Gilbert Melendez

El Nino

USA

Handed two-year ban
FeatherweightOther
July 28, 2020
Melendez has been suspended two years by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for GHRP-6 and its metabolites stemming from an out-of-competition sample in October, Danny Segura of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Melendez hasn't competed since July and was released from the UFC back in October, but it was never completely clear if the 38-year-old had decided to officially retire from MMA. The sample collection came just days after his UFC release, so Melendez is rightfully questioning whether USADA had jurisdiction to collect a sample or not. Nonetheless, an independent arbitrator has apparently ruled in USADA's favor, leaving Melendez banned from the UFC through November of 2021. Should Melendez decide to sign on with a separate promotion, he would be subject to that promotion's drug testing policies, and USADA's ruling wouldn't necessarily hold up. That could leave the door open to an eventual return to competition, if that's what Melendez desires. While his UFC run ended on a low note with a five-fight losing streak, Melendez is historically one of the more exciting lightweights that competed at an incredibly high level through most of his tenure with the company.
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Dropped by UFC
FeatherweightOther
November 11, 2019
Melendez was released by the UFC on Monday, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
That's what happens when you lose five straight fights. Melendez joined the promotion back in 2013 and earned a pair of title fights, losing both. He went 1-6 overall since joining the UFC and hadn't won a fight since 2013. Now 37 years old, it's unclear if Melendez intends to keep fighting with a new organization or if he'll switch to coaching.
Falls to 1-6 in last seven fights
FeatherweightOther
July 6, 2019
Melendez lost to Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 239 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Melendez was not competitive in his first fight since September 2017. Going up a younger, quicker, and more powerful opponent, Melendez -- a boxer by trade -- was picked apart on the feet by Allen. Gil was one of the best fighters in the world for quite a long time, but it has become abundantly clear the 37-year-old has all but reached the finish line if he is not there already. Melendez has now lost five straight fights and has just one win dating back to April 2013.
Scheduled for UFC 239
FeatherweightOther
May 8, 2019
Melendez has been added to UFC 239 in Las Vegas on July 6 against Arnold Allen.
ANALYSIS
The two were supposed to meet up Nov. 30, 2018, at the finale of The Ultimate Fighter, but Melendez had to pull out with an undisclosed injury. Allen then also had to pull out of the fight due to injury, so now the two will give it a second chance with a potential clash in Las Vegas. Since then, Melendez hasn't returned to the Octagon and Allen defeated Jordan Rinaldi in his sole outing.
Withdraws from Allen fight
FeatherweightOther
November 5, 2018
Melendez has pulled out of his bout against Arnold Allen with an undisclosed injury, Damon Martin of MMA NYTT reports.
ANALYSIS
There's been no word yet on the extent or the severity of the injury that has forced Melendez out of The Ultimate Fighter finale, but we do know it's enough to allow Rick Glenn to take his place Nov. 30. Until more comes out about what's ailing Melendez, it's unclear when his next fight will be.
Sees final bell despite significant leg injury
FeatherweightOther
September 9, 2017
Melendez lost to Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (26-30, 26-30, 25-30) at UFC 215 on Saturday in Edmonton.
ANALYSIS
Melendez is stupidly tough. Fighting on one leg for the majority of the fight after eating several low kicks from Stephens early, Gil somehow managed to see the final bell in a fight in which he was injured almost immediately. Melendez's entire game plan was compromised due to the injury. He obviously couldn't properly defend himself and the injury severely limited his offensive arsenal. Tough circumstances asides, Gilbert has now lost four fights in a row and he has just one win in the past five-plus years. His past body of work makes it likely that Melendez will earn one more opportunity to prove himself.