Alvarez sneaks by Melendez in co-main at UFC 188

Eddie Alvarez pulled victory from the jaws of defeat against Gilbert Melendez on Saturday night.

It wasn't the world destroying barn-burner everyone expected, but Alvarez survived an early first round blitz to take a split-decision victory over Melendez. Melendez dominated the opening round, landing a stiff jabs and massive elbows, rendering Alvarez's left eye useless with a vicious, perfectly-placed elbow (though it didn't balloon up until he blew his nose).

With his eye completely swollen shut, things looked dire for the former Bellator champion.

Somehow undaunted, Alvarez quite simply outworked Melendez over the final 10 minutes, landing multiple takedowns and generally controlling the pace on the feet, while Melendez looked completely gassed.