Gilbert Melendez: A Grudge Will Be Settled, a Dream Will Come True at UFC 188
Mexico has a long, proud history of forging hard-nosed, aggressive prizefighters—those who show a refusal to take a back step once things go live. Resilience is a badge of honor for combatants of Mexican descent, and it's an aspect of Gilbert Melendez's heritage he has proudly embraced throughout his fighting career.
The former Strikeforce lightweight champion turned UFC contender has made his name in MMA for his relentless pursuit of victory at all costs. The approach has kept El Nino one of the elite 155-pound fighters in the world for the better part of the past decade. Besides his versatile skill set, Melendez's determination has fueled a journey that's produced multiple world titles and allowed him to challenge for several more.
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The 33-year-old Skrap Pack leader has been a proud Mexican fighter every step of the way, and the perennial contender will fulfill a long-awaited dream this Saturday night at UFC 188. He will step into the Octagon to face Eddie Alvarez in front of a sold-out crowd in Mexico City, and a moment he's been envisioning for years will come front and center.
And while Melendez is quick to acknowledge emotions will be high during his walk to the cage, once the referee steps aside, he plans to give the passionate Mexican fight fans something to be proud of.
"Being able to compete in Mexico City is something I've dreamed about," Melendez told Bleacher Report. "My heritage is so important to me and is such a big part of who I am as a person. I'm a proud American, but my father is from Mexico, and the Mexican culture has always been a big part of my life. Those are my people, my blood, and when I fight I feel I fight like a Mexican warrior.
"That's something that allows me to connect to the people of Mexico, and they'll be behind me when I go out there to lay it all on the line on Saturday. They recognize my fighting spirit, and it's going to be tremendous to have their support."
Competing in Mexico City will be one of the highlights of Melendez's decorated career, but he will be looking to make the experience all the more memorable with a victory over Alvarez. The two men have circled one another for years as a rumored fight between the two best lightweights not competing on the UFC roster was a potential matchup fans were quick to get excited about.
Bleacher Report MMA Lead Writer Chad Dundas argued in a recent article that Melendez vs. Alvarez will provide the best action at UFC 188:
"Had their UFC 188 co-main event gone down a few years ago—say, anytime from 2009-11, the approximate span when Alvarez’s reign in Bellator MMA and Melendez’s dominance over Strikeforce overlapped—it might have been considered a bona fide dream fight.
As it stands, their scrap will still likely be worth the price of admission and is the odds-on favorite to scoop up Fight of the Night honors."
Yet with Melendez fighting for Strikeforce and the Philadelphia native, Alvarez, a champion for Bellator, a co-promotional showdown never materialized. That will all change Saturday as their respective fierce fighting styles will clash to make some highly anticipated ruckus in the co-main event at UFC 188.
"It's no secret there is no love lost between us, but I'm excited to get in there with a fighter who I respect for his skills and someone I've wanted to compete against for a long time," Melendez said. "The time has finally come for that to happen, and I couldn't be more fired up. We are two different warriors from two different sides of town, and we are finally going to meet up to find out who is the better scrapper. I can't wait to get in there and get after it.
"We are going to find out who is the tougher fighter physically and mentally because I guarantee it's going to be gritty, man. I'm also excited so many fans are into this fight and there is a lot of hype behind it. This one is for the fans who have been dedicated to the sport for a long time and have been following and supporting MMA for years. Those fans are in for a treat on Saturday night."
While defeating Alvarez won't catapult Melendez to the front of the title race in the crowded lightweight fold, it would certainly keep him a relevant player in the upper echelon of the 155-pound collective. Melendez has been a staple in what is arguably the most competitive division under the UFC's promotional banner, and the California representative has zero plans of vacating that position anytime soon.
He knows being turned back in two championship opportunities (by Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis) will keep him from earning a title shot in the near future. But he also knows the hard work required to make it happen. Melendez has been winning or chasing titles throughout his entire career in MMA, and while there are more pressing challenges in his path, the drive for excellence is one that never ceases.
"I've been a champion throughout my career, and it's always my goal to be the champion, but after the way some fights have gone lately I kind of feel like I've lost the privilege to talk about the title," Melendez said.
"I just have to put my focus on winning the next fight in front of me, but the drive and motivation to be the best is always there. That said, should I come out and win this fight and do it in dominant fashion, the way the weight class is looking right now it will put me right back into the mix and where I want to be.
"Experience is priceless in the fight game, and I have years of it. I have done everything there is to do and have seen it all inside the cage. I've been up at the highest level of 155 for most of the past 10 years. I've either been the champion, No. 1 contender or a top-ranked contender. I believe a win in this fight will keep me in that position and in the running for a title shot down the road. But the belt isn't my focus right now. I'm locked in on winning this fight, and we'll see where things go afterwards."
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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