Five years is the amount of time the mixed martial arts (MMA) world waited to see elite lightweight fighters Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez slug it out. Last night (Sat., Jun. 13, 2015), inside the Arena Ciudad in Mexico City, Mexico at UFC 188, that happened, albeit with hesitation and some unfortunate bumps and bruises.
Fight fans expecting to witness a bout reminiscent of "El Nino's" war at UFC 166 with perennial tough guy Diego Sanchez were left underwhelmed. Instead, fans in attendance and those watching around the world on pay-per-view (PPV) witnessed a dramatic turn of events and a gutsy performance by Alvarez.
In the fight's early going, the 31-year-old Blackzilian powerhouse appeared gun-shy, barely offering up anything resembling a punch or kick. The former Strikeforce Lightweight champion Melendez hit the first home run shot of the bout, landing a flush right hook to the noggin of Alvarez, changing the complexion of the tilt -- and Alvarez's face -- as he fell further into his defensive shell.
He landed a total of eight strikes in the first round.
After his eye swelled up in between rounds -- his mangled nose partially to blame -- Alvarez gathered his wits about him and made an impact on this ever important 155-pound tilt. Memorable moments were to be had in the second frame for the Puerto Rican power puncher.
Alvarez crushed a left hook into the face of the Skrap Pack general 60 seconds into the round. He pushed the pace more, in an effort to get on the scorecards and even the fight at one round-a-piece. Later on in the fight, Alvarez recorded multiple takedowns, as well as a spinning back elbow, which was enough for the judges to award him the split-decision victory.
"I would have liked to open up a little more than I did at the beginning, but he shut my eye with the elbow," Alvarez told UFC commentator Joe Rogan. "At end of first, I got the takedown, I thought, he's not that strong here."
He is now 1-1 in the UFC, while Melendez drops to 1-3.
Following his incredible comeback, Alvarez was transported and unable to talk with media. He was not present at the post-fight presser.
The win, not the most crowd pleasing, will not likely garner a bonus check and although the 'W' came with a price, the means in which he achieved it are all too familiar to Alvarez. He, just like the man he shared the Octagon with, has been through two of the most intense, knock down, drag-em-out battles in MMA history.
Alvarez's wars with Michael Chandler in Bellator need no introduction. He fought back, even when badly hurt, with the same gas tank he started each fight with. As much of a cliche it is, hitting Alvarez only makes the dude stronger. He has no quit.
Coming into the meeting with "El Nino," Alvarez was ranked No. 9 in the UFC lightweight division. With a win over the No. 4 fighter Melendez in his back pocket, he is likely to draw another top name in the division.
Fighter's that come to mind are recently injured stalwarts Benson Henderson and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Either is a suitable name and a difficult challenge for the two-time Bellator champ.
"The Eagle" eyes an October return to the cage following May knee surgery and is undefeated in his MMA career. His smashmouth game plan would make for a nice compliment to Alvarez's usual routine of high-energy brawling.
"Smooth" has not won a fight at lightweight in over a year, but recently picked up his own comeback win at 170 pounds over Brandon Thatch in February. A bout with Alvarez and Henderson is contingent on the latter's desire to continue fighting at 155 pounds.
Dustin Poirier, a lightweight with a renewed focus and winning streak, is another potential candidate for Alvarez. The perennial UFC contender and fan favorite has notched two, first-round stoppages in 2015. He threw his hat into the ring, somewhat, on Twitter during the PPV broadcast.
So what will it be, Maniacs? Does Alvarez tangle with Henderson or Nurmagomedov later this year? Perhaps the UFC decides to slot him against the surging Poirier?