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Gilbert Melendez believes he is as knowledgeable about the sport of MMA as anyone in the industry, so he believes the following advice should be important.
During his nearly 17-year career as a professional fighter, Melendez captured and defended the Strikeforce lightweight title, fought for a UFC championship and created many memorable wars. Since his retirement he has dabbled in management and as a TV analyst, currently runs his own regional promotion in California and still maintains close relationships with many of the sport’s key players.
His transition from active competition into retirement went largely smoothly. Melendez, 42, said he has found a comfortable place in retirement. However, not everyone has found the same path, which is why retirements in MMA have proven so fickle.
Melendez doesn’t like to see that, he said, and urges the next wave of athletes to be more forward-thinking when it comes to life after retirement.
“When I set my goals at the beginning of my career, I only looked at the age of 35. I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going to do this,'” Melendez told MMA Junkie Radio. “That was when I was a young man. About 20 years old. And my goals ended at 35. And now I have a new plan that lasts until 60. I have a 60 year plan. I’m thinking about youth.” Yes, your lifespan is short in professional combat sports, but you have to look beyond your fighting career. You have to look at it like, ‘Okay, I’m in this fighting game, I’m investing 20 years of my life, I don’t want to stop planning when I’m done fighting.’ You have to look at it as a 40-year plan, a 50-year plan – whatever you start with, and it can’t end with the last fight by withdrawing and moving on.”
Melendez knows that hanging up the gloves and making it permanent can be easier said than done for other fighters. Fighting is a global sport and comes with different circumstances for each person. Regardless, Melendez said planning for the future is something everyone should be able to do.
“That’s my advice to the next generation: You can’t just look at your last fight when you put the gloves down,” Melendez said. “You have to look 20 years beyond that and start planning now. Whether it’s gyms, whether it’s private (training sessions), whether it’s building a security team or acting as a promoter. I feel so invested in it. “I have a doctorate in martial arts. Anyone who has made it to the UFC probably has a doctorate in martial arts. I feel like I’m at the top of my class, so use your doctorate from martial arts and keep spreading the word.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Former Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez shares advice for the next generation of fighters
