Gilbert Melendez -- a former Strikeforce and WEC lightweight champion and one of the top veteran fighters still in the UFC -- knows he's in "the fourth quarter" of his career. At 35 years old, he will take on Jeremy Stephens on Saturday night at UFC 215, hoping to rebound after three consecutive losses.
In our first installment of "My life as a fighter," Melendez looks back at the highs and lows of his career, recalling some of the formative moments, friendships and biggest events of his career. He also touches on a number of different topics that are on his mind at this point in his career, including weight cuts, injuries and life after MMA.