Gilbert Melendez
| Gilbert Melendez | |
|---|---|
Gilbert Melendez in 2009, at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event. | |
| Born | April 12, 1982 Santa Ana, California, United States |
| Other names | El Niño |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
| Division | Featherweight Lightweight |
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm) |
| Style | Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
| Fighting out of | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Team | Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu El Niño Sports Fairtex Gym |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 30 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 12 |
| By decision | 10 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Website | elninomma |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: April 18, 2010 | |
Gilbert Melendez (born April 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and a former WEC Lightweight Champion. He also competed in PRIDE FC, Shooto and Rumble on the Rock.
Melendez was nicknamed after the El Niño storm, it was given to him by a Japanese broadcaster describing his fight-style and the manner in which he stormed through the Shooto Lightweight division.