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35-year-old MMA veteran Gilbert Melendez made his first appearance in the UFC featherweight division on Saturday night at UFC 215 in Edmonton.
His opponent Jeremy Stephens repeatedly and relentlessly attacked Melendez’s left leg with vicious kicks that more than once sent Melendez to the canvas in obvious pain. Amazingly, despite being severely hurt, Melendez fought through the pain, switching stances and ending up going the entire distance.
Stephens ended up winning the fight by unanimous decision, but anyone who watched the fight could not feel anything but respect for the heart and will Melendez, a former Strikeforce and WEC lightweight champion, showed throughout. Including UFC President Dana White…
Much respect @GilbertMelendez u are a tough SOB!!!!!!!!!
— danawhite (@danawhite) September 10, 2017
The day after the fight, Melendez’s wife Keri Melendez, who herself fights for Bellator, posted a couple of photos of Gilbert’s heavily damaged leg, saying, “Hey All. Everyone is asking about Gilbert’s leg. Here is a pic today. He is doing A ok. Thank you to all for the support. We feel the love.”
As well as, “@GilbertMelendez ‘s a soldier. He’s gonna heal up quick. Thankful there is no knee damage. Again, we thank everyone for the messages.”
And while Melendez’s leg looked like about 800 levels of NOPE, at least he earned a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus for his effort.
Continue scrolling down at your own peril…
Hey All. Everyone is asking about Gilbert's leg. Here is a pic today. He is doing A ok. Thank you to all for the support. We feel the love pic.twitter.com/VQpNj7JlTO
— KeriMelendez (@KeriMelendez415) September 11, 2017
@GilbertMelendez 's a soldier. He's gonna heal up quick. Thankful there is no knee damage. Again, we thank everyone for the messages ❤ pic.twitter.com/309nZAO6JL
— KeriMelendez (@KeriMelendez415) September 11, 2017
H/T Bloody Elbow