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Gilbert Melendez

"El Niño"
22-8-0★ 2bonusesUnited StatesUnited StatesLast 5
Amateur MMA 2-0Grappling 1-1-2

Last fight: Loss vs Arnold Allen · Unanimous Decision · Jul 6, 2019

22-8-0 · 12 finishes · Full stats →
LAST FIGHT
LOSSvs Arnold AllenUD · R3 5:00
UFCUFC 239: Jones vs Santos·July 6, 2019

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CAREER SUMMARY

Gilbert Melendez holds a professional MMA record of 22-8-0. Melendez has won 22 fights: 12 by KO/TKO, 0 by submission, 10 by decision. Of 8 career losses, 0 came by KO/TKO and 1 by submission. In the UFC, Melendez lands 2.75 significant strikes per minute with 29% accuracy and averages 0.42 takedowns per 15 minutes. Melendez also has 4 recorded Grappling bouts. Most recent fight: July 6, 2019. Tracked organizations: UFC, STRIKEFORCE, PRIDE FC, WEC.

Profile

Height
5'9"175 cm
Weight
145 lbs66 kg
Reach
73"185 cm
Stance
Orthodox
DOB
Apr 12, 1982
Age
44
Nationality
United States
Birthplace
Santa Ana, California, United States

Latest on Gilbert Melendez

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Career history

  1. LOSS
    vs Arnold Allen
    UFC 239: Jones vs Santos· Jul 6, 2019· Featherweight· 22-8 vs 15-1
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  2. LOSS
    vs Jeremy Stephens
    UFC 215: Nunes vs Shevchenko 2· Sep 9, 2017· Featherweight· 22-7 vs 26-14
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
    FOTN
  3. LOSS
    vs Edson Barboza
    UFC Fight Night: Holm vs Shevchenko· Jul 23, 2016· Lightweight· 22-6 vs 18-4
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  4. LOSS
    vs Eddie Alvarez
    UFC 188: Velasquez vs Werdum· Jun 13, 2015· Lightweight· 22-5 vs 26-4
    SD
    R3 · 5:00
  5. LOSS
    vs Anthony PettisTitle bout
    UFC 181: Hendricks vs Lawler II· Dec 6, 2014· Lightweight· 22-4 vs 18-2
    SUB
    R2 · 1:53
  6. WIN
    vs Diego Sanchez
    UFC 166: Velasquez vs Dos Santos III· Oct 19, 2013· Lightweight· 22-3 vs 24-6
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
    FOTN
  7. LOSS
    vs Benson HendersonTitle bout
    UFC on FOX: Henderson vs Melendez· Apr 20, 2013· Lightweight· 21-3 vs 19-2
    SD
    R5 · 5:00
  8. WIN
    vs Josh Thomson×9Title bout · Title win #9
    Strikeforce: Barnett vs Cormier· May 18, 2012· Lightweight· 21-2 vs 21-5
    SD
    R5 · 5:00
  9. WIN
    vs Jorge Masvidal×8Title bout · Title win #8
    Strikeforce: Melendez vs Masvidal· Dec 16, 2011· Lightweight· 20-2 vs 22-7
    UD
    R5 · 5:00
  10. WIN
    vs Tatsuya Kawajiri×7Title bout · Title win #7
    Strikeforce: Diaz vs Daley· Apr 8, 2011· Lightweight· 19-2 vs 27-7-2
    TKO
    R1 · 3:14
  11. WIN
    vs Shinya Aoki×6Title bout · Title win #6
    Strikeforce: Nashville· Apr 16, 2010· Lightweight· 18-2 vs 23-5
    UD
    R5 · 5:00
  12. WIN
    vs Josh Thomson×5Title bout · Title win #5
    Strikeforce: Evolution· Dec 18, 2009· Lightweight· 17-2 vs 18-3
    UD
    R5 · 5:00
  13. WIN
    vs Mitsuhiro Ishida×4Title bout · Title win #4
    Strikeforce: Carano vs Cyborg· Aug 14, 2009· Lightweight· 16-2 vs 18-6-1
    TKO
    R3 · 3:56
  14. WIN
    vs Rodrigo Damm×3Title bout · Title win #3
    Strikeforce: Shamrock vs Diaz· Apr 10, 2009· Lightweight· 15-2 vs 8-3
    TKO
    R2 · 2:02
  15. LOSS
    vs Josh ThomsonTitle bout
    Strikeforce: Melendez vs Thomson· Jun 26, 2008· Lightweight· 14-2 vs 17-2
    UD
    R5 · 5:00
  16. WIN
    vs Gabe Lemley×2Title bout · Title win #2
    Strikeforce: Shamrock vs Le· Mar 28, 2008· Lightweight· 14-1 vs 11-7
    TKO
    R2 · 2:18
  17. LOSS
    vs Mitsuhiro Ishida
    Yarennoka!: New Years Eve 2007· Dec 31, 2007· Lightweight· 13-1 vs 15-3-1
    UD
  18. WIN
    vs Tetsuji Kato
    Strikeforce - Playboy Mansion· Sep 28, 2007· Lightweight· 13-0 vs 19-8
    UD
    R3 · 5:00
  19. WIN
    vs Tatsuya Kawajiri
    PRIDE FC · PRIDE: Shockwave 2006· Dec 31, 2006· Lightweight· 12-0 vs 19-4-2
    UD
    R2 · 5:00
  20. WIN
    vs Nobuhiro Obiya
    PRIDE FC · PRIDE Bushido 12· Aug 26, 2006· Lightweight· 11-0 vs 9-1-1
    UD
    R2 · 5:00
  21. WIN
    vs Clay Guida×1Title bout · Title win #1
    Strikeforce: Revenge· Jun 8, 2006· Lightweight· 10-0 vs 19-5
    SD
    R5 · 5:00
  22. WIN
    vs Harris Sarmiento
    Strikeforce: Shamrock vs Gracie· Mar 9, 2006· Lightweight· 9-0 vs 20-13
    TKO
    R2 · 0:44
  23. WIN
    vs Rumina Sato
    Shooto· Aug 20, 2005· 8-0 vs 23-9-2
    TKO
  24. WIN
    vs Naoya Uematsu
    Shooto· May 4, 2005· 7-0 vs 14-4-2
    TKO
  25. WIN
    vs Hiroyuki Takaya
    Shooto: Year End Show 2004· Dec 14, 2004· Lightweight· 6-0 vs 4-1-1
    UD
  26. WIN
    vs Kaynan Kaku
    Rumble On The Rock 6· Nov 20, 2004· Lightweight· 5-0 vs 5-1
    TKO
    R2 · 3:58
  27. WIN
    vs Olaf Alfonso×1Title bout · Title win #1
    WEC 10: Bragging Rights· May 20, 2004· Lightweight· 4-0 vs 3-1
    TKO
    R3 · 4:54
  28. WIN
    vs Stephen Palling
    Rumble On The Rock 4· Oct 10, 2003· Featherweight· 3-0 vs 11-5-1
    TKO
    R2 · 4:59
  29. WIN
    vs Jeff Hougland
    WEC 6: Return of a Legend· Mar 26, 2003· Lightweight· 2-0 vs 2-3
    TKO
    R2 · 2:05
  30. WIN
    vs Gary Quan
    WEC 5: Halloween Fury· Oct 17, 2002· Lightweight· 1-0 vs 0-2
    TKO
    R1 · 4:37

