MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer</B><BR><BR>
The time has come for Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez to travel greener pastures. The “Skrap Pack” representative has cleaned house while fighting under the Strikeforce banner, amassing a very impressive 10-1 record for the promotion, all the while clinging to the 155 pound belt with a grasp the Terminator would have difficulty breaking.<BR><BR>
Having now defended the crown on three consecutive occasions, the promotion’s contenders are thinning at an alarming rate. But, it’s not simply the fact that Melendez has managed to take control of the title, it’s the opposition in which he’s toppled in order to obtain and defend that belt. In fact, taking a look back at Gil’s run, he’s faced nothing but spectacular and diverse fighters; and there isn’t a style clash in which Melendez has issues with these days.<BR><BR>
The California resident made his Strikeforce debut way back in 2006 at Strikeforce “Shamrock vs. Gracie”, after already cutting his professional teeth in the WEC and Shooto organizations. Melendez made his debut against the rugged and well-rounded veteran, Harris Sarmiento. Sarmiento, who at that point had already collided with durable warriors K.J. Noons, Roger Huerta and Rob McCullough, didn’t survive six minutes, as Melendez finished the seasoned Hawaiian in the first minute of the bouts second frame.<BR><BR>
But Melendez’ journey was only beginning, and the competition would continue to improve. In his second fight for the now Zuffa owned promotion, Gil engaged in a close five round war with fan favorite Wildman (and quite possibly the only lightweight to match Gil’s cardiovascular abilities) Clay Guida, another fight in which Melendez exited the cage the victor. The following two years would see Gil travel from the states to Japan and back, as he toppled respectable foes, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Nobuhiro Obiya and Tetsuji Kato in the process.<BR><BR>
At the Yarennoka - New Year’s Eve 2007 show Melendez would taste defeat for the very first time in his professional career, dropping a decision to the highly talented wrestler, Mitsuhiro Ishida in a performance that looked as though Melendez may have been a bit distracted (if you’ve seen the fight, you’ll note Gil’s off timing from the jump). He rebounded with a win over Gabe Lemley in Strikeforce, but bookended the victory with the second and only other defeat of his career: a loss to Josh Thomson at Strikeforce “Melendez vs. Thomson”, which saw “The Punk” get his hands on promotional gold.<BR><BR>
Thomson’s title run would prove to be short lived. After destroying Rodrigo Damm and avenging his loss to Mitsuhiro Ishida with a third round stoppage, Melendez would again fight Thomson, seeking to avenge the only unanswered loss on his ledger. Again the rematch proved fruitful for Melendez, as he steadily outworked Josh to reclaim the title in unanimous fashion.<BR><BR>
Since then Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Jorge Masvidal have all attempted to wrest the belt from the champion: not one has come close to such a feat. Melendez has come into his own, honing his striking to the point in which it mirrors his powerful wrestling. Given his superb defense and indomitable will to win, it’s tough to imagine any man at 155 pounds defeating the champion. That said, bouts with Gray Maynard, Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar look more appealing than ever, and honestly, may be the only matches worth making.<BR><BR><!--more-break-->
Melendez’s migration to the UFC now looks inevitable. Whether or not he’s gifted a warm up bout once signing with the promotion remains to be seen. However, if there’s any lightweight competing outside of the UFC today that doesn’t need any form of tune up fight to shine, it’s Gilbert Melendez. This kid hasn’t lost in nearly four years, improves with every bout and has taken on the tendency to deliver crowd pleasing stand up wars. From a business standpoint, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez is a promoters dream. Here’s hoping Dana White brings the dream into the octagon so that he might be afforded the chance to create many a nightmare for potential foes.<BR><BR>
Strikeforce champions Alistair Overeem, Nick Diaz and now Dan Henderson have all traveled to the UFC to compete with the sports best; it’s time for Gilbert Melendez to receive his golden ticket, he's more than earned it.<BR><BR>
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