No longer UFC-bound, Strikeforce’s Melendez insists focus still unchanged

SAN DIEGO – It’s amazing how much a single phone call can completely change the stakes of a fistfight.

For the past few weeks, it was generally assumed that Strikeforce
lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez was taking part
in what amounted to a UFC qu…

SAN DIEGO – It’s amazing how much a single phone call can completely change the stakes of a fistfight.

For the past few weeks, it was generally assumed that Strikeforce
lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez was taking part
in what amounted to a UFC qualification bout against sometimes
welterweight Jorge Masvidal.

But on a Thursday media conference call, UFC president Dana White
revealed Melendez would be staying put, win or lose. Has the rapid turn
of events proven distracting for Melendez?