With Friday’s breaking news that former Strikefore Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez had agreed on a multi-fight, multi-year deal with Bellator MMA, the landscape of mixed martial arts’ lightweight division may have taken a significant shift.
After splitting his final two bouts in the UFC while under contract, Melendez was looking for a larger payout and a lucrative contract. After missing out on the UFC lightweight title after a controversial split decision loss to Benson Henderson and leaving it all in the cage in a three-round war against Diego Sanchez, fans and media alike figured Gilbert would be cashing in soon. Many believed that would be with the UFC, but contract negotiations stalled. And now, Melendez finds himself on the verge of joining Bellator MMA.
But, who’s there for Melendez to square off against?
Melendez has always longed for the best in competition. He rarely got in Strikeforce, but got it twice in the UFC. There would be moments of frustration while in Strikeforce about his lack of action. While in the UFC, Melendez fought twice in 2013. With Bellator he might not fight as often as he would like and the level of competition may not be there.
It is likely that Melendez would face either Michael Chandler or Eddie Alvarez in his promotional debut, but after that who then? There are several other former UFC lightweights on the roster, but which ones would raise the ire of El Nino?
With a 22-3 professional record, having lost just one bout in the last five years and long considered a top-10 lightweight, Melendez holds all the power in his contract negotiations.
The UFC still has the option to match Bellator’s offer to Melendez. Whether or not they do remains to be seen, but wherever Melendez lands he’ll be a contender.
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Main Photo Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports
