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Jonathan Snowden asks "Can Gilbert Melendez Stay Focused In The Face Of A UFC Fantasy Future?"

Jonathan Snowden says that Gilbert Melendez needs to earn his place in the UFC rather than getting an immediate title shot. Read it at MMA Nation.

Is Gilbert Melendez the rightful challenger to Frankie Edgar's UFC lightweight throne? Thomas Myers says "yes" at MMA Nation.

Mauro Ranallo talks to Ariel Helwani about UFC 136, Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard, Jose Aldo, Chael Sonnen, Brian Stann, and Gilbert Melendez. (video won't embed.) ht:thescore

Tatsuya Kawajiri lets his fans know via Twitter that he's okay following the devastating earthquake in Japan. HT: MiddleEasy

Matt Wiman talks to UFC.com about maturing as a fighter, and moving to California to train with Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez in preparation for his fight this weekend with Mac Danzig at UFC 115: "I kinda appreciate that I’m a little bit of a wildcard," he said. "I see these guys that have all the hype and all the press and I kinda like laying low a little bit. That’s all gonna change eventually if you keep beating people up and doing well, so I’m down for a slow road and not a quick jump to the top and then what happens?" And Wiman is not about to make an impression fast and burn out even faster. He’s in this for the long haul, and to ensure his longevity, he’s making every effort to keep growing as a fighter. This time around, that meant moving with his wife from Dallas to San Francisco for a change of scenery and to start working with "The Skrap Pack", led by Gilbert Melendez and Jake Shields. "It was one of those things where it kinda made everybody happy," said Wiman of the move. "My wife and I wanted to move out to either the east or west coast to have a change of scenery because we’ve been out in the Midwest for a long time. It was also to do something new and mix it up to challenge myself, because sometimes you get a little stale training with the same guys. I had great training in Texas as well, but I’ve got a new batch of guys up here that are awesome." Photo: UFC.com UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin coverage

Strikeforce open to Bellator co-promotion, Gilbert Melendez vs. Eddie Alvarez: A potential fight between two of the world's top 155-pound fighters outside of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is one step closer to fruition. Just hours after officials from Bellator Fighting Championships distributed a press release campaigning for a fight between their lightweight champ, Eddie Alvarez [Number 5], and Strikeforce lightweight title-holder Gilbert Melenedez [Number 3], Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said he's open to co-promoting the champion-vs.-champion bout. "If the stars align and we can work out all the terms and conditions and timing, we'd do it," Coker told MMAjunkie.com. "Of course we would. Why wouldn't we? Let's go do this." HT: mmajunkie.com