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Gilbert Melendez confirms he’s not retired, willing to fight again for the right opportunity: “I will always be a fighter”
Former UFC title challenger Gilbert Melendez isn’t done competing just yet. ‘El Nino’ hasn’t been in action since his fight with Arnold Allen at UFC 239 in July 2019. In that outing, Melendez lost by unanimous decision. The defeat was the fifth straight for the former title challenger. Months after the loss, the 40-year-old was […]
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Gilbert Melendez opens up on USADA suspension: “It’s no one’s business what I’m putting into my body”
Gilbert Melendez has opened up on his second USADA suspension. On Monday, it was revealed that the former Strikeforce lightweight champion was suspended two-years by USADA. It was his second time receiving a suspension. But, what makes it strange is the fact Melendez is no longer a member of the UFC. He was tested after […]
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Gilbert Melendez receives two-year USADA suspension
Gilbert Melendez, who is no longer a member of the UFC roster, has been suspended for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). USADA, the official anti-doping partner of the UFC, announced this news in a Monday press release: USADA announced today that an independent arbitrator has rendered a decision in the case […]
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Josh Thomson gives update on a fourth fight with Gilbert Melendez
For fight fans, Gilbert Melendez vs Josh Thomson might be the best trilogy in MMA history. Each fight presented an all-out war that highlighted the mutual heart and resilience of the California opponents. Now, the MMA veteran and Bellator presenter is considering running it back with his former opponent. Josh Thomson gave an update on […]
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Josh Thomson wants to run it back with Gilbert Melendez in Bellator
We could see a fourth fight between lightweight legends as Josh Thomson says he wants to run it back with long-time rival Gilbert Melendez in Bellator. Melendez was released by the UFC last week following a five-fight losing skid and has since been connected to signing with Bellator, with whom he signed an offer sheet […]
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Gilbert Melendez issues statement on UFC release
MMA veteran and fan favorite Gilbert Melendez has issued a statement following his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Melendez, 37, was reportedly let go from the UFC last night in the midst of a five-fight losing streak, with his last victory coming in an absolute classic against Diego Sanchez back at UFC 166 in […]
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Gilbert Melendez released by UFC
Former UFC title contender and Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has been released by the UFC after a string of losses. FightBookMMA reported the unfortunate news that Melendez did not survive the UFC’s latest wave of cuts. The promotion last week released 12 fighters from its roster, and now Melendez can be added to that […]
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Gilbert Melendez unsure on retirement following UFC 239 loss
Gilbert Melendez won’t commit to retiring or continuing his fighting career just yet. Last night (July 6), Melendez returned to action to meet Arnold Allen inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 239. “El Nino” hadn’t competed since Sept. 2017. After three rounds of action, Melendez suffered his fifth loss in a row. […]
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Gilbert Melendez returns to the Octagon at UFC 239
Former UFC title challenger and Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (22-7) returns to fight Arnold Allen (14-1) at UFC 239 on July 6. They meet in Vegas! @GilbertMelendez vs @Arnoldbfa is official for #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/uHs8anH1SR — UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 8, 2019 Whilst many admire Melendez’s longstanding MMA career beginning in 2002, especially his successful […]
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Gilbert Melendez says teammate Nick Diaz is retired
It has been four years since Nick Diaz last stepped foot inside the Octagon. And with each new day, it looks more and more like that will have been the last time. Having since moved to Las Vegas leaving his old home in Stockton, California, Diaz has still made claims over time that he’s looking […]
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Gilbert Melendez vs Arnold Allen in the works for UFC 232
It has been a less than ideal run in the UFC so far for one of the lightweight division’s best in the former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez (22-7). “El Nino” was once known as the king of Strikeforce as he dominated the 155-pound weight class having won the title on two separate occasions (three if you […]
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Gilbert Melendez Breaks Down How Holly Holm can Dethrone Cyborg
Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez knows a thing or two about fighting. He has been one of the Lightweight division’s very best for the better half of the last ten years. Primarily known as the king of Strikeforce, Melendez defended a Strikeforce title six times overall and was a three-time champion. He also was the very […]
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PHOTO | Here’s what Gilbert Melendez’s leg looks like a day after his war with Jeremy Stephens
