Melendez, a Mexican-American individual with a rich cultural heritage, hails from the vibrant city of Santa Ana, California, where he initially developed his passion for combat sports and competition during his high school years.
As a young adult, Melendez's fascination with combat sports and competition only intensified, leading him to discover the rapidly growing sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) after completing his college education. His introduction to the world of MMA came courtesy of his close friend and fellow MMA fighter, Jake Shields, who played a pivotal role in nurturing Melendez's interest in the sport.
Before dedicating himself to a career in MMA, Melendez pursued a liberal arts degree at San Francisco State University. Initially, he had planned to become a teacher, but his growing passion for MMA and the need to financially support himself led him to abandon his academic pursuits and focus on his new found love for the sport.
Despite not completing his college education and earning a degree, Melendez has expressed his intention to one day return to academia and fulfill his educational goals.
