There’s no doubt that Gilbert Melendez is one of the best fighters in MMA.
Melendez is a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight champion and has gone 1-1 in the UFC which consists of a controversial split-decision loss to Benson Henderson for the UFC Lightweight championship and a 2013 “Fight of the Year” candidate against Diego Sanchez, which Melendez won via unanimous decision.
Following the victory over Sanchez, Melendez’s contract with Zuffa came to an end. It seemed clear that Melendez would be re-signed as he just came out on top in a war with a tough veteran in Sanchez and is still very much in the title picture. However, on Wednesday’s “UFC Tonight” Ariel Helwani reported that things are not going so well with contract negotiations and that UFC President Dana White is at his wits end with the situation.
Here’s what White had to say:
“I’m done. It’s not going well and I couldn’t care less at this point. I like Gilbert Melendez very much. I just don’t like his management. If Gilbert Melendez wants to fight in the UFC he better call Lorenzo Fertitta quickly, but he should also probably start looking elsewhere.”
So, will we see Melendez back in the UFC octagon, or will he have to find work elsewhere?