UFC 215 results: Vicious Jeremy Stephens low kicks destroy Gilbert Melendez

Gilbert Melendez (22-7 MMA, 1-5 UFC) once again proved his durability in the cage, but he’d probably just as soon forget all about his featherweight debut against Jeremy Stephens (26-14 MMA, 13-13 UFC).

The 145-pound bout was part of today’s UFC 215 main card, which took place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and aired on pay-per-view.

Stephens opened the contest with a powerful low kick as Melendez kept his hands high and looked to settle into a rhythm. Stephens was the aggressor to start, firing with the power you expect when he’s in the cage. Low kicks continued to score for Stephens, as well, though Melendez continued to move well on the outside. Stephens’ power was evident in the exchanges, though Melendez was content to try and trade. Stephens continued with the attacks to the leg, and a nasty welt developed just below the left knee. Melendez briefly toppled to the floor but quickly crawled back up and came forward with an all-out attack. Stephens survived the assault and went back to chopping the leg, and Melendez again was forced to the floor, where Stephens followed with strikes before the bell.

The doctor was called in to check the leg to start the second, but Melendez insisted he could continue, and the fight carried on. Stephens continued to tee off with powerful punches on the feet, and Melendez made sure to keep his damaged left leg as far away as possible from his opponent, moving forward in a southpaw stance. Despite the obvious pain, Melendez continued to walk forward in an incredible show of heart. Stephens’ eye and nose showed damage from Melendez’s attacks, but it was the nasty lead leg that was making the real difference in the fight. Each time Stephens could connect to the leg, Melendez immediately dropped to the floor.

Melendez was warned to defend himself at the start of the third by referee Jerin Valel, and he came out attacking to open the final frame. Still, Stephens appeared to have plenty left in the tank as he fired back with big shots on the feet. Melendez hobbled around on his one good leg, even earning admiration from his opponent after being dropped with another leg kick and simply rolling through and back to his feet, wobbling like a baby deer. Leg kicks sent Melendez to the floor twice more, with referee Valel seemingly wanting to step in but instead allowing the fight to see the final bell, where Stephens was awarded a clearcut decision win, 30-26, 30-26 and 30-25.

Stephens snaps a two-fight skid with the result, while Melendez has earned just one win in six trips to the UFC cage.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 215 results include:

• Jeremy Stephens def. Gilbert Melendez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
• Ketlen Vieira def. Sara McMann via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:16
• Sarah Moras def. Ashlee Evans-Smith via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:51
• Rick Glenn def. Gavin Tucker via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-24, 29-27)
• Alex White def. Mitch Clarke via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:36
• Arjan Bhullar def. Luis Henrique via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Kajan Johnson def. Adriano Martins via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 0:49

For more on UFC 215, visit the UFC Events section of the site.