Gilbert Melendez Is Excited About Potential Jump to UFC, Ready for Title Shot

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/10/10/2481803/gilbert-melendez-ufc-frankie-edgar

Gilbert Melendez is one of the best lightweights on the planet, but there are many MMA fans out there who don't know who he is. His 19-2 record and having avenged his two career losses have raised him to the #3 spot in the USA Today / SB Nation Consensus Rankings. With seemingly every other Strikeforce champion leaving the promotion for the UFC, it only made sense that Dana White started talking about wanting to bring Melendez into the UFC fold very soon.

Melendez was on The MMA Hour and talked about the buzz surrounding the eventual move:

"I'm definitely impressed by Frankie. He's an amazing fighter. He's great," Melendez said. "I honestly feel like I'm the No. 1 contender and I feel like I'm ready for the title shot now."

...

"I've been focusing on Jorge Masvidal," Melendez said. "He's the first guy in line. I think he's the No. 1 contender, as of now, in Strikeforce, and as of now I have to focus on that guy. He's real tough. But it's hard not to get excited when you hear all these rumors."

Regardless of who you favor in Melendez vs. Edgar, I feel confident saying that you're out of your mind if you don't think it would be a great fight.

I just listened to this interview and I got to tell ya I think we all may be jumping the gun with this Gil coming over "NOW" talk.

Oh well Dana said this, Dana said that, if you listen to the interview Gil says he asked to talk to Dana and ask about his future. Dana didn't set a meeting with him to tell him he wants him and he's gonna bring him over, Gil called Dana and said why am I not in the ufc yet, can we talk about it? I don't know whats going on but listening to that interview sure didn't make me feel like their was any possibility for Gil to face Frankie next.

I'm sure it has something to do with Showtime wanting to promote the Melendez-Masvidal fight they were intending on. They figure with only a few months left on the deal the UFC can atleast back the fuck off and let them keep SOME promotable fighters until the end.

That fight has been made for awhile now. I'm pretty sure Showtime had a strong idea of it headlining one of their few remaining SF cards. Zuffa already destroyed the GP with their "having to release Overeem for things that can't be changed only to sign him 2 weeks later" underhanded-ness now they want to trash the December show. With the ratings as they were for the last one, Showtime is probably done with that shit for now.

Gil better be careful. Masvidal is a big talented dude at LW who is now hitting his stride. I understand it's hard not to get excited if your Gil but i don't buy that he's focused on Masvidal who's not to be fucked with unfocused IMO.

I want Melendez-Masvidal to unify the titles.

Melendez's trainer, Cesar Gracie, told Tatame.com that he absolutely believes this will be the champion's final fight under the Strikeforce banner:

"Absolutely. It'll be his last fight (in Strikeforce)", assures
the coach, who didn't have any doubts about Melendez's situation on the
lightweight division of the UFC, whose current title holder is Frankie Edgar. "I believe Melendez is the best of the world in this division."

Should be a great fight between Gil and frankie.

If Frankie still has the belt

bobbitt15 wrote:

If Frankie still has the belt

U are right about that.

Gil fights in December, hopefully we see an Edgar-Bendo matchup around March and then he'll be ready

I think Bendo wins that fight.