Title bout· ×N = title win number N in that promotion

Background

Credentials, amateur pedigree and camp

Camp

  • El Nino Training Center

Fight DNA

Complete Fighter

UFCalendar's style model · Featherweight roster (339 fighters)

PowerSpeedPrecisionDurabilityEngineWrestlingGround
Punch power53
Kick power51
Punch speed67
Kick speed55
Accuracy66
Takedowns59
Ground striking53
Submissions71
Chin94
Body strength94
Cardio98

Attributes are rated 0-100 by UFCalendar's style model.

By the numbers

Pro MMARecord: 22-8-0 · Source: UFCalendar
Striking
Strikes landed2.75per min
29% accuracy
Strikes absorbed3.98per min
59% avoided
Grappling
Takedowns landed0.42per 15 min
17% success
Takedowns stuffed75%
Submission attempts0.0per 15 min
UFC careerRecord: 1-6-0 · Source: UFCStats.com
Striking
Strikes landed2.75per min
29% accuracy
Strikes absorbed3.98per min
59% avoided
Grappling
Takedowns landed0.42per 15 min
17% success
Takedowns stuffed75%
Submission attempts0.0per 15 min
See every fight's numbers

Where they rank

All-time boards where Gilbert Melendez sits in the top 25.

Bonus résumé

Gilbert Melendez has won 2 UFC post-fight bonuses. Estimated bonus earnings: $100,000.

★ Fight of the Night ×2
  1. ★ FOTNvs Jeremy Stephens · UFC 215: Nunes vs Shevchenko 2Sep 9, 2017
  2. ★ FOTNvs Diego Sanchez · UFC 166: Velasquez vs Dos Santos IIIOct 19, 2013

Estimates use each era's real amount: $50,000 from 2012, $100,000 from UFC 324, plus $25,000 finish incentives.

