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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Strikeforce will come to an end next month, just a little under two years after the UFC purchased the organization. While it goes out with a whimper, it also opens up opportunities to the fighters who were under contract with Strikeforce and Showtime, and for fighters like Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, it could mean something even bigger.
The 30-year-old has been battling injuries during the fall, taking him out of two scheduled matchups against Pat Healy, but that delay may just lead to a title fight for him in the UFC when he can make his debut.
That's according to UFC President Dana White, who told reporters after Thursday's UFC 155 pre-fight press conference that Melendez could enter to a title fight in the UFC. However, he added a caveat of "we'll see," leaving it a less than definitive statement.
Melendez has been considered one of the top lightweights in the world over the last several years, winning seven straight fights and avenging his only two losses as well. However, by virtue of him competing in Strikeforce and not the UFC, his status has taken a hit.
He'll be in competition for a title fight from Anthony Pettis, who holds a win over current Champion Ben Henderson and will be a very realistic option if he defeats Donald Cerrone next month at UFC on Fox 6.
Penick's Analysis: If Cerrone defeats Pettis, we'll see Gilbert Melendez vs. Ben Henderson this coming Spring. But if it's Pettis, we'll more than likely be seeing that rematch with Henderson. White saying Melendez will "probably" get a shot means about as much as any other potential fight he's brought up as a hypothetical. Until it's signed, it's not happening, and for Melendez right now it's not as likely if Pettis defeats Cerrone.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_15432.shtml
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