Barboza spoils Melendez's return with UD victory

UFC lightweights take note: A focused Edson Barboza is a dangerous proposition.

Barboza earned a unanimous-decision victory over Gilbert Melendez, spoiling "El Nino"s return from a year-long suspension. The Brazilian wasted no time throwing leg kick upon leg kick, causing serious damage to Melendez's left leg and thereby diminishing his punching power.

Melendez could not lean on his left leg after a handful of Barboza's patented kicks landed, and kept his striking limited to his fists. The former Strikeforce champ did have some success in several boxing exchanges, but Barboza's more calculating kicks did far too much damage and any takedown attempts were easily stuffed.

Barboza now has consecutive victories over two of the greatest lightweights in the history of the sport in Melendez and Anthony Pettis. He's learned to pick his shots, and training with Frankie Edgar and Eddie Alvarez certainly doesn't hurt. The victory should put him one or two wins away from title contention.

As for Melendez, the 34-year-old has now lost three in a row. As one of the elite lightweights of the last decade, his track record will likely keep him from getting released by the UFC, but now he faces an uphill battle in regaining his clout.