Props to Dana and co. for giving Melendez the title shot. It's the right thing to do.

[OmegaRugal]

Just when I thought the UFC had thrown all credibility as a legitimate sporting organization out the window in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator by booking fights like Chael vs. Jones, they go and restore their credibility by booking the 2 top LW's in a title fight even though one of them has never fought in the UFC and isn't as known to fans who only follow the UFC.

It's the right thing to do and it shows they do take this sport seriously and will sometimes still look to book fights based on rankings instead of monetary gain. Gilbert Melendez has been at or near the top of the rankings since before Ben Henderson even had his first professional fight. The fans may not know him, but the rankings sure do, they know him very well.

Really excited for this fight. It might be my most anticipated fight of the year.

Another thing to add is that regardless of who wins, it doesn't mean the loser is overrated. They have both proven they belong where they are and a loss to the other doesn't mean UFC is overrated or Strikeforce is overrated. It just means the winner of the fight matched up better with the loser than the loser did with the winner. A big problem MMA fans have is letting their bias get in the way of legitimately judging things.

It's been proven time and time again that organization doesn't matter, whether it's UFC vs PRIDE where PRIDE fans claimed UFC fighters couldn't hang with PRIDE fighters, then it went pretty much 50/50, or when UFC fans did the same thing they hated PRIDE fans for doing to them and claimed WEC fighters couldn't hang with the UFC fighters, then they did. It doesn't matter where you fight, be it PRIDE, UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, etc, what matters is how you match up with your current opponent.

That's funny ... I was thinking they are giving Gilbert this match not because he deserves it but rather marketability of champ vs champ.

I feel UFC knows Gilbert will lose to a contender in the UFC and never get a shot at the title.

This way ... they can have their title fight and then it's up to Gilbert if he gets another.

 

[TrailerParkBoy]

Mendelez pulls out of one card, killing the entire event, than he pulls out of another card, retaining his Strikeforce championship withou defending it, and he gets an immediate title shot in UFC.
At the same time they give Diaz and Hendo a tune-up fight before allowing them to fight for the title.
This situation actually surprised me.

and Shields. Overeem too before he pissed hot

 

[PabloZed]

In the short-term Sonnen-Jones makes more money, but in the big picture it hurts the legitimacy of the UFC. Sonnen hasn't won a major fight at Light Heavyweight since ... ever. While entertainment value matters, at last 51% of matchmaking has to be about track-record and performance, or the sport can't be taken seriously.

I agree, which is why a catch weight makes more sense.

 

[hoorah]

I don't even like Melendez. Props, though, to him for getting a shot.

I still think it should be Pettis should he beat Cerrone.

 

[AP_RESURRECTION]

my view is they are learning that fights can get fcked up by a contender, so just make the fight happen now while its still available

melendez could just lose his first fight and then the allure of the title unification is gone - just make it happen now

if it hits your interest and makes mma more legitimate then thats good too - but to me, its more about promotions and its a smart move for that reason

 

[MMA Fan 505**]

That's funny ... I was thinking they are giving Gilbert this match not because he deserves it but rather marketability of champ vs champ.

I feel UFC knows Gilbert will lose to a contender in the UFC and never get a shot at the title.

This way ... they can have their title fight and then it's up to Gilbert if he gets another.

That's because you're a dumbass. Why would they give a title shot to a guy who they think would lose to everyone who isn't as good as the title holder.

You really let your organizational bias make you look like a dumbass. You should work on that.

 

[machida90]

jones vs sonnen

women title's main event

diaz vs gsp

an know another undeserving contender for the title

 

[WrestlingIsReal]

maybe because he lost to Guida and has been on the shelf for a year or so?

He fought Guida cause Dana said Pettis would have to wait for Edgar-Maynard to sort itself out. He loses but that didn't stop Edgar, Sonnen, and Diaz from getting shots. Now he was promised another title shot if he got pass Cerrone but, Gil gets it??

