It looks like El Nino will be making his return to the cage, but it will be at 145 pounds. The former Strikeforce lightweight champion and UFC title challenger will make a long-awaited drop to featherweight to meet Jeremy Stephens at UFC 215 in Edmonton. Veteran MMA reporter Damon Martin broke the news on Twitter:
BREAKING: Jeremy Stephens vs. Gilbert Melendez at featherweight in the works for UFC 215 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sept 9. #UFC
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 3, 2017
Melendez had hinted at the news on Twitter a couple of days ago:
Melendez (22-6, 1-4 UFC) has faced very stiff competition in his UFC career, picking up just one win over Diego Sanchez in 2013.