When former Strikeforce 155-pound Champion Gilbert Melendez said goodbye to Scott Coker and Co. to ply his trade for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), “El Nino” was ranked No. 1 in the world, second only to then-lightweight titleholder Benson Henderson.
Fast forward nearly four years and Melendez, 34, can’t even crack the top 10.
That’s because the longtime “Skrap Pack” member has been unable to find the win column in his last three outings, dropping four of his last five and managing just one victory inside the Octagon.
Which is why Melendez told MMA Junkie he’s contemplating a drop to 145 pounds.