Author: Duane Finley

Ryan Bader Continues Hire Heroes USA Partnership with $5,000 Donation

Ryan Bader’s support of the United States military has been one of the light heavyweight contender’s primary focuses during his time under the UFC banner, and those efforts are continuing with his most recent contribution to Hire Heroes USA…

Ryan Bader’s support of the United States military has been one of the light heavyweight contender’s primary focuses during his time under the UFC banner, and those efforts are continuing with his most recent contribution to Hire Heroes USA.

The former Arizona State-wrestling-standout-turned top-ranked mixed martial artist’s $5,000 donation to the organization lead by former UFC standout and decorated military veteran Brian Stann is the latest contribution in what has been an ongoing effort from the Nevada native. Over the past five years, Bader has worked with companies dedicated to providing support for service men and women who are returning from war and attempting to adjust to civilian life.

Hire Heroes puts their focus on assisting those soldiers establish employment—with their current rate of success placing 50 veterans in jobs per week—and Bader’s most recent donation will ensure more service members will return to the workforce.

Throughout his career, the Power MMA leader has cited the sacrifices made by soldiers in the American Armed Forces as a huge source of inspiration in both his personal and professional lives, and has worked diligently to use his platform as a professional athlete to give back to a cause that means a great deal to him.

While the men and women returning from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq certainly have a complex journey ahead of them when returning stateside, Bader is an athlete who truly believes every bit of help—whether monetary or personal time invested—can and should be made.

“One of the things Ryan liked best about our operation is he could see exactly how detailed we do our work, how we spend our money and the successes we’ve had,” Stann told Bleacher Report. “He could see our proven metrics, and after seeing those things, he decided to donate $5,000 of his purse from his fight with Phil Davis in Sweden.

“That is a lot of money for an individual to donate, especially when that individual isn’t a Fortune 500 CEO with tens of millions in the bank. That donation he made was extraordinarily generous, and he was set to make another donation for his fight on June 6 in New Orleans, but when I saw his fight got pushed back, I didn’t expect anything.

“Then Ryan calls to tell me he still wants to provide his support and has made a second contribution to Hire Heroes for $5,000 and we are in talks for him to do even more. Those things are humbling to see and really say a lot about who Ryan Bader is.”

While Bader’s philanthropic works are measures he pursues beyond circumstances, his donation to Hire Heroes comes at a time when the environment he makes a living in is drastically shifting. The surging 205-pound contender has been vocal about how the upcoming Reebok deal with the UFC will impact his personal bottom line, as he is set to lose a solid portion of the income he generates through sponsorships when the program begins in July.

The fighter and his management are hoping those losses will only exist in the short term as Bader recently extended his partnerships with American Ethanol—who also has a lengthy track record of supporting the American military—Sanford Health and Cytosport in long-term agreements. Yet, regardless of how the current structure of the UFC’s sponsorship deal will affect things in the months to come, Bader’s work with the military will continue.

His recent contribution to Hire Heroes serves as further proof of his ongoing commitment.

“Ryan sees the soldiers as the real heroes and does everything he can to give back to them,” his manager, Dave Martin, told Bleacher Report. “Just being able to have the career he has is something he credits the United States military for making possible. He really looks up to the men and women who protect this country and it’s more than just writing a check to him. Every time he’s on a fight card, he buys tickets, he gives to veterans and takes them out to dinner on fight week. That’s how much they mean to him.

“When you factor in what he’s going to lose per fight in the Reebok deal—at least in the short term—it really shows what Ryan Bader is all about. He’s a man of strong character, and that’s the reason these companies like American Ethanol, Cytosport and Sanford Health are staying with him despite the shift in the sponsorship landscape.”

In addition to the monetary donation Bader made to Hire Heroes, Stann also confirmed The Ultimate Fighter Season Eight winner will work with the foundation in other areas as well. The Silver Star medal recipient is excited about the partnership and believes Bader’s involvement will bring attention and assistance to one of the most serious issues the men and women who have served their nation in combat are facing.

Stann and Hire Heroes are looking forward to future endeavors with Bader as they will continue to help service members’ transition into their next life beyond the military.

“As beneficial as the finances are, he lets us know he wanted wear our logo on his shirt on his way out to the Octagon to fight Phil Davis live on Fox. We were grateful and surprised because these are things he doesn’t have to do.

