Melendez Replaces Injured Green, Meets Iaquinta at UFC Fight Night in San Diego

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Gilbert Melendez won’t have much time to dwell on his loss to Eddie Alvarez at UFC 188.

The former Strikeforce lightweight champion will replace the injured Bobby Green and face Al Iaquinta at UFC Fight Night in San Diego on July 15. The new matchup was announced Wednesday evening on Fox Sports Live. The event takes place at Valley View Casino Center and is headlined by a heavyweight duel between Frank Mir and Todd Duffee.

Melendez dropped a split verdict to Alvarez in Mexico City this past Saturday, “El Nino’s” third loss in his last four UFC appearances. Prior to falling to Alvarez, Melendez tapped to an Anthony Pettis guillotine choke in a lightweight championship bout at UFC 181. His lone victory in the Las Vegas-based promotion came against Diego Sanchez at UFC 166.

Iaquinta has won four straight in the Octagon since he tapped to a Mitch Clarke brabo choke at UFC 173. The Serra-Longo Fight Team member is 2-0 thus far in 2015, as he scored a technical knockout victory over Joe Lauzon at UFC 183 and captured a split verdict against Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night “Mendes vs. Lamas.”