Gilbert Melendez won the Strikeforce lightweight title and defended it against opponents including Tatsuya Kawajiri. His fights with Josh Thomson included taking the belt back in December 2009. He mixed wrestling with a high boxing pace, working in close and staying in exchanges instead of backing out after one shot.

El Nino went straight into a UFC title fight against Benson Henderson in 2013. Later that year he fought Diego Sanchez at UFC 166. They traded for three rounds, Melendez won the decision and both took home Fight of the Night.

Gilbert was part of the Metal Mulisha fight team during his Strikeforce championship years. We supported him through that title run and worked with him on signature apparel.