1. Gilbert Melendez
Melendez was very much Strikeforce's version of Wanderlei Silva in Pride Fighting Championships, setting a slew of records for title defenses and victories. However, Melendez kept winning the whole way through and remained champion until the very end, unlike Silva, who faltered and lost in Pride's last few years. Personally, I had him second behind Luke Rockhold, but it was by the slimmest of margins. Melendez, like his arch-nemesis Josh Thomson, was a fantastic wrestler with excellent BJJ and endless cardio who became a very good kickboxer. He was arguably the best lightweight on the planet during his time in Strikeforce, and set promotional records for title defenses (4), title reigns (2), days as champion (an insane 1,977 days, or about five and a half years), and total wins (11). Melendez began his time in the promotion with a knockout of Harris Sarmiento and then faced the first Strikeforce lightweight champion, Clay Guida, for the belt. Melendez dominated the contest, garnering two scorecards of 50-45, though a third judge, Jon Schorle, inexplicably had it 48-46 Guida. Apparently, he couldn't even count correctly, as no round was close to a 10-8 nor was a point deducted. After a decision over solid Japanese contender Tetsuji Kato, Melendez battered overmatched journeyman Gabe Lemley, stopping him in the second. Melendez then faced one of the best lightweights in the world, Thomson, and was a big favorite at over -400. Shockingly, Thomson won, and in fact, took every round on all three scorecards. This would be Melendez's lone loss in the promotion. He recorded a knockout of Rodrigo Damm, and then knocked out a borderline top 10 lightweight in Mitsuhiro Ishida to win the interim crown. That set up a rematch showdown with Thomson, and this time, Melendez would have his revenge, clearly winning a judges' verdict in an all-time classic. Melendez's first defense was a showdown against Shinya Aoki, then in his prime and considered by many the best lightweight in the world. Melendez refuted that speculation, defending takedown attempts and blasting Aoki with punches, winning 50-45 across the board, which was generous, as there was at least one 10-8 round in there. After that, Melendez fought yet another Japanese legend and top lightweight in Tatsuya Kawajiri, smashing him apart with elbows in the very first round. Melendez's next defense was against a very talented, tough striker in Jorge Masvidal (whatever happened to that guy?) and yet again he dominated, sweeping him 50-45 on all three official cards. This set up a rubber match with Thomson, and in yet another fantastic fight, Melendez won a razor-thin split decision. Melendez would then join the UFC and immediately challenge Benson Henderson for the title. Despite most observers feeling that Melendez won, Henderson walked away with a controversial split decision, one of many during his career, perhaps to reinforce that the UFC was superior to Strikeforce. Melendez didn't achieve even close to the same heights of greatness in the UFC that he had in Strikeforce, which is why he was—very unjustly, in my view—left off the list of ten best lightweights ever, but luckily, he gets his due here.