The current Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez is on a 3-fight winning streak, holds an overall MMA record of 17-2 and is ranked top 5 lightweight in the world. Melendez feels that he has a better chance at defeating UFC 155-pound champ BJ ‘The Prodigy’ Penn, more than anyone else in that division.
As for Penn, he has defended the lightweight belt three times in a row with wins over Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and his most recent victory over Diego Sanchez at UFC 107. Frankie Edgar is next in line for a shot at the title, but how would you feel about a possible future match-up between Penn and Melendez?
“B.J.’s on another level. [But] I think I could do better than a lot of guys do against B.J. A lot of guys sit back and want to last with B.J. I’d rather get knocked out in the center of the ring and go for it, than sit back and try to figure it out. If things aren’t working, I’m going to charge B.J. and try to knock him out. It’s better than just running away and not being able to engage.”
