Gilbert Melendez Scouting Report

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.