This is the UFC 188 live blog for Gilbert Melendez vs. Eddie Alvarez, a lightweight bout at Saturday night’s UFC event at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico.
Melendez, who has won three of his past five fights, will face Alvarez, who also has won three of his past five fights, on the main card.
Check out the UFC 188 live blog below.
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Round 1: Alvarez takes center, but Melendez hasn’t ceded much territory. Melendez now with a series of jabs. Two hard overhand rights for Melendez rock Alvarez badly. Alvarez hangs on, although he eats a jab as well. Another right hand from Melendez finds the mark and Alvarez isn’t really throwing. Good outside leg kick from Alvarez, but he eats another jab for his efforts. Decent body kick now from Alvarez as well. As the round ends, Alvarez’s left eye is badly swollen.
MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Melendez
Round 2: Alvarez scores first in the second with a right hand, but his left eye is seemingly swollen shut. The replay from the first round showed it was an overhand elbow. Alvarez in on the takedown against the fence, but Melendez is digging underhooks. The fight is temporarily halted from a low blow, but is quickly restarted. Good outside leg kick from Alvarez lands again. Takedown attempt from Melendez goes nowhere. Melendez eats another and is in on a single, but Melendez stuffs it right away. Finally Alvarez gets him down, but Melendez gets to his base and then to his feet. Spinning back elbow lands on Melendez before the bell.
MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Alvarez
Round 3: Alvarez is in on the double and gets in, but Melendez stands. The two trade punches in the center with Alvarez eating a jab, but throwing an overhand right. Alvarez scores with an outside leg kick and attempts a double, but is stuffed against the fence. This time Alvarez gets the takedown and Melendez stands, but not quite as fast. They separate with about a minute left. Melendez is a little more active, but not hitting much. Spinning back elbow from Alvarez partially lands and Melendez is bleeding.
MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Alvarez and the fight 29-28 Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez def. Gilbert Melendez via split decision (29-28 Alvarez, 29-28 Melendez, 29-28 Alvarez)