Gilbert Melendez will be staying with the UFC after all. The UFC confirmed reports that Melendez (22-3) was re-signed after the organization matched an offer sheet from Bellator.
UFC also announced that Melendez will be a coach on their reality series “The Ultimate Fighter” for season twenty. The opposing coach will be current UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. Melendez will then challenge Pettis for the title later this year.
MMAFighting.com, who first reported the agreement, said the deal guarantees 75% of Melendez’s fights will be on pay-per-view cards. The agreement also ensures the 31-year-old Melendez will earn income on pay-per-view points regardless of the success of the event, as well as his position in the main event, co-main event or main card. The deal essentially makes Melendez one of the highest paid fighters in the UFC.
Melendez said that the way the Fertitta brothers intervened when things weren’t going well in contract negotiations with UFC president Dana White made all the difference.
“Getting a call from Lorenzo himself makes you feel elite,” Melendez said. “It makes you feel important and wanted. Of course, Dana is the man and they’re both great businessmen. It’s great to be recognized and get that respect. I feel I’m a great investment for them and they made me feel that way, as well.”
Melendez is the UFC’s #2 ranked lightweight, and the #14 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion. Melendez and Dana White 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.”
The negotiations eventually broke down, leading to Melendez signing the offer sheet with Bellator.
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 canceled due to the contract dispute.
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