On Saturday night, the UFC touched down in the Canadian combat sports hotspot of Edmonton, Alberta. One of the most compelling features of the UFC 215 main card – at least from an entertainment standpoint – was a featherweight scrap between former Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez and long-time featherweight contender Jeremy Stephens. The fight […]
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Jeremy Stephens Beats Melendez by Violently Destroying his Leg
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Gilbert Meledez makes his featherweight debut against “Hardest Hitting 145er” Jeremy Stephens. As soon as this fight was announced, fight fans probably bought fireworks to shoot off in celebration. It’s two scrappers who aren’t going to back down. It’s like they fight on treadmills that are facing each other. Mostly […]
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Report: Gilbert Melendez heading to featherweight at UFC 215
This September 9, when the UFC debuts in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with UFC 215, former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez will reportedly look for a fresh start in the featherweight division. His opponent for this featherweight debut will be hard-hitting veteran Jeremy Stephens. This bout was first reported by Damon Martin. BREAKING: Jeremy Stephens vs. Gilbert […]
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VIDEO | Diaz brothers and Gilbert Melendez join Anthony Bourdain for Parts Unknown
https://youtu.be/uwfpTxWvwho Just when you think Anthony Bourdain and his “Parts Unknown” CNN series couldn’t get any better, think again. Bourdain, who has fallen in love with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, spiced up the recipe for his show by bringing in Nick and Nate Diaz along with their friend and longtime training partner Gilbert Melendez. The UFC stars […]
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Gilbert Melendez confirms plans to drop to featherweight
For a time, Gilbert Melendez stood out as one of the best lightweights in the world. That was back when he was the dominant champion of Strikeforce’s lightweight division, and running through names like Josh Thomson, Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Jorge Masvidal. Today, however, the lightweight great has hit a bit of a rough […]
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VIDEO | Gilbert Melendez’s wife Keri Anne Taylor Melendez scores a big KO in her MMA debut
https://twitter.com/jnsanchez/status/800169260098224128 Last night, Bellator MMA returned to San Jose, California with Bellator 165. It was a card of tremendous highs and unfortunate lows, as Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson dazzled in the main event, and the highly hyped Michael Page disappointed against Fernando Gonzales in the co-main event. One of the undeniable highs of the […]
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VIDEO | Gilbert Melendez breaks down Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor
One of the greatest cards in UFC history is set to take place just a little over two weeks from today. Three UFC championship title fights will go down at UFC 205 with the main event being headlined by the lightweight title showdown between champion Eddie Alvarez looking to defend his title for the first […]
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VIDEO | Gilbert Melendez shares insight into UFC 202 press conference incident
https://youtu.be/hvyyXQlSItY Wednesday afternoon in Las Vegas, Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor briefly appeared on stage at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference. McGregor, who was nearly 30 minutes late to the event, joined Diaz on stage for just moments before Diaz got up and walked out of the event. He was joined by his entire […]
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Gilbert Melendez eyeing future fight with fellow veteran Eddie Alvarez
Back at UFC 188, Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez squared off in the co-main event of the highly anticipated card. Alvarez was looking to bounce back from a lopsided loss to Donald Cerrone, and capture his first UFC win. Melendez on the other hand was looking to return to the win column after a submission […]
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Gilbert Melendez on Conor McGregor: ‘He fights like the smaller man’
Nate Diaz and Gilbert Melendez have been close training partners for a long time with Cesar Gracie. Melendez knows Diaz all too well and says that if McGregor gets his rematch with Nate, the result will be the same as their first match. “I don’t see it going any differently. I see Conor, if he […]
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Gilbert Melendez ready to move on from failed drug test
Back at UFC 188, former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez lost a controversial split decision to Eddie Alvarez. In addition to the decision being controversial, Melendez tested positive for testosterone metabolites. Now, nearly a year later, Melendez’ suspension is up, and he’s gearing up for his UFC on FOX 20 scrap against Edson Barboza on July […]
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Edson Barboza vs. Gilbert Melendez reportedly set for UFC on FOX 20
At UFC 197 Edson Barboza picked up the biggest win of his professional career as he defeated former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision. The win was a dominant one for Barboza, as he out-struck Showtime throughout the course of the fight, dealing a severe amount of damage to Pettis’ legs throughout the […]