"Absolutely it’ll be his last fight (in Strikeforce)", assures the coach, who didn’t have any doubts about Melendez’s situation on the lightweight division of Ultimate, which title holder is Frankie Edgar. "I believe Melendez is the best of the world in this division".
This isn't exactly shocking news to anyone, but it's the first time that Gracie has made such a definitive statement about it. Gracie also talked about how he actually didn't want Melendez to take the fight with Masvidal:
"It’s a very dangerous fight. Melendez has nothing to win, there’s the problem," Cesar said. "I didn’t want him to do it. I believe he’s gonna win, he’s a better fighter, but in any fight you can either win or lose and it’s not different this time. Melendez has everything to lose and nothing to gain. He needs to fight the top fighters. Masvidal sometimes is good, but sometimes he loses to some guys nobody knows".
Cesar's speaking the truth here. A loss to Masvidal would kill a lot of Gil's cred coming into the UFC. Was Melendez smart to take one last title defense in the UFC? I wonder if he was even given much choice in the matter.
More SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal