Fight! mag ranks Melendez #1, White wants him in UFC
Gil Melendez #1 in Fight! Rankings FIGHT! Magazine believes there is a need for a completely objective and unbiased ranking…
Gil Melendez #1 in Fight! Rankings
FIGHT! Magazine believes there is a need for a completely objective and unbiased ranking system for fighters to replace the myriad subjective rankings that have become skewed, in many instances, by fighter popularity. In an effort to address this issue FIGHT! Magazine brings you its computerized rankings system which takes into account a fighters strength of opponent, strength of performance, and frequency of activity. Go here for a detailed explanation of how FIGHT!’s rankings work.
Gilbert Melendez has been saying it and now our rankings agree – El Nino is the #1 lightweight in MMA. Melendez faced Tatsuya Kawajiri in a Strikeforce Lightweight Championship fight on Sat. night in San Diego, but it didn’t last long as Skrap Pack leader dominated, demolished and dismantled Kawajiri in the first round, skipping over the UFC’s top dogs from #3 to #1 in the Lightweight Rankings. Kawajiri slips from #10 to #14 following the loss.
“Gilbert’s one of the top guys in the world, no doubt about it,” White said following a pre-fight press conference in support of UFC 129, which takes place Saturday at Rogers Centre in Toronto. “I love that kid.”
“When we get these kids that come out of some other organization, they’re just so fired up and ready. They see this stuff and what’s going on here, and obviously (he’s a) longtime Jake Shields friend and training partner and sees what Jake’s going through right now.
“This is what guys dream about. If you’re a fighter, this right here – what’s happening today is what you dream about. He’s sitting back there happy for Jake and pumped for him but going, ‘Goddamn. When am I going to get my turn? I want something like this.’
“I see that in that kid every time I talk to him.”
“He’s a great guy and a talented fighter, and I’m excited for the day when we can make these fights happen.”