Gilbert Melendez

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1 Profile
2 Early Career
3 Strikeforce and PRIDE
4 Mixed martial arts record
5 Gallery
6 External links

Profile

Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez (born April 12, 1982) is a Mexican-American professional mixed martial artist who has competed for such organizations as Shooto, Strikeforce, and PRIDE.

He stands 5 ft. 9 in. (175 cm) tall and fights in the lightweight division (155 lbs.).

Melendez is a former lightweight champion of and currently fights as a lightweight for the Strikeforce organization.

Early Career

Gilbert Melendez made his professional mixed martial arts debut on October 18, 2002 at WEC 5: Halloween Fury. In his debut he defeated opponent, Gary Quan with punches at 4:37 of round 1.

At WEC 6, five months later, Melendez defeated Jeff Houghland via the same method as his debut, a TKO, at 2:05 of round 2.

In October, Melendez travelled to Hawaii where he defeated the always game, Stephen Palling via punches just shy of the second round bell, at 4:59 of round 2.

Melendez pushed his record to 5-0 with five straight TKO stoppages as he finished Olaf Alonso at a WEC event in May of 2004 and Kaynan Kaku at a Rumble on the Rock event in November.

In December, Melendez made his Shooto debut against tough Japanese striker, Hiroyuki Takaya. Melendez prevailed via unanimous decision after three rounds.

After picking up another victory in Shooto, Melendez faced Japanese legend, Rumina Sato in August of 2005. Just over a minute in the fight was called due to a cut sustained on the face of Sato.

Strikeforce and PRIDE

On March 10, 2006, Melendez made his Strikeforce debut against Harris Sarmiento. Sarmiento tapped to strikes in the second round to push Melendez's record to an unblemished, 9-0.

With the high quality and undefeated start to his career, Melendez was given a shot at the Strikeforce lightweight championship which was held by future UFC competitor, Clay Guida. Melendez looked impressive as he imposed his superior wrestling game on Guida for the full five rounds while landing better on the feet through out. Surprisingly the fight went to a split decision, however the victor was no surprise as Melendez was awarded the belt.

Melendez was called up to fight in Japan for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, a little over two months after the Guida fight. He made his PRIDE debut at PRIDE: Bushido 12 against Japanese fighter, Nobuhiro Obiya. Melendez picked up a unanimous decision victory after two rounds.

"El Nino" was called back for another fight for PRIDE on their 2006 New Year's Eve show, PRIDE: Shockwave 2006. Melendez faced highly ranked Japanese lightweight, Tatsuya Kawajiri and defeated "Crusher" via unanimous decision after two rounds.

In September of 2007, Melendez returned to Strikeforce in a non-title bout against Tetsuji Kato in the first ever MMA event to be held at the Playboy Mansion. Having sustained a broken hand early, Melendez rode out a comfortable unanimous decision over Kato over three rounds.

On December 31, 2007, Melendez headed back over to Japan for Yarennoka!, an event put on by former Dream Stage Entertainment executives in an event that acted as a farewell to PRIDE fans, due to the popular organization's buyout by the UFC. Melendez faced Mitsuhiro Ishida in a bout that saw Melendez outwrestled continously for the full two rounds. At the end of second round, judges declared Ishida the unanimous victor and thus handed Melendez his first professional defeat.

Three months later, Melendez defended his Strikeforce lightweight championship against the overmatched, Gabe Lemley. He dominated the first round before putting Lemley away in the second with punches.

On June 27, 2008, Melendez faced off against friend, Josh Thomson in the headlining bout of Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson. Many favored Melendez to defend his title against the UFC veteran but it was not to be as Thomson worked Melendez over on the feet and in the wrestling exchanges. The judges awarded Thomson the Strikeforce lightweight title with a shutout decision (50-45 on all cards).

Melendez will face off against Thomson in a rematch on April 11, 2009 in an effort to regain his title.