After narrowly losing a split decision to then UFC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson last April, Gilbert Melendez could now be looking for fights elsewhere after a report from Ariel Helwani that suggests contract negotiations between the former Strikeforce Champ and the UFC have hit a brick wall.
“It’s not looking good. I spoke to UFC President Dana White yesterday.” Helwani said, “He said, ‘I’m done with Gilbert. I like Gilbert very much, but I don’t like his manager.’ He has the same manager as GSP. Dana said: ‘Being GSP’s best friend doesn’t make you a good manager.’ Dana said if Gilbert wants to fight in the UFC, he should call Lorenzo quickly and he also should start looking elsewhere.”
The top ten ranked Melendez picked up a fight of the night bonus in his last outing, a unanimous decision victory over Diego Sanchez.
