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Gilbert Melendez Wants to Drop Down to Featherweight and Fight For The Belt

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Former Strikeforce Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez hasn’t had the most successful run in the UFC ever since he joined the promotion in 2013. Losing four out of his past five fights “El Nino” has struggled to replicate the success that made him Strikeforce Lightweight champion. Melendez who is now 34 years old is considered by many to be on the back nine of his 15-year fighting career, after his loss to Edson Barboza in July of last year it was uncertain if we would ever see the former “scrap pack” member step foot into the octagon again.

In an interview with MMAjunkie Radio Melendez revealed that he plans on moving down to featherweight and making “one last (title) run.” Melendez has fought at 155 pounds for the majority of his career and hasn’t competed at 145 pounds or below since 2005, but with his career currently at a stand still he believes it is time for a change.

“Until I book a fight at 145, I can’t really confirm that (I’m dropping), but yeah, that’s my goal right now, I’m trying to slim up. I’m really trying to diet and lose this fat around the belly a little bit more and really maximise my body’s potential. Once I get to that point, which should be in the next few weeks, I’ll really be able to make that jump and make that big decision. That’s my goal, is to make 145. That’s what I’m working on right now at this point.”

Melendez hasn’t reached out to the UFC to discuss it with them yet but says he is “trying to get ready mentally, physically” first and believes that he is nearing that point.

“I haven’t really reached out to them to tell them exactly, ‘This is what I want and what I’m going with,’” Melendez said. “I haven’t got to that point yet. I’m trying to get ready mentally, physically. I’m trying to get to that point where I’m just about there, and I’ll be reaching that soon and be able to pull the trigger on this.”

“I’d like to prove I’m one of the toughest in the division with a solid opponent who is willing to fight me and not stick and move, If I can get that, it would be great. I’m looking for one last (title) run.”

Melendez believes that moving down a weight class can rejuvenate his once illustrious career and that he can genuinely compete with the killers at 145 pounds. It is easier said and done to drop down a weight class, we have seen it with Anthony Pettis when he dropped down to 145 pounds to fight Max Holloway at UFC 206. Pettis missed weight and then went on to lose the fight by TKO in the third round, hopefully we won’t see it play out the same for Melendez.

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Cyborg’s Six Most Overmatched Opponents

The post Cyborg’s Six Most Overmatched Opponents appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino is perhaps the best women’s MMA fighter of all time. She has also cultivated a reputation as one of the most ferocious and intimidating fighters in the sport, regardless of gender. But Justino has the misfortune of fighting in a division – 145 pounds – that is thin in the women’s ranks. As such, the Chute Boxe representative has had a difficult time finding suitable opposition for much of her career. Her imposing physicality and ever-improving skill set mean that few women in her weight class can withstand her.

Contrary to her profile as a savage finisher, the woman known as ‘Cyborg’ has not always been as dangerous as her current iteration. That is reason there are not more victims on this list.

She lost her MMA debut via kneebar, and has gradually shored up her grappling skills throughout her career. Justino has always been physically imposing, but her striking and wrestling have come a long way from when she won her first major title in Strikeforce in 2009. In that fight against Gina Carano, ‘Cyborg’ repeatedly found herself in compromising positions. She relied on brute strength and her clinch game to carry her through large portions of the contest.

Since then, as she has developed her boxing and jiu jitsu to match her her physicality and vicious clinch game, she has dominated her foes more and more. As her second fight in the UFC approaches, a 140-pound catchweight against Lina Lansberg, let us take a look back at the opponents Cristiane Justino has crushed most mercilessly.

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10 Times Dan Henderson Rocked The MMA World

It goes without saying that Dan Henderson has had one of the most storied careers in mixed martial arts (MMA) history. He added yet another chapter to his astonishing track record with a stunning knockout of Hector Lombard 10 days ago (June 4, 2016) at UFC 199. In his post-fight interview, “Hendo” mentioned that he may

The post 10 Times Dan Henderson Rocked The MMA World appeared first on LowKick MMA.

It goes without saying that Dan Henderson has had one of the most storied careers in mixed martial arts (MMA) history.

He added yet another chapter to his astonishing track record with a stunning knockout of Hector Lombard 10 days ago (June 4, 2016) at UFC 199. In his post-fight interview, “Hendo” mentioned that he may have just been in his last battle.

If we have indeed seen the last of Henderson, he will leave behind an unassailable legacy. Over the course of a career that began back in 1997, he fought probably the most difficult slate of opponents in the history of the sport. Across three weight classes, from middleweight to heavyweight, Henderson consistently fought the best of the best. He squared off with the likes of both Nogueiras, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, Quinton Jackson, Anderson Silva, Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping, Fedor Emelianenko, Daniel Cormier, Lyoto Machida, and Mauricio Rua.

This list will look back at the accomplishments of a true all-time great and consensus first ballot hall of famer.

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Cris Cyborg-Gina Carano Make History In Strikeforce (Video)

Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Gina Carano made history back in 2009 for Strikeforce.

The two fought over the female featherweight title, with Cyborg easily dominating Carano.

In May, Cyborg debuts inside the Octagon at UFC 198 against Leslie Smith.
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Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Gina Carano made history back in 2009 for Strikeforce.

The two fought over the female featherweight title, with Cyborg easily dominating Carano.

In May, Cyborg debuts inside the Octagon at UFC 198 against Leslie Smith.

You can see a replay of Cyborg-Carano in the video below:

Blood Runs Deep: MMA’s Top 10 Brothers

Not everyone has what it takes to be a mixed martial arts fighter, and very few possess the physical tools, talent, technique and mental toughness required to compete in the sport’s leading promotions. With that in mind it’s a particularly impressive accomplishment when not one, but two, members of the same family defy the odds

The post Blood Runs Deep: MMA’s Top 10 Brothers appeared first on LowKick MMA.

With that in mind it’s a particularly impressive accomplishment when not one, but two, members of the same family defy the odds and manage to make it to the big leagues.

In this article we’ll seek to highlight the ten best brothers to have made their mark in the sport since its inception.

The post Blood Runs Deep: MMA’s Top 10 Brothers appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Nick Diaz Suspended 5 Years for Failed Drug Tests: Latest Details and Reaction

UFC fighter Nick Diaz has been fined $165,000 and suspended for five years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of multiple failed drug tests.
USA Today’s John Morgan reported the news Monday on the strict penalties…

UFC fighter Nick Diaz has been fined $165,000 and suspended for five years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of multiple failed drug tests.

USA Today‘s John Morgan reported the news Monday on the strict penalties besetting Diaz after a hearing concluded with the NSAC. MMA reporter David Kano added the commission said it was banning Diaz for “not just marijuana but disregard.”

Paul Dollery of The42.ie contrasted the ban Anderson Silva received for performance-enhancing drugs with Diaz’s:

MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani weighed in on Diaz’s lengthy suspension:

Diaz last took the Octagon against Silva at UFC 183 and lost to Silva by unanimous decision until it was discovered Silva had taken PEDs prior to the fight. Although he did pass two tests in the hours before the Silva bout, Diaz failed one for marijuana metabolites, marking his third failed drug test overall.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Snowden was also appalled by Monday’s outcome:

The severe punishment threatens to effectively end Diaz’s MMA career barring a successful appeal. It has to be expected Diaz will contest the commission’s ruling, especially with the initial outrage that’s followed Monday’s disciplinary decision-making.

Diaz has claimed the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship in the past, but at age 32, he will be hard-pressed to compete for the UFC welterweight title if the five-year suspension is upheld. In two prior title fights, Diaz has been defeated by Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre, respectively.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com