A bitter contract dispute between the UFC and the promotion’ts #2 ranked lightweight has led to Gilbert Melendez being released from the promotion.
Melendez (22-3) is also the #14 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion. Melendez and Dana White have spent several months trying to negotiate a new contract after Melendez beat Diego Sanchez at UFC 166. At the time White called the fight, “One of the best fights I’ve ever seen.”
“In the 13 years of being in this company, we’ve seen some amazing fights. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fight like that. That fight was insane,” White continued at UFC 166’s post-fight press conference.
It seems though that White is now singing a different tune. He commented on the release to UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani saying the following:
“I’m done,” said White told Helwani. “It’s not going well. I couldn’t care less about it anymore. I like Gilbert Melendez, I don’t like his management.”
It would also appear that recent bad blood between Dana White and former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre is playing a role in the release.
“Being Georges St-Pierre’s best friend, doesn’t make you a good manager,” White said of Melendez’s manager Rodolphe Beaulieu.
“If he (Melendez) wants to fight in the UFC, he better talk to (UFC co-owner) Lorenzo (Fertitta) quick.”
“He better start looking elsewhere,” said the UFC President.
Melendez came to the UFC from Strikeforce, where he was a long-time title holder. He lost a controversial decision to Benson Henderson before getting back to his winning ways and making a climb back up the UFC Lightweight rankings.
Melendez was scheduled to meet number 7 ranked and undefeated lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 170, but that fight was recently canceled without much explanation.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @lastwordBkerr. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter –@LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our MMA writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
For more great MMA interviews with the biggest fight stars on the planet, remember to check out Hammer MMA Radio on 93.3CFMU or find their latest episodes on our main page’s sidebar. Hammer Radio features interviews from some of the industry’s biggest stars. You can find the latest on the Hammer @SteveJeffery.
Main Photo Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports
