GIlbert Melendez Renews UFC Contract Plus More!!!

The UFC has just announced today that former Strikeforce Champion, Gilbert Melendez, will be staying with the UFC after the company has decided to match Bellator MMA's contract offer to the Melendez.  Also along with the resigning of the MMA vet, the UFC has decided to give Melendez a coaching spot on the twentieth season of the Ultimate Fighter reality series, which will feature the UFC's introduction to the female Atomweight Division.  He will be coaching along side current UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis.  After the conclusion of the Ultimate Fighter Finale, the two men will square off against each other for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

This is exciting news for any fan of Gilbert Melendez.  Melendez belongs in the UFC amongst the possible competition for him.  I feel talking with Bellator was a great idea for Melendez as it led to the UFC matching his deal with Bellator and also giving him a title shot in his next fight.  The title fight was a bittersweet announcement as many were looking forward to seeing UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo move up to Lightweight to fight Anthony Pettis, but I feel that Melendez is the most deserving challenger in the division.  I look forward to seeing how Melendez will handle the unorthodox striking of the champion when they finally clash.

The UFC Just May Get Another High Level Strawweight

Very soon we will be seeing 115 lb female Strawweights inside the Octagon.  The UFC has already acquired a who's-who of competitors in the UFC's coming strawweight division.  The show will introduce us to the division by putting together the first season of the Ultimate Fighter that will include and all female cast of competitors featuring some of Invicta FC's biggest names including current Invicta Strawweight Champion, Carla Esparza.  The women on the show will compete until there are two women left to square off for the inaugural UFC Strawweight Championship at the finale.  Now it seems that another big name from Invicta may be joining the cast as well.

Former Invicta Atomweight Champion, Jessica Penne (11-2) has expressed interest in moving up a weight class to try out for the 20th season of the Ultimate Fighter.  Penne defeated Naho Sugiyama at Invicta FC 3 in order earn the Invicta Atomweight title, but lost the title to Michelle Waterson at Invicta FC 5.  Penne recovered from that loss by defeating Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc at Invicta FC 6 by securing a first round rear-naked choke.

TUF 20 Announcement--Plus Carla Esparza!

The UFC has announced its plans for the Ultimate Fighter 20th season.  An all women's cast will be competing in the UFC's newly acquired Women's Strawweight Division.  So far the coaches have not been decided, but the UFC is open to male or female coaches.  Amongst the cast will be Invicta superstars such as Bec Hyatt, Felice Herrig, Alex Chambers, Emily Kagan, Claudia Gadelha, Juilianna Lima, Tecia Torres, Paige Van Zant, Rose Namajunas, Joanne Caldwerood and most importantly the Invicta FC Strawweight Champion, Carla Esparza.

The show will begin taping in May of 2014 and air in September of 2014.  Dana White stated that the move to bring in the Strawweight Division is not a move to try to buy out Invicta FC.  White believes that Invicta FC and the UFC can exist side-by-side and be beneficial to each other.