Melendez to return at UFC 239, take on Allen – ESPN

Gilbert Melendez is returning to the Octagon this summer.

The decorated MMA veteran will take on Arnold Allen in a featherweight bout at UFC 239 on July 6 in Las Vegas, the UFC announced Wednesday. The fight originally was scheduled for last November before Melendez withdrew due to injury.

Melendez (22-7) is on a four-fight losing streak and has not competed since a defeat to Jeremy Stephens at UFC 215 in September 2017. The California native last won a bout in 2013. Melendez, 37, is a former longtime Strikeforce lightweight champion and former UFC lightweight title challenger. He made his pro MMA debut in 2002.

Allen (14-1) is one of the hottest fighters in the featherweight division. The England native is undefeated in the UFC and has won seven straight overall. He hasn’t lost since 2014. Allen, 25, most recently defeated Jordan Rinaldi via unanimous decision at UFC London in March.

UFC 239 is headlined by a light heavyweight title fight pitting champion Jon Jones against challenger Thiago Santos. In the co-main event, Amanda Nunes defends her women’s bantamweight title against Holly Holm.