Melendez (left) and Alvarez (right) have already held lightweight belts outside of Ultimate. Photo: Disclosure
A few years ago, Gilbert Melendez, former champion of the now defunct Strikeforce, and Eddie Alvarez, former holder of the Bellator belt, were two of the main lightweights outside the Octagon. Now, the pair will face each other in the co-main fight of UFC 188, on June 13, in Mexico.
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In addition to their Latin ancestry, which favors their appeal to the Mexican public, the duo also has a history of disagreements and challenges. A few years ago, Alvarez approached the directors of Bellator and Strikeforce and, in order to face Melendez, proposed a superfight between champions of the two organizations.
The duel, however, never got off the ground due to negotiation problems between the two events. Now, with both already in Ultimate, it was Melendez's turn, who recently challenged for the lightweight title and was defeated by Anthony Pettis, come forward and challenge Alvarez. This time, with far fewer obstacles ahead, the fight finally took place.
At 31 years old, Eddie Alvarez has a professional record of 24 wins and just five losses. After a soap opera that dragged on for months, Alvarez finally left Bellator for Ultimate, but started on the wrong foot in the new organization, being defeated by Donald Cerrone in September last year.
Gilbert Melendez, 32 years old, has a record of 22 wins and four losses. The former Strikeforce champion moved to the UFC in 2013 and had just three fights for the organization, two of which were worth the belt. “El Niño”, as it is known, however, was defeated by both Ben henderson how much for Anthony Pettis. His only victory in the octagon came in September 2013, when he beat Diego Sanchez.
UFC 188 takes place on March 13, at Arena Ciudad de Mexico, in Mexico City (Mexico). The main fight of the night marks the unification of the interim and linear heavyweight belts between the Brazilian Fabricio Werdum and North American of Mexican descent Cain Velazquez.
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