Gilbert Melendez was born on April 12,1982 and is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
39 Facts About Gilbert Melendez
2.
Gilbert Melendez is a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and a former WEC Lightweight Champion.
3.
Gilbert Melendez competed in PRIDE FC, Shooto and Rumble on the Rock.
4.
Gilbert Melendez always enjoyed combat sports and competition, but did not start training in MMA until after college when he was introduced to the sport by his good friend and MMA fighter Jake Shields.
5.
Gilbert Melendez attended San Francisco State University and was studying in liberal arts, he anticipated becoming a teacher but did not finish his college education and get a degree, on account of training for MMA and working outside of college.
6.
Gilbert Melendez has stated that someday he plans on finishing his college education.
7.
Gilbert Melendez made his debut in the World Extreme Cagefighting and started off his career dominating his opponents, winning his first three career fights all by knockout due to punches before receiving an opportunity to fight for the first WEC Lightweight Championship against fan-favorite Olaf Alfonso at WEC 10.
8.
Gilbert Melendez won the bout by TKO due to punches and became the first WEC Lightweight Champion.
9.
Gilbert Melendez won the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship from future UFC veteran Clay Guida by a split decision on June 9,2006.
10.
Gilbert Melendez then made his debut in PRIDE FC at PRIDE Bushido 12, winning by unanimous decision.
11.
Gilbert Melendez returned to Strikeforce to fight Tetsuji Kato in a non-title bout, and won his third straight fight by a unanimous decision.
12.
Gilbert Melendez received his first career loss against the Japanese fighter by unanimous decision.
13.
Gilbert Melendez held the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship belt for two years before losing it on June 27,2008, to Josh Thomson by unanimous decision at Strikeforce: Gilbert Melendez vs Thomson.
14.
On December 19,2009, Gilbert Melendez fought Josh Thomson to unify the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship belts.
15.
Gilbert Melendez won the fight via unanimous decision to become the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion.
16.
Gilbert Melendez successfully defended the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship against current DREAM Lightweight Champion and former Shooto Middleweight Champion Shinya Aoki on April 17,2010.
17.
Gilbert Melendez dominated his opponent showing excellent striking, knocking down Kawajiri with a right hand near the beginning of the fight.
18.
Gilbert Melendez eventually defended his title against challenger Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Gilbert Melendez vs Masvidal.
19.
Gilbert 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.
20.
Gilbert Melendez was expected to face Pat Healy for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship on September 29,2012, in Sacramento, California.
21.
The bout with Healy was rescheduled for January 12,2013 at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs Saffiedine, but again, Gilbert Melendez pulled out of the bout citing a shoulder injury.
22.
Gilbert Melendez received an immediate UFC title shot and made his promotional debut against Benson Henderson on April 20,2013, at UFC on Fox 7.
23.
Gilbert Melendez lost a split decision in a closely contested bout.
24.
Gilbert Melendez was scheduled to face Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 170.
25.
Gilbert Melendez then agreed to sign with Bellator, but the UFC had the right to match their offer.
26.
Gilbert Melendez ultimately re-signed with the UFC after he was given the opportunity to serve as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 20, opposite UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis, the two would face each other at UFC 181 on December 6,2014.
27.
Gilbert Melendez lost the fight via guillotine choke in the second round.
28.
Gilbert Melendez then faced Eddie Alvarez on June 13,2015, at UFC 188.
29.
Gilbert Melendez lost the fight by a close split decision.
30.
Gilbert Melendez was tabbed as a short notice replacement to face Al Iaquinta on July 15,2015, at UFC Fight Night 71, taking the place of Bobby Green.
31.
Gilbert Melendez next faced Edson Barboza on July 23,2016, at UFC on Fox 20.
32.
Gilbert Melendez faced Jeremy Stephens in a featherweight bout on September 9,2017, at UFC 215.
33.
Gilbert Melendez was scheduled to face Arnold Allen on November 30,2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale.
34.
Gilbert Melendez faced Arnold Allen on July 6,2019, at UFC 239.
35.
On November 11,2019, it was reported that Gilbert Melendez was released by UFC.
36.
Gilbert Melendez and his wife Keri Anne Taylor-Gilbert Melendez have a daughter born August 8,2010.
37.
Gilbert Melendez has a knockout win as an MMA fighter.
38.
Gilbert Melendez has provided commentary and analysis for ESPN before each Pay Per View.
39.
Gilbert Melendez coached season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter for the UFC.