“As it turns out, a day later a person registers for help on our website specifically citing Ryan Bader, and inside of two months that young man was in a new job. He is now gainfully employed and receiving a good paycheck. It was really cool to see that happen, and that’s just one example of the things that have happened from Ryan’s efforts.

“He goes to different conventions and meetings with his sponsors and different companies he’s been endorsed by before and trying to get them on board about hiring more service members. That’s fantastic because he’s basically leveraging his entire brand to coincide with our mission to do what we have set out to do.

“Those efforts really speak volumes for Ryan’s character. He’s a very patriotic guy who really believes in the assisting and ensuring the right care and proper transition takes place for service members going into the workforce.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Ryan Bader Continues Hire Heroes USA Partnership with $5,000 Donation

Ryan Bader’s support of the United States military has been one of the light heavyweight contender’s primary focuses during his time under the UFC banner, and those efforts are continuing with his most recent contribution to Hire Heroes USA…

Ryan Bader’s support of the United States military has been one of the light heavyweight contender’s primary focuses during his time under the UFC banner, and those efforts are continuing with his most recent contribution to Hire Heroes USA.

The former Arizona State-wrestling-standout-turned top-ranked mixed martial artist’s $5,000 donation to the organization lead by former UFC standout and decorated military veteran Brian Stann is the latest contribution in what has been an ongoing effort from the Nevada native. Over the past five years, Bader has worked with companies dedicated to providing support for service men and women who are returning from war and attempting to adjust to civilian life.

Hire Heroes puts their focus on assisting those soldiers establish employment—with their current rate of success placing 50 veterans in jobs per week—and Bader’s most recent donation will ensure more service members will return to the workforce.

Throughout his career, the Power MMA leader has cited the sacrifices made by soldiers in the American Armed Forces as a huge source of inspiration in both his personal and professional lives, and has worked diligently to use his platform as a professional athlete to give back to a cause that means a great deal to him.

While the men and women returning from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq certainly have a complex journey ahead of them when returning stateside, Bader is an athlete who truly believes every bit of help—whether monetary or personal time invested—can and should be made.

“One of the things Ryan liked best about our operation is he could see exactly how detailed we do our work, how we spend our money and the successes we’ve had,” Stann told Bleacher Report. “He could see our proven metrics, and after seeing those things, he decided to donate $5,000 of his purse from his fight with Phil Davis in Sweden.

“That is a lot of money for an individual to donate, especially when that individual isn’t a Fortune 500 CEO with tens of millions in the bank. That donation he made was extraordinarily generous, and he was set to make another donation for his fight on June 6 in New Orleans, but when I saw his fight got pushed back, I didn’t expect anything.

“Then Ryan calls to tell me he still wants to provide his support and has made a second contribution to Hire Heroes for $5,000 and we are in talks for him to do even more. Those things are humbling to see and really say a lot about who Ryan Bader is.”

While Bader’s philanthropic works are measures he pursues beyond circumstances, his donation to Hire Heroes comes at a time when the environment he makes a living in is drastically shifting. The surging 205-pound contender has been vocal about how the upcoming Reebok deal with the UFC will impact his personal bottom line, as he is set to lose a solid portion of the income he generates through sponsorships when the program begins in July.

The fighter and his management are hoping those losses will only exist in the short term as Bader recently extended his partnerships with American Ethanol—who also has a lengthy track record of supporting the American military—Sanford Health and Cytosport in long-term agreements. Yet, regardless of how the current structure of the UFC’s sponsorship deal will affect things in the months to come, Bader’s work with the military will continue.

His recent contribution to Hire Heroes serves as further proof of his ongoing commitment.

“Ryan sees the soldiers as the real heroes and does everything he can to give back to them,” his manager, Dave Martin, told Bleacher Report. “Just being able to have the career he has is something he credits the United States military for making possible. He really looks up to the men and women who protect this country and it’s more than just writing a check to him. Every time he’s on a fight card, he buys tickets, he gives to veterans and takes them out to dinner on fight week. That’s how much they mean to him.

“When you factor in what he’s going to lose per fight in the Reebok deal—at least in the short term—it really shows what Ryan Bader is all about. He’s a man of strong character, and that’s the reason these companies like American Ethanol, Cytosport and Sanford Health are staying with him despite the shift in the sponsorship landscape.”