All-time bonus leaders →

Related fighters

Recent & upcoming opponents

Salary & career earnings

Disclosed purses, reported paydays and what we estimate Gilbert Melendez earns per fight.

Gilbert Melendez's salary & career earnings →

Official UFC Ranking

Gilbert Melendez's standing in the official UFC rankings, tracked since 2013.

Current
Unranked
Peak
#1 Lightweight
First ranked
Feb 4, 2013
Times ranked
139

Men's Pound-for-Pound

#1#5#10#152014Dec 30, 2013 · #15Jan 17, 2014 · #14Feb 17, 2014 · #13Mar 10, 2014 · #14Mar 24, 2014 · #13Mar 25, 2014 · #14Apr 14, 2014 · #15Apr 18, 2014 · #14Apr 21, 2014 · #13May 12, 2014 · #14May 26, 2014 · #15Sep 22, 2014 · #15#15

Lightweight

#1#5#10#152014201520162017Feb 4, 2013 · #1Sep 2, 2013 · #2Apr 21, 2014 · #1May 26, 2014 · #2Jun 2, 2014 · #1Jun 9, 2014 · #2Aug 25, 2014 · #1Dec 8, 2014 · #2Dec 15, 2014 · #3Jan 5, 2015 · #4Jun 15, 2015 · #5Jun 29, 2015 · #5Jul 27, 2016 · #14Aug 31, 2016 · #12Oct 5, 2016 · #11Nov 16, 2016 · #12Feb 1, 2017 · #11Feb 13, 2017 · #12Mar 15, 2017 · #13Apr 26, 2017 · #14Jun 21, 2017 · #13Jul 10, 2017 · #15Sep 4, 2017 · #14#14

View full UFC rankings →

UFCalendar Power Index rating

Current
1749▼9
Peak
1944Oct 19, 2013
Rated fights
30
1500165018001950200320062009201220152018Oct 18, 2002 · 1546Mar 27, 2003 · 1589Oct 10, 2003 · 1642May 21, 2004 · 1706Nov 20, 2004 · 1740Dec 14, 2004 · 1767May 4, 2005 · 1791Aug 20, 2005 · 1813Mar 10, 2006 · 1827Jun 9, 2006 · 1837Aug 26, 2006 · 1853Dec 31, 2006 · 1874Sep 29, 2007 · 1885Dec 31, 2007 · 1862Mar 29, 2008 · 1877Jun 27, 2008 · 1844Apr 11, 2009 · 1868Aug 15, 2009 · 1896Dec 19, 2009 · 1906Apr 17, 2010 · 1917Apr 9, 2011 · 1932Dec 17, 2011 · 1939May 19, 2012 · 1943Apr 20, 2013 · 1936Oct 19, 2013 · 1944Dec 6, 2014 · 1903Jun 13, 2015 · 1897Jul 24, 2016 · 1871Sep 9, 2017 · 1843Jul 7, 2019 · 17491749

See the full Power Index →

Frequently asked questions

When does Gilbert Melendez fight next?

Gilbert Melendez has no confirmed upcoming fight.

What is Gilbert Melendez's record?

Gilbert Melendez's professional MMA record is 22-8-0.

Who is Gilbert Melendez fighting next?

Gilbert Melendez's next opponent has not been announced.

Who did Gilbert Melendez fight last?

Gilbert Melendez most recently fought Arnold Allen at UFC 239: Jones vs Santos on Saturday, July 6, 2019, LOSS (Unanimous Decision).

What weight class does Gilbert Melendez fight in?

Gilbert Melendez fights at Featherweight.

How many knockouts does Gilbert Melendez have?

Gilbert Melendez has 12 wins by KO/TKO and 0 wins by submission.

How many UFC bonuses has Gilbert Melendez won?

Gilbert Melendez has won 2 UFC post-fight bonuses: 2× Fight of the Night.

How tall is Gilbert Melendez?

Gilbert Melendez is 5'9" (175 cm) tall.

How much does Gilbert Melendez weigh?

Gilbert Melendez weighs 145 lbs (66 kg).

What is Gilbert Melendez's reach?

Gilbert Melendez has a reach of 73" (185 cm).

How old is Gilbert Melendez?

Gilbert Melendez is 44 years old (born Apr 12, 1982).

Where is Gilbert Melendez from?

Gilbert Melendez is from the United States.

Get Gilbert Melendez's fight history and stats as JSON with the MMA Fight Data API →