Gilbert Melendez

Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez is the Cesar Gracie-trained lightweight who was a two-time Strikeforce lightweight champion, beating Josh Thomson twice in their trilogy and setting Strikeforce records for title fights.

He moved to the UFC and challenged Benson Henderson in 2013 and Anthony Pettis in 2014, also coaching The Ultimate Fighter opposite Pettis. He later fought at featherweight. CagePotato covered his Strikeforce reign and his Diaz-crew connections.

Gilbert Melendez fact file
Full nameGilbert Melendez
NicknameEl Niño
Date of birth
Place of birthSanta Ana, California, USA
Organisations fought in
  • Strikeforce
  • UFC
  • WEC
  • Shooto
  • Pride FC
Accolades
  • Two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion (five title defences)
  • WEC Lightweight Champion
  • Two-time UFC Lightweight title challenger

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