Gilbert Melendez is currently negotiating with the UFC and is considering a drop to featherweight if his teammate in Nate Diaz wins the title this weekend.


Strikeforce is folding up soon, and one of the promotion's biggest stars in Gilbert Melendez remains as one of the best fighters who could make the jump to the UFC.

Melendez currently has fights left on his Strikeforce contract, but his trainer Cesar Gracie told MMAJunkie that they're currently on the preliminary stages of negotiations for a possible UFC contract. It's still too early to tell, but it looks like this weekend's UFC on Fox 5 main event could determine their next move.

Nate Diaz will be challenging for Ben Henderson's UFC lightweight title, and if successful, he says his teammate in Melendez will seriously consider a drop to featherweight.

The two close friends and training partners seem dead set on not facing each other, and while that's understandable, the prospect of having the Strikeforce champ and #2 ranked lightweight in the world making a run at the UFC featherweight title is truly intriguing.

Former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar is already set to drop down to take on Jose Aldo at UFC 156, and adding Melendez to the mix would significantly beef up the division and add several potential bouts worth salivating for.

Melendez is still currently recovering from a shoulder injury, and won't be participating on Strikeforce's January 12 event, which is also expected to be the promotion's last card.


Source: http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/12/6/37 ... ld-drop-to