Defining the pivotal moments in Brian Melancon’s career

Houston MMA representative retires prematurely but not before accomplishing his UFC goal

The world celebrates those who do as they say they are going to do and today the Houston MMA Community celebrates one of their own in Brian Melancon.

A UFC fighter and veteran of Houston-based Legacy FC, Brian Melancon officially announced his retirement yesterday due to medical issues. He was scheduled to fight TUF: Smashes winner Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 33 next month on Dec. 7 in Australia. That would have marked his third fight for the UFC after going 1-1 so far with a win over Seth Baczynski and loss to Kelvin Gastelum but alas, it was not to be.

Brian Melancon issued the following statement via his Facebook account:

“It has been announced, I am sad to say that my fight career is over. I have been having kidney problems that have gotten much worse recently and just found out that my kidney function has dropped to 47%. If I continue to train, fight, and cut weight then I run the risk of permanent damage. I have been advised by my Specialist to retire and move on and that is what I will be doing. This is not how I wanted to go out, but I have to believe that God has another path for me. Thanks to all of you who supported me throughout my career.”

Despite the fact that he’ll no longer be an active fighter, Brian will always be remembered in the cage as a ferocious competitor who did everything he could to compete and win. 5 out of his 7 career wins came by finish and there was never a moment in any of his fights that was not exciting.

With a stated number-one goal of making it to the UFC ever since he started training with Saul Soliz at Metro Fight Club over five years ago, Melancon did everything he could to get to the highest level of MMA. That included a switch to Paradigm Training Center (alongside longtime teammates Jeff Rexroad, Mike Bronzoulis, etc.) after his old team went on hiatus and some brutal cuts to 155 lbs. for fights earlier on in his career that were brutal; something evident in his current medical condition. Be that as it may, he was never afraid to make the sacrificed he thought were necessary to succeed.

Working full-time managing physical therapy clinics, Brian got the call to accomplish his ultimate dream of fighting for the world’s undisputed #1 MMA organization earlier on this year. He debuted as a underdog to “Polish Pistola” Seth Baczynski at UFC 162. Prior to their fight Seth was a 4-1 UFC vet and touted to be one of the up-and-coming welterweights for the organization. Melancon was supposed to be cannon-fodder to the prospect but shocked the pundits with a first round knockout of Baczynski that had Joe Rogan and others likening him to MMA great Fedor Emelianenko.

He went on to fight once more, losing by submission in a valiant effort versus Kelvin Gastelum  but ultimately that rousing performance versus Seth Baczynski will now become the defining moment of his career – the moment where he accomplished a dream despite all odds, the exact moment in time  where he did what he said he was going to do from the outset and where he forever defined himself as a man of his word.

Brian Melancon – Career Chronology

• Jan. 2009 – Started his pro career, winning TKO over Adrian Barco at URC 3.
• May 2010 – After 3 wins, fought Adam Schindler at Bellator 20, losing by decision.
• July 2010 – Signed with Legacy FC, debuting with a TKO win over Todd Moore.
• Jan. 2011 – Defeated Derrick Krantz by decision at Legacy FC 5.
• June 2011 – Signed with Strikeforce – drops disputed decision to Isaac Vallie-Flagg.
• Sept. 2011 – Wins a unanimous decision over Felipe Portela in last Strikeforce fight.
• Jan. 2013 – Strikeforce officially folded into the UFC; Concentrates on physical therapy career.
• July 2013 – Debuts as huge underdog to Seth Baczynski at UFC 162; Wins by KO.
• Aug. 2013 – Loses to Kelvin Gastelum by submission at UFC Fight Night 27
• Oct. 2013 – Booked to take on TUF winner Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 33
• Nov. 2013 – Announces retirement due to medical issues (kidney) on Nov. 20.