It has been a long time coming, but former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez and former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez have finally faced off in the cage. Both men, who have proven themselves to be elite-level talents fighting outside the UFC, desperately needed the win to cement their place in the Octagon’s deepest division, but only one would remain in the thick of contention.
It was an entertaining, back-and-forth fight where both men showed their all-around skills. There was technical boxing, crafty clinch work and slick wrestling. The result? A split decision in favor of Alvarez.
So what did we learn from the fight?
Eddie Alvarez is Absurdly Tough
Anybody that watched him in Bellator knows this. Alvarez is an inhumanly scrappy so-and-so.
Alvarez’s entire career has been defined by his ability to overcome early deficits. He did it against Michael Chandler. He did it against Patricky Freire. He did it against Joachim Hansen. Now, he did it against Gilbert Melendez.
Alvarez was battered and brutalized in the first round. It felt like a spirited loss was a foregone conclusion. Melendez was poised to coast to a win with his formidable striking.
Alvarez wouldn’t hear of it, though, and he dug deep and pulled off yet another come-from-behind win. He’s a special fighter, ladies and gentlemen, and fans should be grateful to see him each time he sets foot in the cage.
Gilbert Melendez’s Days as a Title Contender Are Likely Over
Melendez ranks among the greatest lightweights of all time. That isn’t really up for debate. That said, with how things have shaken out for him in the UFC, it is incredibly unlikely that the stars will align for another title run for El Nino.
Right now, Melendez is 1-3 in the UFC. He has losses to Ben Henderson, Anthony Pettis and Alvarez. He is 33 years old and, historically, you don’t see too many Dan Henderson- or Randy Couture-like runs under 185 pounds.
Melendez is still a top-10 fighter, and he should be regarded as one of the best fighters in the division’s history. Unfortunately, he will likely be on gatekeeper duty henceforth.
They’re Not Kidding About That “Don’t Blow a Broken Nose” Thing
It’s a topic that often comes up in combat sports. If your nose gets broken, do not try and blow it because it will cause your eyes to swell shut. While that seems simple enough, it’s not nearly as easy as it sounds, as Alvarez can attest to.
In the middle of the first round, Melendez landed a solid punch that likely resulted in a deviated septum. After the horn, Alvarez approached his corner and felt around his nose area. Literally within a few seconds, Alvarez’s eye swelled to the point where he couldn’t open it.
It was a profound transformation that happened live, on camera, and it’s one that shows how tricky a busted nose can be. The fact Alvarez could gut it out, make the adjustments and pull off a win is astounding.
What’s Next for Both Men?
This is a huge win for Alvarez, given his rough debut opposite Donald Cerrone. While it doesn’t let him cut the line and go directly into title contention, another impressive win over a top-10 opponent could set him up for a top contender bout.
Melendez slides back for sure, but there are many potential opponents for him. Name-brand youngsters like Myles Jury and Edson Barboza make sense. Though a fourth match with Josh Thomson also sounds pretty darn good.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com