Strikeforce Champ Gilbert Melendez UFC Bound
ASAP
Posted on October 2, 2011 by Ken Pishna
If there was any doubt that Strikeforce is in the depths of a vicious downward spiral, UFC president Dana White put any doubts to rest following UFC on Versus 6 on Saturday night in Washington, D.C.
White told MMAWeekly.com that the UFC is working on a deal with current Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez to bring the No. 1 155-pound fighter in the world to the Octagon.
While the deal isnt inked yet, he was emphatic in saying that Melendez is headed to the UFC.
We do want to bring Gilbert Melendez over and were looking at it right now, said White.
Melendez had been expected to defend his Strikeforce belt against Jorge Masvidal at a possible December event, but that would be off the table once a deal is struck with the UFC.
Despite holding the belt in that organization, which the UFCs parent company also owns, it is not a certainty that Melendez would get an immediate shot at UFC gold.
Its a possibility, stated White. The thing is, that division is so stacked. And usually timing has a lot to do with (who gets the next shot).
But as certain as Strikeforces days a major MMA player are numbered, so is Melendezs time there, according to White.
Were going to bring Melendez over ASAP. Were looking to bring him over now.
(Reporting by Damon Martin)
