Melendez vs. Sanchez

This is the official discussion thread for Melendez vs. Sanchez. Let's see what you've got.

Melendez is going to be too much for Diego Sanchez here I think.

3-4 years ago this fight would have been awesome. Now I think Gil controls Diego everywhere the fight may go and will cruise to a UD. 

I expect Sanchez to make this a "dog fight" (as he calls it) but I just can't visualize him beating Gilbert Melendez. 

Diego will get dominated all 3 rounds. But the judges will score it 30-26 for sanchez.

^ so true

If Diego Sanchez loses this fight (and he probably will) his title aspirations will be over

This scrap should be a lot of fun, but I see Gilbert mostly dominating. 

My pick for Fight of the Night.

Gilbert via striking and GnP

 I don`t see Sánchez being on the receiving end of ground and pound.

* Edited at 10.16.2013, 8:52 PM ET *

I agree, I can't either.  I think Shanchez is the better grapler and will win if he utilizies that tool, but you never know with sanchez. I believe if he makes this grapling and transitional fight he will win. My fear with him is his game plan and if he will have a good cut or not. If he shows up like he did against gomi he getting destroyed, but if he has good cut and the right gameplan he can be a monster at light wieght. Honestly believe he one of the best grapplers at that weight class. He also big fight the weight class, and very good in scramples. I think he just needs constantly pressure.

* Edited at 10.16.2013, 9:04 PM ET *

Melendez has the advantage everywhere in this fight. I expect this to be a brutal beatdown.

I agree with Franklin completely. Sanchez is the better grappler, but Meléndez is a much more intelligent fighter. You just never know with Diego. 

* Edited at 10.16.2013, 9:11 PM ET *

Sanchez isn't the better grappler ... he may have the "credentials" and more sub wins but they weren't against guys at Gil's level ... if Bendo couldn't get Gil down and/or hold him there for long you can bet you life Sanchez isn't. 

I think you are mistaken. He might not have good enough wrestling to get Gil down but he would out grapple Gil if they hit the Map as long as sanchez came in shape. Sanchez is elite level grappler. Which has been seen in his match against Nick Diaz when he beat Nick via out grappling him. He also has won numerous grappling tournaments. And is good enough to give Roy absolute fits in a grappling match yet he significantly smaller then Roy Nelson who is consider a very high level black belt.  If Sanchez gets on top of Gil he will keep him down and will show to be the superior grappler. The problem is I not sure he will get Gil down or opt for the strategy but I don't think you should be underestimating Sanchez grappling skills because they are top notch. Sanchez grappling skill>>Bendo. 

* Edited at 10.17.2013, 9:21 AM ET *

"... if ..." "... as long as ..." ... you see where I'm going with this? I agree with everything you said 5 years ago ... now I don't think Sanchez has "it" anymore ...

As for Roy Nelson's grappling, sorry, I think that Roy's high-level grappling days ended 7 years and 30lbs ago ...

By the way, I'm not underestimating Sanchez' grappling skills, I'm saying Gil's are better, it's not like Gil's some low-level dude.

As for the Bendo-Sanchez thing, we're going to have to agree to disagree on that one (considering grappling as a whole, not just pure BJJ).

@franklin so if somehow someway Diego gets into a dominate position he has the ability to keep it which makes him a better grappler? Ok, good insight. Fact is Gil will shrug off anything Diego tries. Melendez will never be in any trouble in this fight. He is actually better in every aspect then Diego is. 

@Yoss,

I think saying 5 years ago is quite the exaggeration. Based on his last fight I understand but to say 5 years is a bit much. He had wars with top 10 welter weights like Ellenburger just a year ago. Ellenburger is a massive welter weight and Sanchez  who arguably should have been at light weight the entire time.  That is pretty dam impressive. Mel and many light weights would have got knock the **** out. Sanchez dominated the third round badly and honestly could have gotten a 10/8. He also dominated Pualo thiago in grappling who a legit welter weight and grappler. Again while being undersized for a welter weight.

Also Diego grappled Roy Nelson over 7 years ago. So Sanchez grappled  roy when "you" considered roy a high level grappler and did pretty dam well for being so undersized.  Also I think the idea of you thinking roy has not been high level grappler for the last 7 years is pretty absurd. There a reason why numerous fighters have had roy train them in grappling. Also Roy never came close to being submitted by Wherdum and handle himself pretty fine on the ground when Werdum was capable of subbing both fador/overreem on the ground. Both very accomplished grapplers. Roy fought better werdum then either of them and proved him self quite capable. So I find it hard to take your insertions that roy is not longer high level grappler seriously

Gil not being low level dude does not make him superior to sanchez in grappling. Mel has never displayed the same level of grappling prowess as Sanchez. Mel not even consider the best grappler in the scrap back and not by a long shot. Sanchez has out grappled Nick Diaz who is better then Mel at grappling. Mel is good take down defense, but he is not on the same level as sanchez when the fight hits the mat. The idea that you believe mel is superior grappler is far fetch to me. Mel will likely win this fight by being more technical and busy striker, not by any ability in his grappling but rather his ability to keep the fight standing. If this turned into grappling match he will lose and quite possibly dominantly.

Even if you take grappling as a whole Bendo is still not better. Bendo has better take down defense and take down offense by a fair margin. He however has inferior top game/bottom game and submissions as well as submission defense. Sanchez is the better grappler the issue is however that sanchez is not nearly as good at making the fight a grappling match as some like Bendo.

* Edited at 10.17.2013, 5:24 PM ET *