Gilbert Melendez Is Behind “Real” Mexican Cain Velasquez
The UFC is set to make its second trip to Mexico this Saturday night (June 13, 2015) for UFC 188, which is being headlined by a heavyweight title matchup between reigning heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez and interim champion Fabricio Werdum. Two of the best heavyweights the sport has ever seen, the two seemed to respect each other quite a bit, but “Vai Cavalo” seems to have cooked up some heat as of late.
Werdum took shots at Velasquez’s Mexican heritage in Embedded episodes one and three, and recently said that the champion, whose parents were born in Mexico, is not Mexican, but rather American. Velasquez did not take lightly to these comments, calling his opponent two faced as a result.
Another fighter of Mexican descent who is competing on the card is Gilbert Melendez who is set to meet former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in the co-main event of the evening. “El Nino”, who like Velasquez was born in America, recently spoke with MMAJunkie on the topic, saying that he understands Werdum’s tactics, but that there’s no denying Velasquez and his Mexican heritage:
“Fabricio knows very good Spanish and I think he’s very in touch with the people out here,” Melendez (22-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), said. “There’s no denying, Cain, his blood is Mexican. He’s from Mexico.”
As far as the main event is concerned, it’s a very interesting fight in which many factors may come up into play. Check out our preview here.
Despite Werdum’s obvious improvements as of late, Melendez stated that the baddest man in the world right now is Mexican, and he believes it will stay that way come fight night:
“There hasn’t ever been a Mexican heavyweight champion in boxing or any other sport,” he said. “The baddest man in the world right now is a Mexican, and I think it’s going to stay that way.”
Melendez voiced his respect for Werdum, but also expressed his thanks and gratitude to his fellow Mexican Velasquez. “El Nino” says that without the heavyweight champ, he wouldn’t get the chance to compete in Mexico, and he owes it all to Velasquez:
“Because of him, the sport is getting more popular. Because of Cain, I get to come here, so I’m getting behind Cain. I really respect Werdum, (but) you’ve got to go with your culture.”
Melendez will look to get back on track this weekend after suffering a loss in his last bout against former champion Anthony Pettis. Can “El Nino” and Velasquez get the job done in front of the Mexican faithful?
