On Saturday night, Former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, got his first taste of victory inside the UFC Octagon with a close split decision victory against former Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez, in a fight which acted as an appetiser for UFC 188’s main event between Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Gilbert Melendez
Official Result: Eddie Alvarez def. Gilbert Melendez via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29).
What was the high point of the fight?
On paper this fight had all the makings of a fight of the year candidate. Both Melendez and Alvarez are renowned for their fan friendly styles and often in the past, the pair have been known to get into wild striking exchanges and throw punches with reckless abandon, but unfortunately Saturday night saw both fighters fight calculated fights, with Eddie Alvarez’s superior wrestling probably acting as the only deciding factor.
Where do these two go from here?
Eddie Alvarez is one of the best fighters in the world and on any given night he is one strike away from knocking out anyone. Although Anthony Pettis is coming off a loss, a fight between Pettis and Alvarez would likely act as a number one contender’s match and provide a ton of entertainment in the process.
Personally I have always thought that Gil Melendez would make an amazing featherweight, but given the fact that he hasn’t cut down thus far in his career it is probably unlikely that it will ever happen. With most of the lightweight division booked up it appears Melendez will have to sit out on the sidelines for an extended period before returning to the cage.
Watch now, later, or never?
Never, this fight proved to be very underwhelming.