Gilbert "el niÑo" melendez
Gilbert Melendez found his destiny on a wrestling mat at Santa Ana High. He worked out and trained with some of the best wrestlers in California. He remembers all of the lessons Saints coach Scott Glabb taught him in those days, and he still relies on that Santa Ana education now that he competes in mixed martial arts. Melendez has developed into one of the top 155-pound MMA fighters in the world
Melendez, a 2000 Santa Ana graduate, was a two-time state qualifier during his high school career and earned a scholarship to San Francisco State. Melendez became disillusioned with his college wrestling team. He came from an environment at Santa Ana where there were great wrestlers at every weight class pushing each other to be better. His San Francisco State teammates didn’t have that same work ethic. Gilbert met another wrestler named Jake Shields who had the same work ethic as he did. Jake introduced Gilbert to the mixed martial arts.
Melendez now trains with Shields, a top-rated welterweight, and
Muay Thai specialist Jongsanan Fairtex out of the highly-regarded
Fairtex camp in San Francisco.
With his wrestling background, Muay Thai training,
Jiu-Jitsu skills, and aggressive nature, Melendez has become an
accomplished MMA fighter. He won the WEC lightweight title, the
Grapplers Quest title, an IFC tournament and a Rumble on the Rock
Superfight.
Gilbert started to make his mark when he went over to
Japan to fight in the Shooto organization. He beat Shooto’s top three
143-pound fighters to become the No. 1 contender. Melendez’s 12-0
record and impressive list of credentials caught the eye of the Pride
organization. He has signed a deal to fight with the Pride organization
and Strikeforce. With two wins under his belt for Pride FC, he has
improved his record to 19 - 2..
Nick Name El Nino
Record 19 - 2 - 0 (Win - Loss - Draw)
Wins 11 (T)KOs ( 57.89 %)
1 Submissions ( 5.26 %)
7 Decisions ( 36.84 %)
Losses 2 Decisions ( 100 %)
Association Skrap Pack
Height 5'9" (176cm)
Weight 155lbs (71kg)
Birth Date 1982-04-12
City: Santa Ana, California
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