Sept 20, 2006 Gabe “Godzilla” Ruediger had just faced two of the hardest rounds of his career. After losing to UFC and K-1 Hero’s Veteran Hermes Franca, Gabe’s first fight back, against Savant Young, proved to be more than just a tune up fight. After being almost knocked out in the second, Ruediger was down two rounds to nothing and about to lose his second fight in row. Fighting at 165, Ruediger looked soft and going into the third was visably tired but knowing Ruediger he was never out of the fight.

“When you know you’re going to lose a decision… you know you (just) have to go for it.” Rudediger came out guns blazing throwing a high kick and getting an impressive double. From there he ran a Jiu Jitsu clinic. Ruediger softened up Savant with punches from the mount leading to a joint popping armbar getting Godzilla the win.

Getting a notch back in the win column was all Ruediger needed to get a call from the UFC, who is currently building up its 155 roster. A week after his win the UFC contacted Ruediger trying to get him in as a last minute replacement for Leonard Garcia. Garcia was set to face Spencer Fisher but had to pull out of his UFC 60 bout due to a broken fibula. “I had just fought a week earlier so I declined that fight.” Matt Wiman stepped in for Garcia and lost.

Ruediger continued talks with the UFC eventually securing a fight with The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 Veteran Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard. Although Melvin’s stay at the TUF house was short he has found success where it matters going 2-1 in the big show getting wins against Rick Davis and Marcus Davis while losing by Submission to Josh Neer.

Although Guillard has over 20 fights more than Ruediger, Gabe feels he has had tougher opponents. Ruediger record includes a Submission win over Pride veteran Olaf Alfonso and a KO loss to Hermes Franca. “He is good and very very dangerous. He has a skill set but it’s unpolished. He makes mistakes and that’s the reality of it.”

Ruedigar feels that his best chance at winning is where he is the strongest and Melvin is the weakest, on the ground. Ruedigar has not limited his training to grappling, spending several weeks with Roberto Piccinini at Chute Boxe USA.

Talking about his only un-avenged loss “Fighting Hermes again will happen eventually… but I’m not looking past Melvin. I eat, sleep, and punch Melvin.”

Gabe would like to thank his sponsers:
United by Lending, Tapout, Sinister Brand, Fairtex, OnTheMat.com, Hardcore Fightwear, Indecision Records, MMA Fanatics, and Forty Thieves Clothing.