“El Nino” is no longer in the UFC.
Following a report from FightBoo MMA, sources confirmed to MMA Fighting on Monday that Gilbert Melendez’s time in the UFC has come to an end after five consecutive losses.
Melendez (22-8) was the WEC’s inaugural lightweight champion in 2004, but he’s best known as the two-time Strikeforce lightweight champion. He first won the Strikeforce belt in 2006 when he beat Clay Guida by decision. Melendez lost his title to rival Josh Thomson in 2008, but he won it back in their rematch and bested him again in their trilogy in what was his last Strikeforce appearance before heading to the UFC.