Bellator Agree Terms with Gilbert Melendez, UFC Given Chance to Match
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts
At 22-3, Gilbert Melendez sits atop the UFC’s lightweight division. With victories over Josh Thomson, Diego Sanchez, Shinya Aoki and Jorge Masvidal, “El Nino” is ready for a new crop of challengers as the Santa Ana native has agreed to a multi-fight, multi-year deal structure with Bellator that can pit Melendez against some of MMA’s best, including Eddie Alvarez, Michael Chandler, Will Brooks, Dave Jansen and a host of top lightweights from around the world.
“The moment Gil was legally able to explore the free agent market, Gil’s management team reached out to me and we began figuring out how to bring Gil to Bellator,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “It’s no secret that I’ve been a big “El Nino” fan for many years. Gil was one of the first fighters I tried to sign when I launched Bellator back in 2008, and he’s grown and developed into one of the best and most exciting lightweights on earth. Gil has a vision for what he wants to accomplish both inside and outside the cage and we can help make his vision a reality. We are in the business of developing and showcasing the greatest fighters on earth. That’s what we intend to do here with Gil and it’s what we’ll continue to do in the future.”
The UFC lightweight contender is currently out of contract having completed the remainder of is contract with the now-defunt Strikeforce, where Melendez was champion, in the UFC. The UFC currently holds matching rights on Melendez however UFC President Dana White said on Wednesady he was done with dealing with Melendez's rep, Rodolphe Beaulieu who as manages Georges St. Pierre, advising Melendez to contact Lorenzo Fertitta “quick” if he hopes to salvage any deal.
The ball is now in the UFCs court, but it will remain to be seen if a deal can be agreed.
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