Masvidal Likes How He Matches Up with Melendez

---

After an impressive unanimous decision over K.J. Noons, Jorge Masvidal is hoping he gets a shot at Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez.

In addition to an opportunity to take the title, Masvidal thinks it’s a good matchup for him.

“I think I match up well with any lightweight walking the earth,” Masvidal said recently during a “Savage Dog Show” interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. “With Gil, I think I match up good. I don’t have a problem with wrestlers. I’m just going to go in and pick him apart. Do my fight. He can do his thing and I’m going to do my thing, and I’m going to come out on top.”

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has suggested the matchup will probably happen. Masvidal seems to have earned the shot after a breakthrough showing against Noons in which he proved to be the better striker, grappler and all-around fighter.

“I’m just waiting on the word,” Masvidal said of a bout against Melendez. “As soon as they tell me something, I’m ready.”

For now, Masvidal is waiting. It’s not just the belt or the recognition he anticipates either.

“Not so much for the people to know me but for the money,” Masvidal said. “That’s a big step up. With the title comes more money, comes more everything. I’m excited about that. Gil’s a top-three lightweight in the world. They’ve got him as high as number one in some rankings. He’s no lower than number three. It’s definitely going to be a big thing to get in there with Gil and kick his butt.”

Masvidal has come a long way from the backyard fights in Miami that helped build his name. After climbing the ranks through regional promotions, he appears to be fighting his best now at an opportune time.

“I definitely thought it was possible,” Masvidal said of his rise. “Since the first time I had a fight, I loved this and I liked this and [I thought I was] going to be doing this for a long, long time. For me it wasn’t like a fluke where I was going to get discouraged if I lost. … I knew with the right time, the right amount of work, I’d be able to push myself and go places. That’s one thing, especially at lightweight: I’m willing to push more than any of these guys.”

Now Masvidal has positioned himself to climb to the top of Strikeforce. He has even greater ambitions, though, including an eventual move to the UFC.

“I want to beat up everybody in Strikeforce,” he said. “I want to get the belt. I want to defend that belt, and then when I’ve cleaned out the division, I’m sure they’re going to bring me over.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:49:08).