Issue 122

December 2014

Instead of joining the UFC back in ‘07, Gilbert Melendez decided to prove himself overseas. But one thing made him reconsider in 2013. And the signs of what that was were there seven years ago

Before the UFC secured the majority of the world’s finest lightweights, helping it create one of its strongest divisions, there was a time when most 155lb’ers chose to ply their trade outside of the Octagon.

One was current lightweight number-one contender and TUF 20 coach Gilbert Melendez. The Californian rose through the ranks when the UFC’s lowest weight class was at 170lb, and instead of moving up to fight at welterweight, ‘El Nino’ traveled to Japan to fight in promotions such as Shooto and Pride, seeking out other top talent at 155lb.

“The goal is to fight the best,” Melendez explained to FO in our December 2007 issue. “That is one of the main reasons I wanted to go to Pride. If you look at the top 10 rankings in the world, seven or eight were from Pride in that weight class. I thought it would be exciting to be a part of. You had (Takanori) Gomi, (Hayato) Sakurai, (Tatsuya) Kawajiri, (Joachim) Hansen, (Marcus) Aurelio... Of course, I want guys like JZ (Cavalcante), Sean Sherk, (Shinya) Aoki – guys I wish I could fight. With politics and organizations it is not going to happen.”

And he was right. Politics and organizations would ultimately stop Melendez from achieving his goal – initially at least. Out of all the names he mentioned, he only fought Tatsuya Kawajiri and Aoki, with only one of those bouts being inside the Pride ring. However, once the Japanese promotion’s doors were closed, instead of signing with the UFC, like some of the Pride roster, Melendez went back to Strikeforce to defend his lightweight belt.

“I really thought Pride was going to be able to stick it out and not sell to the UFC and I guess I was wrong. All of a sudden it was gone,” he recalled. “They wanted me to sign a contract over to the UFC, but it was the terms and the amount of say I had. I also had some obligations to fulfill with Strikeforce that I felt had to be done. I didn’t want to ruin those relationships I’d made.”

Over a four-year run in Strikeforce, Melendez lost and then won back his Strikeforce 155lb title from Josh Thomson before defending it six times. Despite his success, however, El Nino found it difficult to gain the respect he believed he deserved due to him never fighting in the Octagon. Something he feels as strongly about today as he did way back in 2007. 

“I don’t need fame, it is just respect from people, to see what I’m made of and that I have skills,” he explained to FO seven years ago. “It is a little frustrating when I say ‘I’m a MMA fighter,’ and people say, ‘You fight in the UFC?’ ‘No, I’m not in the UFC,’ ‘Then you’re not a fighter.’ That is the only thing that bothers me.”

Fast forward to today and Melendez’s career has come full circle. After making his name globally and fighting anyone who would gain him the most respect, he finally signed with the UFC in 2013 and now has a coaching role on a revitalized TUF 20, a title shot against Anthony Pettis next month, and the admiration of fans around the world. If respect was all he wanted, it’s what he’s finally got.

NOSTRADAMMAUS: 

ALONG CAME A SPIDER

If there were any doubts Anderson Silva would be the king at 185lb for a long time when he started his record reign, FO told you how ‘The Spider’ squashed them in the December 2007 edition. Our monthly recap of the finest MMA action explained how in awe we were of the then recently crowned UFC middleweight king, who systematically tore apart former belt holder Rich Franklin over two rounds at UFC 77. We referred to Silva as “possibly the most secure champion in the UFC” and for seven years that’s exactly what he was. Don’t say we never told you so.

Elsewhere in the December 2007 issue

BYE, RANDY!

Back in December 2007 we reported how future Hall of Famer Randy Couture had announced his resignation from the UFC. According to ‘The Natural’ he decided to hand in his notice to focus on his burgeoning acting career, since Fedor Emelianenko signed with Affliction. Couture would make his third return to the UFC nearly a year later when he lost his UFC heavyweight title to Brock Lesnar before abruptly leaving a broadcasting role with the promotion in 2013 to sign on as a TV coach with Bellator.

HONEST HARDY

Despite being one of Europe’s top welterweights, Dan Hardy took his time before going to the UFC in 2008. When talking to FO seven years ago, Hardy explained why he was reluctant to head over to the promotion straight away. “The problem is that sometimes fighters get caught up with a bunch of fighters that are slightly above them and it just ruins their careers. I’m taking my time. I’m only 25, I’m in no rush.” A year later he made his debut at UFC 89, earning a split-decision victory over Akihiro Gono, before winning his way to a title shot against Georges St Pierre in 2010. 

THE RISE OF ‘EL MATADOR’

When the UFC was slowly trying to rebuild its lightweight division, it pinned much of its hope on 24-year-old Roger Huerta, a Mexican-American fighter who not only had the potential to become UFC champion, but could also open the door to the lucrative Mexican market. In 2007 alone he’d won five fights on the trot and been featured on a Sports Illustrated magazine cover. However, he never fully reached his potential and, after losing two in a row, Huerta left the UFC in 2009 to sign with Bellator, where he would only win one fight.