Gilbert Melendez released from the UFC following 1-6 run with the promotion
Gilbert Melendez’s run with the UFC has come to an end.
The former lightweight title contender was released from the promotion just recently following a fifth loss in a row in his most recent performance against Arnold Allen in July. Melendez’s release was first reported by FightBookMMA on Monday.
It’s an unceremonious end to Melendez’s UFC career after he joined the promotion as Strikeforce champion and was immediately granted a title shot in his first fight with Benson Henderson.
He came away with a split-decision loss that night, but rebounded with a Fight of the Year candidate when he engaged in an all-out war with Diego Sanchez six months later. The victory over Sanchez was ultimately the only win that Melendez would put on his UFC record in his six years with the organization.
In his next fight, Melendez lost his second bid to become lightweight champion when Anthony Pettis finished him by second-round guillotine choke.
He then came up short via a split-decision loss to Eddie Alvarez that was followed by a one-year suspension after he tested positive for “exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites.”
This article first appeared at News – MMAWeekly.com
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