In addition to the monetary donation Bader made to Hire Heroes, Stann also confirmed The Ultimate Fighter Season Eight winner will work with the foundation in other areas as well. The Silver Star medal recipient is excited about the partnership and believes Bader’s involvement will bring attention and assistance to one of the most serious issues the men and women who have served their nation in combat are facing.

Stann and Hire Heroes are looking forward to future endeavors with Bader as they will continue to help service members’ transition into their next life beyond the military.

“As beneficial as the finances are, he lets us know he wanted wear our logo on his shirt on his way out to the Octagon to fight Phil Davis live on Fox. We were grateful and surprised because these are things he doesn’t have to do.

“As it turns out, a day later a person registers for help on our website specifically citing Ryan Bader, and inside of two months that young man was in a new job. He is now gainfully employed and receiving a good paycheck. It was really cool to see that happen, and that’s just one example of the things that have happened from Ryan’s efforts.

“He goes to different conventions and meetings with his sponsors and different companies he’s been endorsed by before and trying to get them on board about hiring more service members. That’s fantastic because he’s basically leveraging his entire brand to coincide with our mission to do what we have set out to do.

“Those efforts really speak volumes for Ryan’s character. He’s a very patriotic guy who really believes in the assisting and ensuring the right care and proper transition takes place for service members going into the workforce.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Gilbert Melendez: A Grudge Will Be Settled, a Dream Will Come True at UFC 188

Certain cultures have been known to produce certain types of fighters in the realm of combat sports. Those signature styles are a mixture of social climate and the embodied spirit of how things have been done in a particular realm for generation upon g…

Certain cultures have been known to produce certain types of fighters in the realm of combat sports. Those signature styles are a mixture of social climate and the embodied spirit of how things have been done in a particular realm for generation upon generation. 

Mexico has a long history of birthing hard-nosed and aggressive prizefighters who seem to have an ingrained refusal to take a back step once things go live. Resilience is a recognizable trait that runs consistent through competitors of Mexican descent and is an aspect of his heritage Gilbert Melendez has proudly embraced throughout his fighting career.

The former Strikeforce lightweight champion turned UFC contender has made his name in MMA for his tenacity and relentless pursuit of victory at all cost, and that approach has made El Nino one of the elite 155-pound fighters in the world for the better part of the past decade. In addition to a versatile skill set, Melendez’s determination has fueled a journey that has produced multiple world titles and allowed him to challenge for several more. 

The 33-year-old Skrap Pack leader has been a proud Mexican fighter every step of the way, and a long-awaited dream will be fulfilled for the perennial contender this Saturday night at UFC 188. He will step into the Octagon to face Eddie Alvarez in front of a sold-out crowd in Mexico City, and a moment he’s been envisioning for years will come front and center.

And while Melendez is quick to acknowledge emotions will be high during his walk to the cage, once the referee steps aside he plans to give the passionate Mexican fight fans something to be proud of.

“Being able to compete in Mexico City is something I’ve dreamed about,” Melendez told Bleacher Report. “My heritage is so important to me and is such a big part of who I am as a person. I’m a proud American, but my father is from Mexico and the Mexican culture has always been a big part of my life. Those are my people, my blood and when I fight I feel I fight like a Mexican warrior.

“That’s something that allows me to connect to the people of Mexico, and they’ll be behind me when I go out there to lay it all on the line on Saturday. They recognize my fighting spirit, and it’s going to be tremendous to have their support.”

Competing in Mexico City will be one of the highlights of Melendez’s decorated career, but he will be looking to make the experience all the more memorable with a victory over Alvarez on Saturday. The two men have circled one another for years as a rumored fight between the two best lightweights not competing on the UFC roster was a potential matchup fans were quick to get excited about.

Yet with Melendez fighting for Strikeforce and the Philadelphia native a champion for Bellator, a co-promotional showdown never materialized, and the feud between Melendez and Alvarez was never able to be settled. That will all change on Saturday as their respective fierce fighting styles will clash to make some highly anticipated ruckus in the co-main event at UFC 188. 

