Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez left it all in the octagon Saturday night at UFC 188. While their long awaited bout wasn’t the “fight of the year” critics thought it would be, Alvarez and Melendez showed a ton of fighting spirit in the second and third rounds that brought the crowd to their feet.
Melendez clearly won the opening round, which all of the judges agreed with, but Alvarez bounced back in the second and it could be argued that he won the round. Walking into the judges’ decision after the fifteen minutes passed, fans in attendance expected Melendez to have his hands raised. However, the judges felt Alvarez did enough to secure the decision victory! Check out fighter’s reactions to the decision below.
Gil was robbed #ufc188mexico
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) June 14, 2015
Eddie is SUPER TOUGH…that elbow Gil threw broke his face.#ufc188
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) June 14, 2015
Eddie by being a TUF SOB! #UFC188 surprised it was even a split! @UFC
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 14, 2015
Alvarez has renewed confidence in his take downs. He scores his second, early in the third round. Still, Melendez back up. #UFC188
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) June 14, 2015
Melendez is exhausted!!! #UFC188
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 14, 2015
Man. I wish Eddies eye wasn't swollen like this. Happening so early changed the complexion of this fight IMO. Hes still doing well #UFC188
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 14, 2015
WOW. That sucks.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) June 14, 2015
Great fight @GilbertMelendez way to show heart. #MexiCan
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) June 14, 2015
Alvarez wins a shocking split decision by scores of 29-28 (twice) and 28-29. #UFC188
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) June 14, 2015
Thought the judges made the right call there. It was close but thought Alvarez won last two rounds. Amazing heart by Eddie. #UFC188
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 14, 2015
Who do you think should have won? Would you like to see a rematch, or should both fighters simply move on? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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