A lightweight scrap between Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez has been booked as the co-main event of UFC 188 in Mexico City on June 13th.
These two have had an interest in fighting each other for a number of years dating back to a time when Melendez was Strikeforce’s 155lb champion and Alvarez was the kingpin of Bellator’s lightweight division.
They aren’t faring quite so well at the moment with each looking to rebound after a recent loss. For Melendez that came in an unsuccessful attempt to take the title from Anthony Pettis back in December, losing out by a second round guillotine choke submission.
Melendez had been having some success with a pressure-based gameplan up to that point though and the current No.4 ranked lightweight will no doubt still be eager to work his way towards a rematch as soon as possible.
Alvarez came unstuck in his Octagon debut at UFC 178 last September, coming out on the wrong end of a unanimous decision verdict against Donald Cerrone that snapped a three fight winning streak.
While both men were born and raised in the U.S, Melendez, nicknamed ‘El Nino’ is of Mexican descent so fighting in Mexico will be a dream come true for him, whereas Alvarez has roots in Puerto Rico.
It was announced yesterday that UFC 188 will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, while a woman’s strawweight fight featuring TUF 20 competitors Tecia Torres and Angela Hill has also been added to the card.
