Gilbert Melendez hopes to sign with the UFC after "smashing" Jorge Masvidal

I don't think Masvidal will get smashed here...

I do

If he beats Masvidal decisively, that makes him a good contender but I dont think he has done enough to be granted a immediate title shot. He didn't beat any fighters such as good as Bendo, Guida, Maynard and all those guys. I think, just like him teammate Shields, he should have to win a fight in the ufc before challenging for the belt. Maynard would be the perfect opponent. Everybody know that Maynard is still #3 , you can't deny it, he didn't win the belt but he almost did, rocking Edgar very solid in each first rounds. If Melendez can put Maynard away for a while, he'll truly be the n1 contender. But in my opinion as long as he doesn't beat any ufc fighter he isn't a legitimate contender for the ufc lightweight crown.



Anyway, I hope and think he will perform very well against Masvidal.



But, thinking about it, Dana hasn't said recently, like this weekend, that the strikeforce fighters were staying in strikeforce? Maybe that could break some of Melendez' plans uh?

Shields took on Hendo and dominated him after the first, that justifys it for me

You should always focus on the guy your about to fight and never ever take Him lightly because anything can happen. Masvidal is no joke !!! Lack of focus will cost Gilbert

Yep, he's looking past the guy and focussing on the UFC. Big mistake.

How exactly is he looking past Jorge?

He said hes in shape and the guys fighting him better be.

I dont let the confidence these guys require get mixed with overlooking though sometimes its close.

If by saying that you want to make a bold statement is looking past a guy; then these guys are right. But that is not what make a bold statement is to me. Gil is super tough and I hope they feed Gray to him for his first figh in the UFCt! The kid is bad!! Masvidal made KJ look like an underated fighter because KJ was looking past him. Gilbert is not looking past anyone. He has a lil bit of an axe to grind with ole Jorge; I guess a cuople of years back during an interview, Masvidal said thaty he would whoop Gilbert and some other cat in one night. Melendez still wants to show Jorge that is not the case, not then and especially not now.

It is a big mistake..when most people don't know who u are,don't feel u can beat any top level ufc 155 er, and don't feel u deserve a title shot at the ufc gold.

Something about this guy, I just don't like him or really anything he ever says

I feel the same way about you most of the time! Something about you.

Hunter maybe its because you know he trains with Nick and Nate Diaz. Oh yeah and Cesar Gracie.

No, I like Nick and Nate, as well as the Caesar Gracie camp for the most as a whole.

for the most as a whole? hmmm

Hope what happened to Eddie Alvarez doesn't happen to Gilbert....

Was just thinking the same thing

Gilbert will do good, but Jorge is not an easy win.

jdnextchamp you need to check your facts homey. Gil Already beat Guida.



Also, he's beat Shinya Aoki who's been a top 5 lightweight forever so i dunno where you're going with this he hasn't beat anyone garbage.



I understand that you're probably a casual mma fan and think UFC=MMA but you have to expand your mind man.



Lastly, he has way more fights than maynard or frankie.



Now will he beat frankie or bendo? who knows. But does he deserve a n immediate title shot HELL YES.



The only reason he shouldn't get an immediate title shot is for marketing reasons i.e he is not well known enough and needs to fight 1 fight first in the UFC to expose himself to the casual fans so it can create a bigger draw.

dont forget Kawajiri as well as Josh Thomson, both solid fighters.

Can't wait for this fight. Gonna be a close explosive fight.

I couldn't believe how easily Gilbert beat Aoki- but I think Jorge is a much more complete fighter in that he can put you to sleep with either hand. I definitely will watch this one live!

Aoki's only wins come by sub, Melendez knew if he didnt fall prey to a sub, he'd beat Aoki.

Wonder if Jorge would have went to the ground with Aoki? Most Brazilians are confident on the ground but Aoki is more technical than they give him credit for.

Melendez did go to the ground some with Aoki, and completely nullified Aoki's submission game. He made him look stupid.

I really dont like Aoki, but I try to post on facts and abilities first. Ever since I saw him break that guys arm then stand up and flip him off and roaring like he was a lion...then I see Sakurai KO him in 30 seconds, he crawl out the ring crying to his girlfriend. Just terrible.

Masvidal will win this on the ground via strikes. The dude has the reach advantage plus I feel he has more power & speed than El Nino.

Melendez > Edgar...

Whether this true or not, sadly, the reality is Gil looks like he's gonna be the one champ who "pays the price" and has to stay in strikeforce since this new showtime deal is on the table.



But if I was to be optimistic, Werdum is going over now so maybe Dana was just saying that "strikeforce guys will stay in strikeforce stuff" (Unless the werdum deal was in talks before this happened)



Ahhh speculation how you waste our time.

But Gil is not just another StrikeForce guy. He's exciting, talented and articulate. This kid is the total package. He's humble too. Instead of crying about not going to th UFC, he's waiting patiently; and his time has got to come.

Oh and yes, Gilbert whoops Masvidal by the third round... TKO...