Gil Melendez and Bellator agree to terms, UFC holds rights to match offer

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JonnyRico
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:45 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

@
shaunalshatti
1m
Bellator agrees to terms to sign Gilbert Melendez. UFC now holds right to match offer. Wow.
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@
shaunalshatti
3m
Rebney: "Gil has a vision for what he wants to accomplish both inside and outside the cage and we can help make his vision a reality."
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[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MMAFTM13
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:47 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

Bellator will have the best LWs in the world if this happens.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JonnyRico
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:47 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

From Bellator.com
Bellator & Gilbert Melendez Agree on Structure to Bring Top Lightweight To Bellator
UFC Now Holds Right to Match Offer
Newport Beach, Calif. (February 14, 2014) –
At 22-3, Gilbert Melendez sits atop the UFC’s lightweight division. With victories over Josh Thomson, Diego Sanchez, Shinya Aoki and Jorge Masvidal, “El Nino” is ready for a new crop of challengers as the Santa Ana native has agreed to a multi-fight, multi-year deal structure with Bellator that can pit Melendez against some of MMA’s best, including Eddie Alvarez, Michael Chandler, Will Brooks, Dave Jansen and a host of top lightweights from around the world.
“The moment Gil was legally able to explore the free agent market, Gil’s management team reached out to me and we began figuring out how to bring Gil to Bellator,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “It’s no secret that I’ve been a big “El Nino” fan for many years. Gil was one of the first fighters I tried to sign when I launched Bellator back in 2008, and he’s grown and developed into one of the best and most exciting lightweights on earth. Gil has a vision for what he wants to accomplish both inside and outside the cage and we can help make his vision a reality. We are in the business of developing and showcasing the greatest fighters on earth. That’s what we intend to do here with Gil and it’s what we’ll continue to do in the future.”
The UFC currently holds matching rights on Melendez.
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[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Neonep
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:54 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

This is insane.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: imhungry4444
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:55 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

I reaaaaally hope UFC matches. I mean they have to....but at the same time, if Gil's "manager" is that much of a c*nt, then it probably wont happen. Alvarez/Melendez or even Chandler/Melendez are both fantastic fights. Guess this means that dos Anjos/Khabib is a number 1 contender fight. While Bendo fights Grant.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: imhungry4444
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:57 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

I think if Melendez becomes a Bellator fighter, they set him up against Will Brooks. Dave Jansen has the next title shot, and Will Brooks does NOT want to wait for Alvarez/Chandler III to happen and then have Jansen get his shot. Melendez/Brooks makes alot of sense.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JonnyRico
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:57 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

imhungry4444 said:
I reaaaaally hope UFC matches. I mean they have to....but at the same time, if Gil's "manager" is that much of a c*nt, then it probably wont happen. Alvarez/Melendez or even Chandler/Melendez are both fantastic fights. Guess this means that dos Anjos/Khabib is a number 1 contender fight. While Bendo fights Grant.
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Grant's still not even cleared, wouldn't expect him to get booked until mid or late summer by this point

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Neonep
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:58 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

imhungry4444 said:
I reaaaaally hope UFC matches. I mean they have to....but at the same time, if Gil's "manager" is that much of a c*nt, then it probably wont happen. Alvarez/Melendez or even Chandler/Melendez are both fantastic fights. Guess this means that dos Anjos/Khabib is a number 1 contender fight. While Bendo fights Grant.
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What the f--- is his manager doing?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: imhungry4444
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:58 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

JonnyRico said:
Grant's still not even cleared, wouldn't expect him to get booked until mid or late summer by this point
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Then i guess Khabilov might get his shot at Bendo afterall.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: imhungry4444
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:59 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

Neonep said:
What the f--- is his manager doing?
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He's GSP's friend. But as Dana said, just cause they're friends, doesnt make him a good manager. He's basically f*cking everything up atm.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MMAFTM13
Date: February 14, 2014 at 06:59 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

I can't help think that this is Danas hot headed approach to business that is the cause of talks breaking down. Sorry!

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: holmezy
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:00 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

Yeah I dont want to see Gil go to Bellator, they do have a good LW division but the better fighters are still in the UFC.
I personally wish Bellator would just f---ing fold already so we can have all the top guys fight each other.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: imhungry4444
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:01 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

MMAFTM13 said:
I can't help think that this is Danas hot headed approach to business that is the cause of talks breaking down. Sorry!
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Well actually, after Dana couldnt get anything done, Fertitta took over the negotiations. So if the level headed dude that Fertitta is couldnt get things done, then either Gil's manager is a moron or.......he's just a moron.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JonnyRico
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:01 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

Gilbert Melendez
‏
@
GilbertMelendez
30s
It's an opp. to be apart of something special and I could make history testing myself against some of the toughest LWs in the world
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[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Neonep
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:02 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

imhungry4444 said:
He's GSP's friend. But as Dana said, just cause they're friends, doesnt make him a good manager. He's basically f*cking everything up atm.
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I guess he's trying to force the UFC's hand. This could work or it could blow up in their face. I'm curious as to what the hell Bellator offered him that the UFC did not.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: imhungry4444
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:02 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

@GilbertMelendez said:
Hey guys. As soon as I was a free agent, I had my team call Bellator, and Bjorn made an amazing offer that would allow me to reach my goals.
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Ok, now that i think about it, the type of guy that Dana is, i think he and the UFC are going to let Gil go to Bellator.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: KZUFCchamp2013
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:03 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

Still think he ends up in the UFC, this is all a negotiating tactic to get as much money as possible. If he truly believes himself to be the best in the world he will resign with the UFC. Even if they don't offer him the most money right away, the UFC is where the most potential money lies, and he knows that. Sometimes you just have to work your way up to get that

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JonnyRico
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:04 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

@
GilbertMelendez
2m
If the UFC wants me they have the right to match. Ill let the fans know more as soon as it's settled.
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[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Neonep
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:04 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

JonnyRico said:
Gilbert Melendez
‏
@
GilbertMelendez
30s
It's an opp. to be apart of something special and I could make history testing myself against some of the toughest LWs in the world
Click to expand...
You know, I know, & everyone else knows that's a damn lie.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: thedoop
Date: February 14, 2014 at 07:05 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/gil-melendez-and-bellator-agree-to-terms-ufc-holds-rights-to-match-offer.61035/

Dana done f---ed up again.