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Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez is reportedly coming to the UFC. MMAWeekly’s Damon Martin reports that UFC President Dana White says the deal is currently being worked on and that the UFC wants Melendez in the octagon.
Melendez’s agent, Malki Kawa, has apparently not received the offer but expressed over twitter that “Melendez would love nothing more than to come the UFC today! Dana White just has to make that call and he’ll be there. Meeting with the boss on monday. Got a couple of champs that got business to handle.” Kawa’s company, First Round Management, also represents UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
If the deal is completed, Melendez will become the fourth former Strikeforce champion to join the UFC following teammate and former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, former heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, and light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson. The move would leave only middleweight champion Luke Rockhold as the remaining Strikeforce men’s champion.
Melendez is currently scheduled to put his lightweight title on line against hard-hitting Jorge Masvidal this December at Strikeforce 37 in San Diego, California. Melendez is generally considered one of the top three lightweights in the world and has lobbied for a move to the UFC several times since UFC parent company Zuffa LLC. purchased a controlling interest in the company earlier this year.
Melendez’s agent, Malki Kawa, has apparently not received the offer but expressed over twitter that “Melendez would love nothing more than to come the UFC today! Dana White just has to make that call and he’ll be there. Meeting with the boss on monday. Got a couple of champs that got business to handle.” Kawa’s company, First Round Management, also represents UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
If the deal is completed, Melendez will become the fourth former Strikeforce champion to join the UFC following teammate and former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, former heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, and light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson. The move would leave only middleweight champion Luke Rockhold as the remaining Strikeforce men’s champion.
Melendez is currently scheduled to put his lightweight title on line against hard-hitting Jorge Masvidal this December at Strikeforce 37 in San Diego, California. Melendez is generally considered one of the top three lightweights in the world and has lobbied for a move to the UFC several times since UFC parent company Zuffa LLC. purchased a controlling interest in the company earlier this year.
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