Gilbert Melendez Wants His Teammate Nate DiazTo Fight For The Title
Nate Diaz is taking on Anthony Pettis, in his first fight since 2016. However, his teammate Gilbert Melendez wants to see him face a different opponent instead.
Gilbert Melendez is a close friend to Nate Diaz. They are both members of what is known as the Skrap Pack. At one point, this gang of fighters were tearing the MMA scene up. However, this bond of loyalty still stands strong today.
Melendez is set to compete at UFC 239. Ahead of this bout, he spoke with Gareth Davies about the ever-elusive Nate Diaz. Although most of the fighting world seems to want to see Diaz have a trilogy fight with Conor McGregor, Melendez has other ideas.
“I believe that trilogy is there. Just like my fight with Diego Sanchez is always there regardless. Just like Nick’s fight with Georges St-Pierre is always there. They could do it ten years down the road but I think it’s there. I’d really like to see Nate fight whoever he wants.”
Melendez explained further:
“Yes, Conor, but I want to see him fight Khabib. I think he’s a grappler, he welcomes the ground. The only one who welcomes the ground like him is Tony Ferguson. He’s a guy you don’t want to stand with, but then you take him down and you want to get out of that guard. Nate is dangerous. I want to see Nate and Khabib right now. I’ll watch Conor and Nate up to ten years down the road.”
Is Gilbert Melendez on to something here? Perhaps, if Nate Diaz gets past Anthony Pettis, we will see this fight come together.
