Gilbert Melendez defended his Strikeforce lightweight belt again last Saturday against Jorge Masvidal and again started the fans shouting for him to join the UFC.
“Who is left for Melendez in Strikeforce anyway?” fans ask themselves.
At this point, though, it is without a doubt that the hype Melendez receives is for real after his impressive unanimous decision victory over Masvidal.
Of course, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker even believes in how great Melendez is.
“I believe he is the No. 1 lightweight in the world,” said Coker in an interview with MMAWeekly Radio.
Melendez does sit pretty on most lightweight rankings, either being the No. 2 or No. 3 in his division. Melendez even sits at No. 3 for the Bleacher Report lightweight rankings.
All of that leads Coker to believe Melendez can beat the stacked UFC lightweight division, and Coker didn’t stop short of mentioning current UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.
“Believe me, those other guys, I take nothing away from them,” said Coker.
“Listen, styles make fights, and I’m really looking at Frankie Edgar and Gilbert; that matchup as to who would win that fight and how that fight would look.”
“Ben Henderson, [Donald] Cowboy Cerrone, all those guys are extremely talented, but like I said, styles make fights. I think Gilbert and Frankie would be a great fight, but I think Gilbert would come out on top.”
The Melendez and Edgar fight will have to wait after Strikeforce signed their new deal that will most likely keep Melendez in the promotion for the near future.
The debate at who would beat who rages on.
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