Gilbert Melendez Youtube Videos
Gilbert Melendez Bio
Gilbert Q. Melendez (born April 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist of Mexican descent currently fighting out of San Francisco, California, he is the current Strikeforce Lightweight Champion fighting in the lightweight division for Strikeforce.
He formerly competed in the lightweight division of PRIDE Fighting Championships. He has trained extensively with Turbo Fairtex, Jake Shields, Cesar Gracie, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz and David Terrell. Melendez is the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and has avenged both his career losses. Melendez is ranked as the #3 lightweight fighter in the world by Sherdog.
Mixed martial arts career
Melendez aka El Nino began fighting in the pre-Zuffa 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. 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. 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.
A rematch between Melendez and Tatsuya Kawajiri took take place on April 9, 2011 at Strikeforce 33 in April. Melendez dominated his opponent showing excellent striking, knocking down Kawajiri with a right hand near the beginning of the fight. Melendez then again knocked down Kawajiri with a combination of knees to the body and a right hook followed by a right uppercut. The beginning of the end came when Melendez sprawled one of Kawajiri's takedowns and then began landing short left hands which knocked Kawajiri down into half-guard where Melendez began landing vicious right elbows before the referee stopped the fight declaring Melendez the winner by TKO 3:14 into the first round.
Melendez faced Jorge Masvidal next. UFC president Dana White briefly put the bout in question when he revealed to reporters that he was working to bring Gilbert Melendez into the UFC fold "ASAP" with the possibility of Melendez entering with an immediate shot at the belt. Melendez eventually defended his title against challenger Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Melendez took on Josh Thomson in a rubber match for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier in San Jose, California on May 19, 2012. He won the fight via split decision.
Personal life
Melendez and his girlfriend Keri Anne have a daughter, Leylakay Valentina Melendez, born August 8, 2010.
Film and Television
Melendez is starring alongside teammates Jake Shields and Nick Diaz in the mixed martial arts documentary Fight Life, the film is directed by independent filmmaker James Z. Feng and produced by RiLL Films, set for release in the summer of 2011.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed Martial Arts
- Strikeforce
- Strikeforce Lightweight Championship (Two times; Current)
- Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Championship (One time)
- Most championship bouts in Strikeforce (Ten)
- Most successful Strikeforce title defenses (Five)
- Most consecutive Strikeforce title defenses (Four)
- Most wins in Strikeforce (Eleven)
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Lightweight Championship (One time; First)
- International Fighting Championships
- IFC Night of Warriors Amateur Tournament Winner
- Sports Illustrated
- 2009 Round of the Year vs. Josh Thomson on December 19; Round 5
Mixed martial arts record
See also
- List of current mixed martial arts champions
- List of male mixed martial artists
External links
- Professional MMA record for Gilbert Melendez from Sherdog
- Official Pride Website
- Gilbert Melendez' Myspace
- December, 2006 Interview
MMA Shirts
