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As Gilbert ???El Nino??? Melendez prepares for his August 15 showdown with Josh ???The Punk??? Thompson, the interim Strikeforce lightweight champion takes some time away from his grueling training schedule to speak with MMA Spot about the match up, his future, his friends, and his business. Melendez is certainly one of the brightest stars currently fighting in the lightweight division. He has wins over Clay Guida, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Rumina Sato, and now, in his own words, he has a renewed dedication to becoming the best lightweight in the world.

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Spot: Have you changed anything about your training in preparation for this fight?
Gilbert: Yes, I have added more structure to the training camp. I have learned some new skills and improved some old ones. But most of all my motivation is there.

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Spot: With all the great lightweights out there today, do you have a dream list of guys you'd like to face in the future? Who? Why?
Gilbert: I have always dreamed of fighting fighters like Aoki, B.J. Penn, Kenny Florian, Sean Sherk......I guess all the top contenders. I mention all of these fighters because they are great challenges. I know on a good day I could beat any one of them.

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Spot: The Cesar Gracie team is riding a huge high right now, and has some of the best fighters in the sport, what has brought you guys to the top?
Gilbert: We are a real team. We started at the bottom together and have worked hard to get to the top together. It's plain and simple; we show up to training with no egos, practice hard, and we push each other as well as challenge one another.

via wwww.mmaspot.net