Jason Allen and I recently had an opportunity to ask Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez a few questions during a Q&A session in the ProElite.com forums.

Melendez is the current StrikeForce lightweight champion recently defeating Gabe Lemley via TKO at the "Shamrock vs Le" event back in March. He devastated Gabe with a vicious ground and pound assault and proved why he is ranked top ten in the world.

He recently suffered his first career loss at the hands of Mitsuhiro Ishida in a controversial 2 round decision that could have easily went his way. It happened back at the Yarennoka New Years Eve 2007 event in Saitama, Japan. Gilbert had won thirteen straight fights up until the loss to Ishida.

Gilbert was very forthcoming with his answers and had some very interesting things to say in this short interview I like to call:

16 Questions with El Nino

RedSweat: What got you into mma?

Gilbert: I’ve been a fan since I was a kid watching it on tv. I wrestled in high school. Then met Jake Shields in college and he got me into it

RedSweat: Do you remember the first fight you ever got into? (not mma) explain.

Gilbert: Not too sure, but in Jr. High I got into some of those school yard fights. Someone would hit you wrong in football & it then you’d be scrapping. Also I used to challenge kids in elementary school to wrestle. I used the head and arm takedown a lot then.

RedSweat: Your gas tank is never on "E", are you ever exhausted in a fight?, and if so what do you think about to keep yourself level.

Gilbert: I train hard in camp & put myself in that situation a lot, so I’m not new to it.

RedSweat: Are you obsessed with watching mma, like PPV, dvds, etc?

Gilbert: I’m a giant MMA fan, but not obsessed. I appreciate great fights, but don’t like to watch great fighters who fight with a boring style.

RedSweat: Has Nick Diaz ever got you in a "go-go" when you’ve rolled?

Gilbert: Nick has probably gotten me in a gogo plenty of times. I cant remember a specific time, but I’m sure he’s gotten in stuff that no ones even heard of! & if I rolled out of the gogo, he probably got me in an armbar. But that’s why I wont get gogo’d in a fight

RedSweat: How often do you train when preparing for a fight? When your off?

Gilbert: There is no off-season. Always on. My training camp is 8wks long and I increase the intensity every 2wks. I work out twice a week, for a total of 11times each week

RedSweat: If you had to estimate, how many fights do you plan on competing in during your career?

Gilbert: I want to go for another 20-25 fights

RedSweat: Who is your biggest role model, idol, or person you just look up to?

Gilbert: I look up to my teammates Nick, Jake, & Nate. Back in the day Tito Ortiz is someone I really looked up to.

RedSweat: Do you think that you and Josh Thomson will fight soon?

Gilbert: Me & Josh is a definite possibility.

RedSweat: Looking back at the tape of the Ishida fight, How would you have scored it?

Gilbert: I felt like Ishida won the first in a close round, but I thought I won the 2nd strong.

RedSweat: As a competitor in mma, what do you have to say to the people who think this sport is barbaric?

Gilbert: Obviously those people are not knowledgeable about the sport. They do not know about the huge technical aspect. It’s not like were blindfolded chickens. Those people need to take time to learn about the sport.

RedSweat: I heard you are one of the nicest guys outside of the ring. What do you do to get yourself into fight mode?

Gilbert: I think I’m mentally strong. I just stay cool and then let the beast out. I let it out by visualizing my goals, how hard I’ve worked, and how no one is going to take it from me.

RedSweat: Can you describe what your very first mma fight ever was like?

Gilbert: I have never felt a high or a rush like it before, and I was immediately hooked like crack. It was at "Barnyard Beatdown"… I had 2 fights in one night. I found the beast. It was a great feeling.

RedSweat: Who has the strongest jiu-jitsu at your training camp besides Cesar of course?

Gilbert: Jake & Nick. They are two different styles. Jake has the best top game & Nick has the best bottom game and overall BJJ. Dave Terrell– I miss you.

RedSweat: Have you ever had to use your skills in a real life fight situation?

Gilbert: Yeah, I never look for a fight, but had to finish a couple. It’s been a while though.

RedSweat: Describe MMA in 3 words?

Gilbert: "Mixed" "Martial" "Arts" lol. Seriously though, for me it would be "Glory", "Respect", and "Challenging"

A special thanks to Jason Allen for helping out with the questions. Stay tuned for more MMA news!