Gilbert Melendez: This title shot, I won't take my foot off the gas

These days, it’s hardly unusual to see a top fighter grouse about one thing or another with the UFC. But to do some contractual flirting with the promoter’s chief rival, that’s rare.

Lightweight Gilbert Melendez was well within his right to entertain an offer from the Viacom-owned Bellator. His UFC contract had expired after earlier offers didn’t suit his needs, and he was in a period where he could receive outside offers that the industry-leader had a right to match.

And yet by agreeing to terms with Bellator on a new contract, Melendez, the No. 3 ranked lightweight in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, was put in a pressure cooker as fans and pundits tried to decipher what the move meant for the industry and he continued to push for a better deal.

“You stay under the radar and let things play out and roll with the punches, but of course there’s some nerves there,” he told MMAjunkie Radio.

It didn’t necessarily help that the UFC’s president, Dana White, seemingly had washed his hands of Melendez after some unpleasant sessions at the negotiating table. The pressure was intense for “El Nino” not only to represent himself well, but to reach his goal of signing a contract that would secure his financial future.

“I was pretty serious about the decision,” Melendez said. “Bellator made it interesting. Bjorn was a very professional guy and gave me a great deal in all aspects with fighting as well as being able to brand myself. I knew I could continue my legacy, and (Bellator fighters Michael) Chandler and (Eddie) Alvarez made it real interesting out of the gate.

“It was nerve-wracking, but I didn’t feel like I was making a dumb decision. I was making a tough decision.”

Ultimately, when the UFC came back to the table with a matching offer, Melendez’s job was made easier. Although little is known about the monetary incentives of his new contract, it’s a long-term deal that will give him the opportunity to coach “The Ultimate Fighter 20? opposite lightweight champ Anthony Pettis (17-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in advance of a title shot later this year. It will also allow him to continue working as a commentator for ESPN, which he’s done for several years.

“It becomes real easy when you know you’re in the third quarter of your career and you have to think about your future,” said Melendez (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC). “Once you put your emotions aside and know you have to think about your future, it becomes real easy.

“My future and security became my priority. Put your emotions aside and go about it as a normal business thing. At times, your emotions win out a bit in the end. You match things up and see what makes more sense. Once you do, it makes things a lot easier.”

It’s the 31-year-old former Strikeforce champ’s second crack at a UFC belt after he lost a controversial decision to former champ Benson Henderson this past April at UFC on FOX 7, and he said he won’t make a mistake he then made by easing up in the championship rounds.

“It was nice stepping in the octagon and doing that, fighting for the title and the experience,” Melendez said. “Now that I’m in this situation fighting for the title again, you better believe I want it and will do it way better this time.

“At the time, if I never got another chance again, I was OK with it. But now that I have another title shot, there’s no way I’m going to take my foot off the gas pedal. I need that title to cement my legacy.”

While the push for UFC gold currently is at the top of Melendez’s priority list, he said he isn’t adverse to revisiting other potential opponents. During his contract negotiations, he was presented a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov at this past month’s UFC 170, and while a cut to featherweight is doubtful, he said he would be open to fighting champ Jose Aldo if he bulks up to 155 pounds.

As contract negotiations went public, Nurmagomedov made it clear he wasn’t thrilled at being turned down, but Melendez said that won’t be the case in the future.

“Definitely, Khabib’s on the list,” Melendez said. “Hopefully he takes a big look at this whole picture and it was never about him.

“I’d like to win the title and another three or four in a row and take it from there. I’m not trying to duck him. I respect him. Hopeflully our paths cross some day. Aldo’s up there. You never know in this sport.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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