Gilbert Melendez

“El Niño”

MMA · Retired

22-8RECORD

11KO / TKO WINS

1SUBMISSION WINS

10DECISION WINS

Profile

Full name	Not added yet
Nickname	El Niño
Date of birth	12 Apr 1982
Nationality	American
Birthplace	Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Lives in	San Francisco, California
Division	Lightweight / Featherweight
Team	Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu / El Niño Sports
Height	175 cm (5′9″)
Reach	185 cm (73″)
Stance	Not added yet
Years active	2002–2019
Status	Retired
Pro debut	18 Oct 2002
Last fight	Loss vs Arnold Allen, 6 Jul 2019

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 10 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile

Titles and honours

WEC Lightweight Champion (first)
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion (2x, last)
Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Champion
UFC Fight of the Night (2x)

Background

Gilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist from Santa Ana, California. He competed in WEC, Strikeforce, PRIDE, Shooto and the UFC, and is best known for his two reigns as Strikeforce Lightweight Champion.

Fight history

30 professional fights. Newest first.

Result	Opponent	Method	Round	Time	Event	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	Arnold Allen	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 239	6 Jul 2019	Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Loss	Jeremy Stephens	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 215	9 Sep 2017	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	Return to featherweight; Fight of the Night
Loss	Edson Barboza	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko	23 Jul 2016	Chicago, Illinois, US
Loss	Eddie Alvarez	Decision (split)	3	5:00	UFC 188	13 Jun 2015	Mexico City, Mexico	Tested positive for exogenous testosterone metabolites
Loss	Anthony Pettis	Submission (guillotine choke)	2	1:53	UFC 181	6 Dec 2014	Las Vegas, Nevada, US	For the UFC Lightweight Championship
Win	Diego Sanchez	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 166	19 Oct 2013	Houston, Texas, US	Fight of the Night
Loss	Benson Henderson	Decision (split)	5	5:00	UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez	20 Apr 2013	San Jose, California, US	For the UFC Lightweight Championship
Win	Josh Thomson	Decision (split)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier	19 May 2012	San Jose, California, US	Defended the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Jorge Masvidal	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal	17 Dec 2011	San Diego, California, US	Defended the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Tatsuya Kawajiri	TKO (elbows)	1	3:14	Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley	9 Apr 2011	San Diego, California, US	Defended the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Shinya Aoki	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Nashville	17 Apr 2010	Nashville, Tennessee, US	Defended the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Josh Thomson	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Evolution	19 Dec 2009	San Jose, California, US	Won and unified the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Mitsuhiro Ishida	TKO (punches)	3	3:56	Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg	15 Aug 2009	San Jose, California, US	Defended the interim Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Rodrigo Damm	KO (punches)	2	2:02	Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz	11 Apr 2009	San Jose, California, US	Won the interim Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Loss	Josh Thomson	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson	27 Jun 2008	San Jose, California, US	Lost the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Gabe Lemley	TKO (punches)	2	2:18	Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le	29 Mar 2008	San Jose, California, US	Defended the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Loss	Mitsuhiro Ishida	Decision (unanimous)	2	5:00	Yarennoka!	31 Dec 2007	Saitama, Japan
Win	Tetsuji Kato	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion	29 Sep 2007	Beverly Hills, California, US	Non-title bout
Win	Tatsuya Kawajiri	Decision (unanimous)	2	5:00	PRIDE FC: Shockwave 2006	31 Dec 2006	Saitama, Japan
Win	Nobuhiro Obiya	Decision (unanimous)	2	5:00	PRIDE – Bushido 12	26 Aug 2006	Nagoya, Japan
Win	Clay Guida	Decision (split)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Revenge	9 Jun 2006	San Jose, California, US	Won the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Harris Sarmiento	Submission (punches)	2	0:44	Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie	10 Mar 2006	San Jose, California, US
Win	Rumina Sato	TKO (doctor stoppage)	1	1:32	Shooto: Alive Road	20 Aug 2005	Yokohama, Japan	Shooto Lightweight bout
Win	Naoya Uematsu	TKO (doctor stoppage)	2	4:30	Shooto: 5/4 in Korakuen Hall	4 May 2005	Tokyo, Japan	Shooto Lightweight bout
Win	Hiroyuki Takaya	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Shooto: Year End Show 2004	14 Dec 2004	Tokyo, Japan	Shooto Lightweight bout
Win	Kaynan Kaku	TKO (punches)	2	3:58	Rumble on the Rock 6	20 Nov 2004	Honolulu, Hawaii, US
Win	Olaf Alfonso	TKO (punches)	3	4:54	WEC 10	21 May 2004	Lemoore, California, US	Won the vacant WEC Lightweight Championship
Win	Stephen Palling	TKO (punches)	2	4:59	Rumble on the Rock 4	10 Oct 2003	Honolulu, Hawaii, US	Featherweight debut
Win	Jeff Hougland	TKO (punches)	2	2:05	WEC 6	27 Mar 2003	Lemoore, California, US
Win	Greg Quan	TKO (punches)	1	4:37	WEC 5	18 Oct 2002	Lemoore, California, US	Lightweight debut