Brandon Melendez has been released from his UFC contract, MMA on Tap reported earlier this week. According to the report Melendez asked for and was granted the release with plans to maintain a more active fight schedule in smaller MMA promotions.

Melendez was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter 5 topping Andy Wang in the opening round of the lightweight tournament before being defeated by Gray Maynard in the quarterfinals. In his only UFC fight Melendez was submitted by Joe Lauzon on the finale of the series in June.

Prior to his loss in the UFC, Melendez was a Sportfight welterweight champion who had achieved an 8-5 record in an assortment of smaller MMA promotions.

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