“It’s no secret there is no love lost between us, but I’m excited to get in there with a fighter who I respect for his skills and someone I’ve wanted to compete against for a long time,” Melendez said. “The time has finally come for that to happen and I couldn’t be more fired up. We are two different warriors from two different sides of town, and we are finally going to meet up to find out who is the better scrapper. I can’t wait to get in there and get after it.

“We are going to find out who is the tougher fighter physically and mentally because I guarantee it’s going to be gritty, man. I’m also excited so many fans are into this fight and there is a lot of hype behind it. This one is for the fans who have been dedicated to the sport for a long time and have been following and supporting MMA for years. Those fans are in for a treat on Saturday night.”

Where defeating Alvarez won’t catapult Melendez to the front of the title race in the crowded lightweight fold, it would certainly keep him a relevant player in the upper echelon of the 155-pound collective. Melendez has been a staple in what is arguably the most competitive division under the UFC’s promotional banner, and the NorCal representative has zero plans of vacating that position anytime soon.

He knows being turned back in two championship opportunities will keep him from earning a title shot in the near future, but he also knows the hard work required to make it happen. Melendez has been winning or chasing titles throughout his entire career in MMA, and while there are more pressing and immediate challenges in his path, the drive for excellence is one that never ceases.

“I’ve been a champion throughout my career and it’s always my goal to be the champion, but after the way some fights have gone lately I kind of feel like I’ve lost the privilege to talk about the title,” Melendez said. “I just have to put my focus on winning the next fight in front of me, but the drive and motivation to be the best is always there. That said, should I come out and win this fight and do it in dominant fashion, the way the weight class is looking right now it will put me right back into the mix and where I want to be.

“Experience is priceless in the fight game and I have years of it. I have done everything there is to do and have seen it all inside the cage. I’ve been up at the highest level of 155 for most of the past 10 years. I’ve either been the champion, No. 1 contender or a top-ranked contender. I believe a win in this fight will keep me in that position and in the running for a title shot down the road. But the belt isn’t my focus right now. I’m locked in on winning this fight, and we’ll see where things go afterwards.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

‘Cowboy’ Cerrone Will Wait for Champ Rafael Dos Anjos to Recover from Injury

Donald Cerrone isn’t one to sit around and wait for a fight, but a shot at the lightweight title is apparently something he’ll make an exception for.
The hard-charging striker has become one of the most popular fighters in mixed martial arts due to his…

Donald Cerrone isn’t one to sit around and wait for a fight, but a shot at the lightweight title is apparently something he’ll make an exception for.

The hard-charging striker has become one of the most popular fighters in mixed martial arts due to his anytime, anyplace mentality, and has backed up that bold talk by stepping in against anyone the UFC has put across from him. The Colorado native’s current eight-fight winning streak is further proof of this mindset as a mixture of short notice turns and last-minute opponent changes have all found themselves on the losing end of a another impressive Cerrone performance.

The most recent victim on the Jackson/Winkeljohn representative’s run was John Makdessi at UFC 187, as Cerrone landed a head kick that forced The Bull to verbally submit due to a broken jaw suffered upon impact. With the win, Cerrone become the clear No. 1 contender for the lightweight crown, but with champion Rafael dos Anjos on the shelf recovering from injury, it was unclear whether or not the rangy striker would wait for his shot to materialize or take another bout in the interim.

That question was answered on Wednesday night’s version of UFC Tonight (h/t Damon Martin Fox Sports), as the UFC confirmed to the program Cerrone would be sitting out and waiting for his title shot. While there is no definitive time line set for RDA’s return to action, the promotion figures the Kings MMA representative will be ready to defend his title before the end of the year. With no other matchup besides a rematch with Cerrone making sense, it’s possible Cowboy could get his long-awaited title opportunity before 2015 comes to a close.

The two fighters initially crossed paths at Fight Night 27 in Indianapolis back in August of 2013 with dos Anjos earning a clear-cut unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. Since his loss to the Rafael Cordeiro-trained fighter in “The Circle City,” Cerrone has not only bested eight consecutive opponents, but has done so in what is arguably the most talent-rich division under the UFC banner.

And while dos Anjos would go on to lose to undefeated upstart Khabib Nurmagomedov in his next bout after defeating the Albuquerque-based fighter, that loss sparked the most impressive run of the 30-year-old grappling ace’s career. Dos Anjos has notched four-straight wins since losing to The Eagle, with his most recent victory coming in dominate fashion as he battered Anthony Pettis for 25 minutes to become the new lightweight champion.

