By TXMMA Staff | Photo: UFC.com, Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Houston’s Brian Melancon looking to make UFC ride last as long as he can; Faces TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum tonight at UFC Fight Night 27
INDIANAPOLIS, IND – Houston’s Brian Melancon (7-2, Paradigm Training Center) steps into the UFC cage for the second time tonight when he takes on TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum (6-0) as part of the UFC Fight Night 27 event scheduled for the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Following a career spent largely in the Legacy Fighting Championship and the now defunct Strikeforce promotion, Melancon hopes to follow up on his original dream to fight in the octagon just a single time.
“The difference is now my goals have been accomplished and all the sacrifices have been validated. I always knew I belonged and just wanted to prove it, and now I believe I have. I am just enjoying the ride now for however long it lasts.”
Surprising many the first time around by blasting and beating heavy favorite Seth Baczynski by first round knockout at UFC 162 this past July, it seems Brian Melancon may be around for much longer than he originally anticipated.
If he beats Kelvin Gastelum a 10th Planet Purple Belt and winner of The Ultimate Fighter 17, expectations will be raised even higher for the career physical therapist.
“I think Kelvin is a tough, well rounded opponent coming off a great win where he was an underdog like I was,” Brian says about his opponent. “I watched some of his fights and think he has good hands and footwork and he tries to keep you guessing with his takedowns. Similar to some of the things I do.”
At 5’9” Gastelum is also a big change from Melancon’s last opponent who stood talla t 6’3”.
“His (Gastelum’s) body type is similar but I face all different types in training and have in fights as well so I don’t think it matters either way. You have to be ready for everything.”
And ready he is.
Fighter Acknowledgements
“Thanks to everyone from Houston and back home that has always supported me through the highs and lows. I really do appreciate all the love and support. Please check out Fightfortheforgotten.com and help if you can. Justin Wren is going to the Congo to help free people who are enslaved in subhuman conditions and are considered animals. He is puttingthem on their own land with a new self-sustainable way of life. Please check them out and give if you can. God Bless.” – Brian Melancon
Make sure to tune in LIVE to FOX Sports 1 at 8PM EST / 9PM Central to watch Kelvin Gastelum vs. Brian Melancon this evening.
Here’s the entire fight card below for UFC Fight Night 27: Condit vs. Kampann 2.
UFC Fight Night 27 – Main Card (FOX Sports 1)
170 lbs.: Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann
155 lbs.: Donald Cerrone vs. Rafael dos Anjos
170 lbs.: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Brian Melancon
170 lbs.: Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker
135 lbs.: Takeya Mizugaki vs. Erik Perez
185 lbs.: Bubba McDaniel vs. Brad Tavares
UFC Fight Night 27 – Prelims (FOX Sports 2)
170 lbs.: Papy Abedi vs. Dylan Andrews
170 lbs.: Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch
145 lbs.: Hatsu Hioki vs. Darren Elkins
170 lbs.: James Head vs. Jason High
UFC Fight Night 27 – Prelims (Facebook)
170 lbs.: Ben Alloway vs. Zak Cummings
155 lbs.: Roger Bowling vs. Abel Trujillo