Strikeforce
Scott Coker: Gilbert Melendez's next opponent to come from Strikeforce roster, not UFC
Apr 20, 2011 - 4:20:24 PM Scott Coker: Gilbert Melendez's next opponent to come from Strikeforce roster, not UFC

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

With Zuffa's purchase of Strikeforce in March and Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez's destruction of Tatsuya Kawajiri earlier this month on Showtime, it seemed the next logical move was for Melendez to fight one of the top lightweights on the UFC roster.

A rumor circulated that he was possibly going to meet top contender Jim Miller next, and Melendez even commented on the possibility of that matchup this week in an interview with Sherdog.com.

"With open arms, I welcome that fight," he said. "I know I have to do some tape studying on him, but I feel like I'm better in every aspect probably than he is. I am going to research tape a little. I've seen him fight quite a bit, but I'll take a closer look and we can revisit this when we do have a thumbs up on it."

For Melendez, who considers himself to be the number one lightweight in the world, it would be one step closer to a shot at the UFC Lightweight Champion and a chance to prove to everyone what he himself believes. But alas, it's not to be, as Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker was the bearer of bad news in an interview with MMAWeekly.com. According to Coker, Melendez's next opponent will come from the Strikeforce roster, not the UFC's.

"Absolutely [Melendez's next opponent will be from the Strikeforce roster]," Coker said when asked directly. "We have a great roster, we have a great television contract, we have our own contracts to fulfill with the athletes, and we're going to go do that."

As for who that opponent would be, Coker pointed to three names in the mix at the moment, but said they'd have to have an elimination fight or two to determine that challenger.

"We have some guys that are up-and-coming, we do some elimination fights," Coker said. "I think guys names like K.J. Noons; or maybe after a couple more fights a guy like Justin Wilcox, who is an amazing wrestler, could give Gilbert a hard time; or even Jorge Masvidal. There's three guys that I think after a couple more fights could get there."

That doesn't help determine who the immediate next challenger is, however, but though no crossover fights are coming just yet, Coker believes that they will happen in due time.

"There's not one fight out there that should not be made now," he said. "Every fight the fans want to see now will eventually be made."

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Penick's Analysis: I'm going to hold out a little bit of hope that they're going to try to get a Melendez-Miller fight together, because I have no desire right now to see Melendez face any of the names Coker mentioned. They are all talented fighters, but the call is going to be for Melendez to fight the best of the best now. Especially with his comments after the Kawajiri win on Showtime and the poll wanting to see the crossover fights. Melendez should be fighting someone like Miller, which would then give him a chance to prove what he's been saying all along, that he's the best lightweight in the world. Beating Noons, Masvidal and Wilcox won't do that for him. Beating Jim Miller and getting a shot at Frankie Edgar or Gray Maynard will.