The injury dos Anjos is currently recuperating from came during his tilt with Showtime, and he’s yet to make his first official attempt to defend the lightweight strap. Per Wednesday’s report on UFC Tonight, it seems that opportunity will come at the end of 2015, and Cerrone is going to be his dance partner inside the Octagon.

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Frankie Edgar: In Constant Pursuit of Championship Gold

Frankie Edgar has his sights set on featherweight gold, and it’s a goal he’s pursuing relentlessly.
Since dropping down into 145-pound waters in 2012, the former lightweight champion has carved a path through the featherweight divisional ranks and has …

Frankie Edgar has his sights set on featherweight gold, and it’s a goal he’s pursuing relentlessly.

Since dropping down into 145-pound waters in 2012, the former lightweight champion has carved a path through the featherweight divisional ranks and has done so with what is perhaps the most impressive run of his career. Where the fighting pride of Toms River, New Jersey, found his initial success at the elite level of the sport working behind his lion-hearted drive and utter refusal to lose, the most recent chapter of the 33-year-old veteran’s career has been brilliantly written with a mixture of technique and tenacity.

Edgar is currently riding a four-fight winning streak where he’s drubbed, battered and outclassed a collection of legends and promising talent alike. Furthermore, he has dominated his opposition without sacrificing his full-throttle style of fighting fans have come to love over the years, which can be a difficult task to accomplish when winning at all cost is always the ultimate goal.

Over the course of his current run, Edgar has also stripped away the perennial underdog label and has reemerged as a different type of monster—one who has publicly staked his claim as next in line and is determined to get his hands on the featherweight strap by any means necessary. 

“That featherweight title is definitely the goal,” Edgar said in an exclusive interview. “I feel like I’m still in it, man. I’m still getting better and still have room to grow. I want that title. I’ve been knocking on the door for a couple of fights, and I think the time for it to happen is now. A closed mouth don’t get fed, and I want to eat. I want that belt. I’m 33, and time is ticking. I still feel young. I still feel good, but we are getting there. I’m close to that shot, and I’m not going to let that opportunity slip. I have to make sure I make the best of everything and make sure I get what I deserve.”

The Mark Henry-trained fighter’s victory over Urijah Faber at Fight Night 66 put Edgar on the doorstep of a title opportunity, but he will have to wait on the sidelines until the next shot materializes. Long-reigning featherweight king Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor are slated to settle their business at UFC 189 on July 11, and Edgar is hoping to face the winner of that bout later in the year. Then again, there is no one in the MMA space more familiar with immediate rematches than Edgar, and Aldo and McGregor running it back is a potential outcome he knows is a possibility.

Edgar is confident he’s earned the next shot at the featherweight title and believes him facing the winner of Aldo vs. McGregor is the only logical step for him to take.

“I don’t think anything else makes sense,” Edgar said. “These guys are fighting a month from now. The winner is going to need an opponent, and I’m that guy. Barring a rematch between these two, I definitely feel I should be next. Should that happen then I’ll have some decisions to make. I know my manager has said I’m not going to accept any other fight but the title fight, and right now I think that is the only thing that makes sense for me. But we’ll see. My fingers are definitely crossed, and I’m optimistic things will fall into place to make it happen. Hopefully all goes well, and I’m next in line.”

While the moving parts need to fall into place for his title shot to materialize, Edgar won’t spend that time sitting back and resting on his accomplishments. The resilient contender is on a constant mission of progression, and the results Edgar has garnered during his time in the featherweight fold serve as undeniable proof his evolution as a mixed martial artist is still in full swing.

That may sound strange when talking about a man who held the 155-pound title for two years in addition to competing for the featherweight crown, but Edgar’s approach to his career is equal to his style inside the cage in the sense that constant motion and forward movement is required.

The New Jersey native’s entire objective in MMA is to be a champion, and experience has taught him what is required in that regard. That is the reason he’s continued to push himself day in and day out inside the gym, because he knows all the hard work he and his team invest will add up to pay dividends when it truly matters.

That’s a belief he’s held since his days coming up on the wrestling mats, and the same mentality has produced championship results on the biggest stage in MMA.

