In the year of our lord, 2014, witnessing a Gilbert Melendez fight should be weighted with a reverence once reserved for yesteryear’s greats. Hell, Gil was a legend in the making five years ago, which by my math is putting him in the all-time conversation as he struts into the Octagon at UFC 181. Anthony Pettis is flashy, he has nice suits, he does some incredible things, and he’ll surely have a multi-page entry in the history books, but for us, 181 is about Gil.
The greatest Strikeforce champion ever, Pride veteran and one judge’s decision from being a UFC champ is in his prime, so we pointed the camera at him and took pleasure in watching him train. Now we’re sharing with you.