 

[Jonesing]

That's because you're a dumbass. Why would they give a title shot to a guy who they think would lose to everyone who isn't as good as the title holder.

You really let your organizational bias make you look like a dumbass. You should work on that.

He explained that in the post you're raging about. You really let your love for Melendez (and poor comprehension skills) make you look like a dumbass.

 

[eforrest04]

He is deserving of the title shot more than anyone else making noise right now at lw. He and bendo should be a good fight with a good pace. Everyone else is in limbo due to having bouts signed, recent losses etc.

 

[Dart Feld]

Eh, he may have been a dominant SF LW champ but he's coming off 2 underwhelming fights.

Him leapfrogging contenders just doesn't sit right with me.

It's nice that we finally have him in the UFC, no doubt.

I was really hoping for Maynard vs Melendez or Miller vs Melendez.

 

[rjmbrd]

my view is they are learning that fights can get fcked up by a contender, so just make the fight happen now while its still available

melendez could just lose his first fight and then the allure of the title unification is gone - just make it happen now

if it hits your interest and makes mma more legitimate then thats good too - but to me, its more about promotions and its a smart move for that reason

That is all true, but honestly I think its plainly because there no other clear #1 contender. Maynard is rebuilding phase. Edgar is now at FW. Diaz just had his shot. Who else can remotely claim to be the next guy in line?

Pettis is booked for Cerrone and that should solidify him if he comes up with a big win, but he was only 2 fights removed from getting dominated by Guida.

They booked Melendez because there is no other fight to book

 

[rjmbrd]

Eh, he may have been a dominant SF LW champ but he's coming off 2 underwhelming fights.

Him leapfrogging contenders just doesn't sit right with me.

It's nice that we finally have him in the UFC, no doubt.

I was really hoping for Maynard vs Melendez or Miller vs Melendez.

No trolling, who is the other (rightful) #1 contenders available right now that he is leapfrogging?

 

[AP_RESURRECTION]

That is all true, but honestly I think its plainly because there no other clear #1 contender. Maynard is rebuilding phase. Edgar is now at FW. Diaz just had his shot. Who else can remotely claim to be the next guy in line?

Pettis is booked for Cerrone and that should solidify him if he comes up with a big win, but he was only 2 fights removed from getting dominated by Guida.

They booked Melendez because there is no other fight to book

yea that makes sense as well - i was surprised they booked pettis with cerrone instead of getting him that shot - the rematch makes sense too

 

[willin]

Props to Dana and co. for giving Edgar the title shot. It's the right thing to do.

Get em, Soc. lol

 

[rjmbrd]

yea that makes sense as well - i was surprised they booked pettis with cerrone instead of getting him that shot - the rematch makes sense too

It's because he eeked past Jeremy Stephens with a split decision and then stopped Lauzon, after Guida absolutely dominated him. A split decision and stoppage over two unranked guys following a loss doesn't book you a title shot in most cases... big win over Cerrone should put him back up there though.

 

[Dart Feld]

No trolling, who is the other (rightful) #1 contenders available right now that he is leapfrogging?

I didn't say that there's a clear cut contender.

There's a fight currently booked between contenders and Maynard is set to return early this year.

Barring injuries, the winner of that fight would be ready to fight Ben on this card. Now they'll have to take another fight in the interim and if the rumors about Alvarez's contract are true then things get worse for them.

 

[CDF47]

Melendez vs. Bendo is absolutely the fight that needs to happen. They are basically tied for the number 1 spot in the world at LW and need to fight. Melendez has been either 1 or 2 for years so finally the fight with both top fighters gets to happen.

 

[Dethrone1989]

I don't agree with this one bit. Melendez barly squeaked by Josh Thompson in his last fight, and some, including me, would say josh won. Josh isn't even a top 10 LW. Gilbert needs to be tested against high level fighters in the ufc to show what he has. Personally I believe he's gonna get absolutely fucked by Ben Henderson. Ben is going to rag doll him around. Ben sub round 2.

 

[sprucelees]

well that fight would be great even if it wasn't deserved.