Gilbert Melendez

Gilbert "El Niño"Melendezis a Mexican-Americanmixed martial artistwho has fought atFeatherweightand currently fights atLightweightin theUltimate Fighting Championship(UFC). He is a two-timeStrikeforce Lightweight Championand a formerWEC Lightweight Champion. He also competed inPRIDE FC,Shooto, andRumble on the Rock. Melendez holds the distinction of being one of a select group of fighters who have ever been ranked #1 in the world in twoweight classesin MMA,among the likes ofAnderson Silva,Dan Henderson,Randy Couture,Kazushi Sakuraba, andBJ Penn. Melendez was nicknamed after the infamousEl Niñostorm that wreaks havoc across thePacific Rim. It was given to him by a Japanese broadcaster describing his fight-style and the manner in which he stormed through the Shooto Featherweight division.