Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has been negotiating with the UFC to hammer out a new contract since the one he brought over from the Strikeforce/UFC merger has been fulfilled.
However, things aren’t going well and it looks like the former champion could be on his way out of the UFC. There’s another former champion that’s excited about the possibility of fighting Melendez. Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler:
Seeing this news about @GilbertMelendez has me excited. Who wants to see me welcome him to @BellatorMMA after I beat Eddie?
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 13, 2014
There are really only two options for Melendez to sign, and that’s with either Bellator or World Series of Fighting promotions. Bellator has Chandler and current Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez on their roster, as both are thought to be top 10 fighters. However, the dropoff after those two fighters is pretty steep when it comes to competition. The World Series of Fighting promotion has a couple of solid lightweights, but nothing like the shark tank we know as the UFC lightweight division.
It’s a tough call for Melendez at this point in his career. He’ll be 32 years old in a couple of months and likely will not make the same amount of money outside the UFC, and certainly won’t be able to fight the same level of competition on a consistent basis. I think fights against Chandler or Alvarez would certainly be worth watching, but would the possibility of those fights be enough to influence Melendez to sign with Bellator?
Would you be interested in seeing Melendez compete outside of the UFC?
Would you be interested in seeing Melendez compete outside of the UFC?
Absolutely and Bellator would be the best place for him to fight. Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez would be good opponent for him. This is win win situation for both Fighters and MMA.
I want to see Gilbert leave, along with about 60 other fighters as well. The UFC’s president and promoter, ” baldy punch drunk ” needs a vacation of about 40 years.
He’s a complete dick and a moron that has outgrown his welcome and this is evident amongst many of the fans and the fighters. I can think of a few others that could step right in behind him and do a better job in a more professional manner to boot! This turd thinks a girl is the face of the UFC and it’s biggest star to date!
Yes the UFC would definitely do much better if it would retire this shit disturbing and, shit talking current bald headed a-hole of a president.