Fighter Profile: Gilbert Melendez

Hometown: Santa Ana, California

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 155 lbs

Age: 27

Current Organization: Strikeforce

Professional Record: 15-2

Gilbert Melendez is a highly ranked lightweight fighter currently competing for the California-based Strikforce promotion. Melendez is the current Interim Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, the former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, and the former and first WEC Lightweight Champion.

Melendez, who usually fights out of San Jose, California, has been competing professionally since 2002, wracking up notable victories over Clay Guida and Tatsuya Kawajiri along the way. After leaving the WEC, Melendez won the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship in June 2006 with a Split Decision victory over current UFC lightweight and former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Clay Guida. He has yet to be finished in a professional fight.

Melendez went on to lose his title in his second official title defense on June 27, 2008 to former training partner and friend Josh Thomson by Unanimous Decision. Since losing his title, Melendez has rebounded from injuries to win the Interim Strikeforce Lightweight Championship in April 2009 by defeating prospect Rodrigo Damm by way of KO in the second round.

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Melendez will get the chance to avenge one of his two career defeats as well as reclaim his title when he goes toe to toe with current champion Josh Thomson on August 15, 2009 at Strikeforce: Carano vs Cyborg at the HP Pavilion at San Jose in San Jose, California.

Notable Wins: Clay Guida, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Josh Thomson

Recent Gilbert Melendez MMA News:

• Defeated Mitsuhiro Ishida at Strikeforce: Carano vs Cyborg - Strikeforce Carano vs Cyborg results

• Defeated Josh Thomson at Strikeforce: Evolution by Unanimous Decision - Strikeforce Evolution results

By Steven T. Kelliher
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published June 2009