Former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez recently signed a new deal with the UFC and the first fight on his new contract comes against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 215.
Melendez recently appeared on MMA Junkie Radio and talked about how he used his free agency to get a good contract from the UFC.
“There’s definitely fatter contracts, but I’ve got a good contract,” Melendez said. “I can’t say (I get pay-per-view points on every fight), but there is a purse and some other things that are factored in that add up … to what we’re looking for.”
The fighter is also making his featherweight division debut in the UFC, as he has previously competed at lightweight throughout his career.
It was a brainstorming session between Melendez and his team that also helped land him a good contract.
“We brainstormed some really good things that were important to me that cover some other payments,” says Melendez.
UFC 215 takes place on Saturday, September 9 from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with Demetrious Johnson and Ray Borg headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
