Melendez in photo by Esther Lin
With 18 wins and two losses, Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez is one of the top lightweight fighters in world MMA. The Jiu-Jitsu purple belt is featured in CHOKE, the MMA supplement magazine now wrapped into GRACIEMAG, now in bookstore and in academies across the planet.
Coming off big wins over stalwart opponents like Shinya Aoki and Rodrigo Damm, among others, Melendez inspires awe for his aggressive ways, with 10 knockouts and one submission on his record.
“I don’t want MMA to become boxing, with boring fights and fighters who throw one punch the whole round. The winner is the guy who finishes the fight, not caring about what’s on the judges’ scorecards. I feel some guys are afraid to lose and I don’t want that for MMA.”
A fan of a good fight, Melendez doesn’t hold back in heaping praise on some other great fighters and – why not? – takes the chance to issue a challenge.
“I like my teammates Nick and Nate Diaz and Jake Shields. But at the moment, I like watching Maurício Shogun a lot. I’ve loved watching him ever since the days of Pride. I’d also love to face Gesias; he’s one of the best in the world,” he remarks.
And the fight with Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante may end up happening, now the Brazilian has signed with Strikeforce.
Want to know more about Melendez, MMA and lots about Jiu-Jitsu? Secure your copy of GRACIEMAG.