Melendez interview: Working for UFC is a whole new level of pressure

Storming to a 19-2 record, Gilbert Melendez built a good reputation in the MMA world, but everything changed three weeks ago when his promotion was purchased by the UFC. It's like starting all over for Melendez.

The Strikeforce lightweight champ knows, that as part of the Zuffa family, he's just another name, and he's okay with that. Melendez faces Tatsuya Kawajiri (Showtime 10 p.m. ET/PT) in his first fight under the UFC/Strikeforce banner and views, this his 21st professional fight, as a time to prove himself all over again.

"I'm a big fish in a smaller pond in Strikeforce, now I'm a good-sized fish in an ocean. For some other fighters, I don't know what size a fish they're going to be in this ocean right now," Melendez said on DC and the Sunshine Man on ESPN1100 in Las Vegas (2:30 mark). "If you're ready to deliver and ready to work hard like I plan on doing, I think I'll fit in just fine out here."

If Melendez keeps winning he's got a chance to blow up with a whole new set of fans.

"I have the marketing machine of the UFC behind me and that's the main thing," Melendez said. "Strikeforce is a great organization. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's hard to brand yourself in that organization. It's hard to get respect from the common fan. For the common fan, if I'm not associated with Zuffa they think I'm in the minor leagues."

Melendez said some Strikeforce fighters aren't thrilled to be working for the UFC.

"There's mixed emotions. The UFC is real cutthroat. In this business you're only as good as your last fight. That added pressure is on a lot of these fighters, There's a lot of fighters who are borderline with that," Melendez said. "If you're a fighter who trains hard and takes it serious, treat it like a pro, you'll be alright. [...] These guys are going to have to deliver that's all there is to it."

Melendez told us he's always eyed the UFC as an eventual destination. Because of a non-compete clause in his Strikeforce contract, he'd actually considered sitting out a year to get his shot at guys like UFC champ Frank Edgar, Gray Maynard and Anthony Pettis.

Melendez also added a nice note about Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker. He was asked if he felt bad for Coker, who doesn't really have his own promotion to run anymore. Melendez said he did feel for Coker, but the longtime promoter handled the sale with class and even called some fighters on the day of the announcement to ask them how they were doing, putting aside his own feelings to make sure his fighters understood what was happening.

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Donington MotoGP tipping contest prizes

Great news! Enter the Donington round of the Tipping Contest to have a chance of winning a copy of Ring of Fire, The Inside Story of MotoGP by Rick Broadbent. Prizes will be awarded as follows: Top three scorers for the round (not overall) will win a copy of Ring of Fire. The top two scoring Minellas will [...]

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Three Stars: Jung, Sadollah and a pair of bantamweights

The UFC's first trip to Seattle was successful, with several young, untested fighters showing they belonged in the Octagon. Who rose above the rest?

No. 1 star -- Chan Sung Jung: In their first bout, Jung and Leonard Garcia swung wildly at each other for three rounds. They created an exciting bout that will long be remembered as one of the WEC's best, but still ended up in a loss for Jung. He changed his plan this time, fighting a more calculated bout that ended with him slapping on twister submission. It was the first twister performed in the UFC, and it earned Jung at $55,000 Submission of the Night bonus.

No. 2 star -- Amir Sadollah: Since winning the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter," Sadollah has had an up-and-down tenure in the UFC, plagued with injuries, sickness and odd losses. None of those troubles were obvious on Saturday night, as he gave DaMarques Johnson an old-fashioned beating. In the second round, Sadollah inundated Johnson with elbows, causing Johnson to tap and earning Sadollah his second straight win.

No. 3 star -- Michael McDonald and Edwin Figueroa: Smaller weights are known for putting on a show, and McDonald and Figueroa delivered. McDonald won their three-round decision with a mix of strikes and submission attempts, but Figueroa won respect by standing through every strike and making it out of every sub attempt. They both won $55,000 for a Fight of the Night bonus.

Honorable mention -- Johny Hendricks: Unfortunately, the main event ran over time, so we didn't get to see Hendricks' knockout of T.J. Waldburger. A report from on-site described it:

Hendricks connected on two powerful left hands. The back-to-back blows sent Waldburger to the mat, and the ref halted the action before Hendricks could deliver any further punishment.

Hendricks earned the Knockout of the Night bonus, good for $55,000.

Who were your three stars? Tell us on Facebook or in the comments.

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George Lucas’ daughter returns to the cage this weekend

Amanda Lucas, daughter of the famed filmmaker George Lucas, will fight again this Saturday at Freestyle Cage Fighting in Oklahoma on a card headlined by UFC veteran Matt Grice and well-known female fighter Erin Toughill.

Lucas is 1-1, winning her last fight via decision in 2009. She had been on an extended layoff from the cage while she focused on improving technically and getting married, telling MMA Fighting that she didn't want to walk down the aisle "looking like a battered woman." You would think that her father could probably connect her with a good make-up artist.

Lucas trains at Fairtex in San Francisco as well as Gilbert Melendez's Skrap Pack team and Cesar Gracie Academy. She also had a knee injury, but has spent the last six months training and rehabbing.

"I am really excited for this fight," she said. "I was originally scheduled to fight in February, but I suffered a partially torn MCL and PCL during my training camp. I have basically been either training or rehabbing my knee for the past six months. I am looking forward to fighting, taking a week off, and then getting back into the gym. I am in great shape, well prepared and am ready to test myself on Saturday."

Lucas has made cameos in her father's movies, including all three "Star Wars" prequels.

Hopefully, her father will get inspiration from her daughter's fight experiences and give MMA the cinematic treatment it deserves. MMA on the Death Star? Indiana Jones and the Octagon of Doom? Or Lucas could return to his roots and make an "American Graffiti" -eseque film about fighting. Instead of chronicling teenage boys and their last night before college -- and a bunch of boss cars -- Lucas could take a look at a day leading up to a fight.

It would be better than many of the cliche-ridden treatments Hollywood has given MMA in the past. Help us Amanda Lucas! You're our only hope!

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Eddie Alvarez Wins a Decision, Keeps Bellator Belt

by Michael David SmithWhen Eddie Alvarez walked into the cage on Saturday night he was supposed to win in dominant fashion, befitting his status as the best and most popular fighter in the Bellator Fighting Championships. But Saturday's title fight against Pat Curran was tougher than Alvarez (and most fans) could have expected.

Alvarez won a unanimous decision to retain the Bellator lightweight title, and the scorecards (one judge scored it 49-46 while the other two judges scored it 50-45) make it look like the fight wasn't close. But Curran was a tough customer who was in it until the final bell.

"That guy's got a hard, hard head, man," Alvarez said of Curran afterward. "He can take a shot."

 

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Thailand sport climbing: can you help?

Since an old friend told me about his climbing trips to Thailand it’s been one of my boxes-to-tick. Climbing by the beach and then relaxing in the blue seas sounds too good to be true. I’m about to find out - I’ve decided to do it later this year… Photo kindly shared by HalonaCoast on Flickr I’m [...]

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MMA Marketplace: Limited edition Korean Zombie shirt

We've professed our love for Tri-Coasta's Korean Zombie shirts in the past. The shirt for Chan Sang Jung's twister win over Leonard Garcia is no less awesome.

This one reminds me of playing "Super Mario Brothers," "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out," and "Duck Hunt" on my old Nintendo. (Am I the only one who tried to shoot the dog on Duck Hunt? Stupid thing was always laughing at me.) Considering the way he fights, Jung would make one heck of an old-school video game character.

Get this very cool, limited edition shirt for $25 right here.

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