Gilbert Melendez Biography: Gilbert Melendez is an American MMA fighter who used to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Lightweight division. He is a former WEC Lightweight Champion and two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion. He has also competed in the Sooto, Rumble on the Rock, and PRIDE FC. To know everything about Melendez, read this biography till the end.
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Gilbert Melendez Biography
Gilbert Melendez Biography: Gilbert Melendez was born in April 1982 in Santa Ana, California. He wrestled in high school at Santa Ana High School. Melendez has always been interested in combat sports and competition, but he didn’t begin training in MMA until after college when he was exposed to the discipline by his good friend and MMA fighter Jake Shields.
Melendez attended San Francisco State University and studied liberal arts; he planned to become a teacher but did not complete his schooling and obtain a degree due to MMA training and working outside the college.
He has said that he hopes to complete his college education eventually. He worked as a waitress before becoming a professional boxer, and he also worked at a Fairtex gear shop, which would ultimately become one of his sponsors. Gilbert Melendez is an American MMA fighter who used to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Lightweight division. He is a former WEC Lightweight Champion and two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion.
Gilbert Melendez Wikipedia
Gilbert Melendez Biography: Gilbert Melendez was born in April 1982 in Santa Ana, California. According to 2024, he is 42 years old.
| Name | Gilbert Melendez |
| Date Of Birth | 12 April 1982 |
| Birth Place | Santa Ana, California |
| Age | 42 years old (as of 2024) |
| Height | 5ft 9inch |
| Weight | 70Kg |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Profession | Mixed Martial Artist |
| Net Worth | $400 thousand |
| Car Collection | N/A |
Gilbert Melendez’s Personal Life
Melendez and his wife, Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez, had their first child on August 8, 2010. Keri Anne is a professional Muay Thai fighter with a 10-2 record (Muay Thai and Kickboxing). She also had a knockout win in MMA.
Also Read: Jake Shields Biography, Wiki, Net Worth, Personal Life, MMA & UFC Career
What Is Gilbert Melendez Net Worth?
Gilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist with a $400 thousand net worth, as per the official source.
Gilbert Melendez MMA Career
Melendez debuted in World Extreme Cagefighting and began his career by dominating his opponents, winning his first three fights by knockout due to punches before receiving the opportunity to fight for the first WEC Lightweight Championship against fan favorite Olaf Alfonso at WEC 10. Due to strikes, Melendez won the fight by TKO and became the first WEC Lightweight Champion.
Melendez, still undefeated, made his début in Japan’s Shooto against Hiroyuki Takaya, which he won by unanimous decision two fights later. Melendez then added two more TKO victories in Shooto, increasing his record to 8-0, before making his Strikeforce debut against Harris Sarmiento, which he won by knocking out his opponent due to strikes.
On September 29, 2012, in Sacramento, California, Melendez was scheduled to face Pat Healy for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship. On September 22, 2012, it was announced that Melendez suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the fight.
Due to Melendez’s injury, Showtime chose not to air the card without the main event, causing Strikeforce to cancel the second MMA card to be withdrawn within a month by Zuffa. The fight with Healy was rescheduled for January 12, 2013, at the Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine event, but Melendez again withdrew due to a shoulder injury.
Gilbert Melendez UFC Career
On January 12, 2013, Zuffa, its parent company, merged the promotion of the Strikeforce into the UFC. Melendez received a right away at the UFC championship and made his promotional debut on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7 against Benson Henderson. A split decision in a close fight defeated Melendez.
Melendez fought Jeremy Stephens at featherweight at UFC 215 on September 9, 2017. A unanimous decision in the fight defeated him. Both competitors received Fight of the Night awards for their performances.
Melendez was scheduled to face Arnold Allen at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale on November 30, 2018. On November 5, Melendez withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Rick Glenn. Melendez fought Arnold Allen at UFC 239 on July 6, 2019. A unanimous decision in the fight defeated him.
Melendez fought Arnold Allen at UFC 239 on July 6, 2019. He was defeated by a unanimous decision. Melendez was rumored to have been released by UFC on November 11, 2019.
Gilbert Melendez Social Media
- Instagram: @gilbertmelendez
- X: @GilbertMelendez