“I’m still hungry and motivated to get to the gym. I took a week to spend with my family after my last fight, and then I was right back in there the next Monday. I was back in there working and haven’t stopped. That’s just who I am, to be honest. There’s only so much work you can do around the house, you know?” he laughed. 

“My coaches and I have all evolved together, and we are very comfortable with one another,” Edgar explained. “I truly believe in my corner, and if they say something, I’m going to do it. It doesn’t matter where the fight is taking place at—if they say it, I execute it. Everyone always says I adjust well on the fly, but the reason that happens is because I’m listening to them. They are seeing the adjustments I need to make then telling me, and I do it. My success is a testament to how good my coaches are, and we are going to continue to work hard and get that title.”

 

Duane Finley is featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Eddie Alvarez: ‘I’m Going to Make Gilbert Melendez Pay for Wanting to Fight Me’

Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez are set to handle their business at UFC 188 on Saturday night in Mexico City.
There is a large amount of buzz surrounding the clash between two of the elite lightweight fighters in the world, as the former Bellator ch…

Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez are set to handle their business at UFC 188 on Saturday night in Mexico City.

There is a large amount of buzz surrounding the clash between two of the elite lightweight fighters in the world, as the former Bellator champion and former Strikeforce 155-pound titleholder have built their respective careers on their ability to bring the scrap each and every time out. The co-main event bout at UFC 188 is all but guaranteed fireworks, but there are other contributing factors that have made the showdown between Alvarez and El Nino such a highly anticipated affair.

The biggest of which is the fact Alvarez and Melendez have been attached to one another for a potential fight multiple times over the past several years. Before both men eventually signed with the UFC, they were regarded as the two best lightweights competing outside of the Octagon. Naturally this made fight fans eager to see them mix it up inside the cage, and each time the topic was broached in an interview, the potential pairing would make headlines around the MMA community.

Yet, with both fighters competing under different promotional banners, the chances of the matchup ever coming to fruition was slim, and Alvarez found continued talk about the fight pointless. Each time Melendez would mention his name in an interview all it did was further irritate the Philadelphia native, but Alvarez put that energy away until a time when there was something he could actually do about it.

The opportunity to do just that will arrive on Saturday when Alvarez and Melendez will finally get to sling leather inside the Octagon, and it’s one Alvarez has added motivation to make the most of.

“All the talk about us fighting before was pointless in my opinion,” Alvarez told Bleacher Report. “He kept on talking about it, but I mean what’s the point of telling people you want to fight me if you are fighting in different promotion than the one I’m in? He could have fought me in other places if he really wanted to. He turned down entering the DREAM tournament that I was in, and he could have signed with Bellator but decided to sign with Strikeforce so the fight didn’t happen.

“I’m relieved to be finally getting in there to fight him. A part of me thought this fight wasn’t actually going to happen so I’m relieved it’s just a few days away now. We also get to do it in a place where the energy is going to be insane and fight in front of a sold-out crowd. I don’t think there is any better time or place for this fight to go down than right now. I’ve never been more ready, so let’s get it. I’m going to make him pay for wanting to fight me.”

In addition to their grudge match in Mexico City providing a stage for one man to finally establish supremacy over the other, the bout between Alvarez and Melendez is also a crucial bout in the lightweight divisional hierarchy. Both were figured to be immediate threats to the 155-pound title upon their respective arrivals to the UFC fold, but neither has been able to get their hands on championship gold as of yet.

Melendez has been turned back both times he’s contested for the title, and Alvarez came out on the business end of his meeting with Donald Cerrone in his official promotional debut at UFC 178 last September. The race for title contention at 155 is currently hotter than it’s been in years, and that leaves no room for set-backs where the elite-level fighters in the weight class are concerned.

In order to remain in the upper tier of the lightweight collective, Alvarez absolutely must defeat Melendez to retain his status as one of the world’s best in his weight class. It’s a situation he’s well aware of, and the savvy veteran uses that energy for motivation. He’s been a champion in other organizations, and that’s what he came to the UFC to do as well.

Alvarez has made a career out of bouncing back from rocky starts to achieve what he’s set out to do, and he plans to lay it all on the line once again when the Octagon door closes behind him in Mexico City on Saturday.

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com