffa's purchase of Strikeforce nearly two months ago, Melendez relishes at the opportunity of fighting with other top tier lightweight fighters. One in particular was his desire to fight the winner of the Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard bout, originally booked for UFC 130 on May 28. Both Edgar and Maynard have suffered injuries, delaying their title fight. However when the bout does eventually take place, a subsequent title defense against Melendez for the champion would be a good way for the UFC to unify the Strikeforce and UFC belts.

"Gil wants to test himself. He wants that belt; he wants the UFC belt also to add to his collection of belts, and yeah I hope they put those fights together" Melendez's head coach, Cesar Gracie, said on mmaweekly.com

 |  (15) Comments illegalpoke: Jim still on the table? I LOVE that match. Instant LW Classic! Lay'n'PrayNINJA: Gil has serious skills. I would love to see him fighting the top prospects in the UFC. Wish the merger would just ahppen already damn it!!! GO HARD: Gilly gon prove all u fools wrong. q; D SicJits: I'd love to see him fight top lw comp, but imo he wouldn't be a ufc champ mike5k: I don't know if I under rated Melendez or if he got a lot better (or maybe a little of both). The dude has looked scary good in his last few fights and he needs to fight someone really good so we can where he is. flyangler: He still hasn't faced anyone the caliber of the UFC's top five. I want to see him in the UFC because he really has no challenges left in Strikeforce. It should be real easy IMO. Stikeforce: "Listen we are going to relieve you of your final contracted bouts to pursue other intrests, Okay?" Gilbert: "It's been great working with you" UFC: " Gilbert, We talked with Strikeforce and understand that you are a free agent" Gilbert: " Yes, I am the best" UFC: " Great, we are going to put you on the 132 card against Melvin Guillard, is that good with you?" Gilbert: " I am the best" GO HARD: a Gilly .. a Gilly... a Gilly!! SicJits: idk, the 209 didn't do so well the last ufc ;) Mtx: I don't think Gilly would fair well in the UFC but he keeps on putting some surprising performances. I really want to see what he can bring when he fights a top competition.
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