“Being part of the Viacom family and having Spike as a legitimate partner, we can offer things to fighters like we’ve done with (Rampage) in terms of the theatrical stuff and the reality programming he’s done. We offered some of those things to Gil. There was no way they could match the deal without giving Gil on-camera opportunities and huge pay-per-view participation.

“To the best of my knowledge, he’ll have the best pay-per-view participation in the UFC now, which is great for Gil – he’s a good dude, a heck of a fun guy to watch fight, and he’s one of the good guys in the game. I’d have preferred he fight here, but he’s going to have financial security for his family.”

Following last Friday’s Bellator 110 event, Bjorn Rebney, discussed losing Gilbert Melendez to the UFC.

Once Gilbert hit the free market it took no-time for him and Bellator to come to terms on a new multi-year deal to lock down the Bay Area fighter. The UFC matched the deal to retain Gilbert making him one of the most financially secure fighters currently on the UFC’s roster.

(quote via mmajunkie)