Gilbert Melendez: Difference between revisions
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| team = [[Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu]] / El Niño Sports |
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| rank = {{color box|brown}} ''brown belt in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]]'' |
| rank = {{color box|brown}} ''brown belt in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]]'' |
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| years_active = 2002–present |
| years_active = 2002–present |
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Revision as of 04:39, 12 December 2010
| Gilbert Melendez | |
|---|---|
 Gilbert Melendez in 2009, at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event. | |
| Born | April 12, 1982 Santa Ana, California, United States |
| Other names | El Niño |
| Nationality |  American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Style | Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai |
| Fighting out of | San Francisco, California |
| Team | Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu / El Niño Sports |
| Rank | brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 21 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Other information | |
| Website | http://www.gilbertmelendez.com/ |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: April 18, 2010 | |
Gilbert Melendez (born April 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist. Currently fighting out of San Francisco, California, he formerly competed in the lightweight division of PRIDE Fighting Championships and now competes in Strikeforce. He has trained extensively with Turbo Fairtex, Jake Shields, Cesar Gracie, Nick Diaz, and Dave Terrell. Melendez is the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and has avenged both his career losses. Melendez is ranked by both Sherdog and MMAWeekly.com as the #2 best lightweight in the world.[1][2]
Mixed martial arts career
Melendez began fighting in the old World Extreme Cagefighting and Rumble on the Rock shows and also spent some time overseas where he fought for Shooto and PRIDE Fighting Championships
Melendez won the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship from Clay Guida by split decision on June 9, 2006.
Melendez held the belt for two years before losing it on June 27, 2008 to Josh Thomson by unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 50–45) at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson.
On April 11, 2009, Melendez was scheduled to rematch Josh Thomson for the title at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz but the bout was cancelled on April 1 as Thomson broke his ankle in training for the fight.[3] Rodrigo Damm replaced Thomson on the card and the two squared off for the interim title which Melendez would go on to win, stopping Damm with strikes in the 2nd round.
On August 15, 2009, Melendez was again set to rematch Josh Thomson at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg but Thomson was not cleared to fight, due to lingering problems with his leg. Mitsuhiro Ishida was selected to replace Thomson in what became Melendez' first Interim title defense.
On December 19, 2009, Melendez fought Josh Thomson to unify the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship belts.[4] Melendez won the fight via unanimous decision to become the Undisputed Lightweight Champion. With the win he also avenged the second of his only two losses to date.
Melendez successfully defended the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship against current DREAM Lightweight Champion and former Shooto Middleweight Champion Shinya Aoki on April 17, 2010.[5]
Melendez and Aoki were widely believed to be rematching at Dream's December 31, 2010 event, but both Melendez[6] and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker are questioning if that bout will happen. If not, Melendez will return for Strikeforce in early 2011.[7]
Strikeforce: Nashville Post-Fight Brawl
Melendez was one of the members of the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu team who participated in a post fight brawl live on CBS after Jake Shields defeated Dan Henderson. Jason Miller somehow gained access to the cage, and interrupted Shields, asking "Where's my rematch buddy?", into the microphone referring to a previous fight between the two at Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers in 2009. Melendez and Jake Shields then shoved Miller and Nick Diaz threw a punch at Miller, which led to the brawl. Miller was wrestled to the floor by members of Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. While Miller was restrained on the ground, members of Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu began to attack him. The fight was eventually broken up by members of security and Dan Henderson's corner. Melendez and five others were given three-month suspensions and fines of $5,000–7,500.[8]
Personal life
Melendez and his girlfriend Keri Anne have a daughter, Leylakay Valentina Melendez, born August 8, 2010.[9] [10]
Championships and accomplishments
- Strikeforce
- Strikeforce Lightweight Championship (2 Times, current)
- Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Championship (1 Time)
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Lightweight Championship (1 Time, first)
MMA record
| 20 matches | 18 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| Draws | 0 | |
| No contests | 0 | |
See also
References
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/6/Sherdog-Official-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Rankings-24573
- ^ "MMAWeekly.com Lightweight World Top 10 MMA Rankings". MMAWeekly.com. 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ^ Exclusive: Josh Thomson breaks leg; Gilbert Melendez rematch on April 11 off (Updated)
- ^ "http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Gilbert-Melendez-vs-Josh-Thomson-confirmed-for-Strikeforce-Evolution-on-Dec-19.html". FiveKnuckles.com. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - ^ "Aoki-Melendez Signed for April 17 Strikeforce". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ^ "Gilbert Melendez Talks Rematches and Possible UFC Jump". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ^ "Melendez vs. Aoki Not a Done Deal, Strikeforce Champ May Not Return Until 2011". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ^ "Coker on King Mo-Babalu Stalemate, International Shows, 135 Women's Tourney, Kharitonov Signing and More". SHERDOG.com. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "FIGHT! Life: Gilbert Melendez - Baby Girl (VIDEO)". Fightmagazine.com. 2010-04-13. Retrieved 2010-04-14.
- ^ "Is there such a thing as a PPV blackout based on region?". FIGHTOPINION.com. 2010-08-09. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
