Melendez: I Match Up ‘Very Well’ with Edgar, Maynard

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Gilbert Melendez was in the zone against Tatsuya Kawajiri. Or, as Melendez describes his April 9 Strikeforce lightweight title defense, he was in the “Matrix.”

“I was precise on every shot,” he said on “The Savage Dog Show” of his dominant first-round win. “I wanted to make every shot worth it. I feel like I’m in the ‘Matrix’ out there right now in that I can see things very well. I can see timing. I tried to rush, but it wasn’t there so I sat back and I waited for my openings and I created openings. When openings were there, I capitalized. I was precise and I was on the money. I think things worked perfectly.”

Melendez dropped Kawajiri early and never let up. He eventually finished the Japanese fighter at 3:14 with a series of elbows. Although most fighters might kick back after such an impressive performance, that’s not the case with Melendez. He believes he’s the best lightweight in the world and he also believes he’s within striking distance of proving it beyond question.

“I feel great, euphoric and motivated, very motivated,” Melendez said. “You’re supposed to be less motivated after a fight and want to chill out, but I’m actually more motivated to train. I can taste it. It’s within my grasp right now.”

Of course, while he may have a few things to prove to others, Melendez already sees himself as the top 155-pound fighter in the sport.

“Honestly, in my true opinion, I think I’ve done enough to be number one,” he said. “Frankie [Edgar] is amazing. He did beat B.J. Penn twice. That’s what he banks on. That is probably the biggest win in any 155-pounder’s career, and he did it twice, which is great. But if you look at all the history and all the champions I’ve beat and the places I’ve fought and everything I’ve done and the people’s records, I think I’ve done a lot statistically. Not only have I done a lot, I have dominated.”

Melendez likes how he matches up with both Edgar, the UFC lightweight champion, and upcoming challenger Gray Maynard. He sees Maynard as having the best wrestling pedigree of the three, but when it comes to wrestling in MMA, he thinks his own wrestling is just as good. When it comes to jiu-jitsu, Melendez thinks he is superior.

“I think I match up very well,” he said. “It’s definitely, by far, not an easy task or anything close to that. I know it would be a battle and a war. Someone like Frankie you’d have to walk down. Someone like Gray you’d have to hold your ground with. I think I match up well with them on my feet.”

One rumor circulating, though, is that UFC contender Jim Miller could be the next to challenge Melendez for his Strikeforce title. Melendez has heard the buzz.

“With open arms, I welcome that fight,” he said. “I know I have to do some tape studying on him, but I feel like I’m better in every aspect probably than he is. I am going to research tape a little. I’ve seen him fight quite a bit, but I’ll take a closer look and we can revisit this when we do have a thumbs up on it.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:37:23).