Gilbert Melendez Scouting Report
Vitals
5’9″ 145 lbs (Featherweight)
71″ reach, Orthodox
April 12, 1982
Record
22-8 (UFC: 1-6)
Current Streak
5 straight losses
Training
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Championships Held
WEC Lightweight Champion: 2004 (no title defenses)
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion: 2006-2008 (one successful title defense); 2009-2012 (four successful title defenses)
Interim Strikeforce Lightweight Champion: 2009 (one successful title defense)
Strengths
– extremely experienced
– above average reach
– has only been stopped once in a fight
– knockout power
– big heart
– great cardio – often gets stronger as fight goes on
– very good striking defense
– solid takedown defense
– very good MMA boxer
– vast championship experience
– used to fighting bigger fighters at lighweight
– fights out of a good fight camp
Weaknesses
– on the wrong side of 30
– faced questionable competition throughout his career
– horribly inaccurate striker
– poor takedown accuracy (and doesn’t land many)
– doesn’t look for submissions
– doesn’t throw many kicks – mostly a boxer
– failed drug test
– in a big slump
Synopsis
Gilbert Melendez has always been considered one of the top lightweights in the world – now he’ll try to do the same at 145.
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