"As soon as Gilbert became the free agent, his managers contacted me and we began to plan how we can carry out Gilbert's transition to Bellator" — Bjoern Rebni in the official press release reports.

Melendes commented on withdrawal from UFC as follows:

"When I became the free agent, my team called representatives of Bellator, and Bjoern made us the remarkable proposal which will help me to achieve the objects.

I like to be part something special, and now I will be able to become history, having checked myself in fights with with some of the best easily scales of the world" — Melendes wrote.

We will remind that recently Dane White declared that negotiations with Melendes came to a standstill because of claims of his manager. Now the privilege to the contract of the fighter UFC and if White offers it more favorable contract still possesses, Melendes will be obliged to remain within the walls of Zuffa.

The head of Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Caesar Gracie commented on this transaction in the Twitter:

"Dane White didn't manage to make a fool of Gilberta. Be careful, differently and other our fighters will pass from UFC into Bellator" — wrote to Gracie.