Gilbert Melendez not disappointed to still be in Strikeforce, focused on "underrated" Jorge Masvidal

Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, who will put his title on the line against Jorge Masvidal on December 17th, discusses his opponent, as well as whether or not he's disappointed to still be fighting in Strikeforce rather than the UFC. Melendez admits that he was "jazzed" when Dana White said he would be competing in the octagon "asap," but says he's not too upset to be defending his title against Masvidal. Photo: Francis Specker

Gilbert Melendez

"Nah, I'm not very disappointed at all (to still be in Strikeforce). The hype was there for a second, I was jazzed, I was hoping that maybe it was really happening, but I'm pumped to be fighting Jorge Masvidal and I'm pumped to be testing myself. The goal is to be here and I'm going to be here at the end of the day.The goal is to be the champ, and at the end of the day, it's going to happen. ... Yeah, (Jorge Masvidal) does excite me, but of course the UFC champ would excite a lot me more, I can't lie about that. But, yeah he does. He's a guy that has been calling me out for like the last three-years. I think one time he said, 'I'll whoop Josh Thompson and Gilbert Melendez's a-- in the same day.' I remember things like that."

Further Reading: Gilbert Melendez: I'm ready for a shot at the UFC Lightweight title