Melendez doing ‘AOK’ but his leg not so much
Keri Taylor-Melendez: “Gilbert Melendez is a soldier. He’s gonna heal up quick. Thankful there is no knee damage. Again, we thank everyone for the messages.”
UFC 1 demonstrated that Jiu-Jitsu works. UFC 215 demonstrated that Calf Kicks work. In the first fight on the main card, Jeremy Stephens took advantage of Gil Melendez’ upright striking stance, and battered his lead leg mercilessly.
Attacking the leg early@LilHeathenMMA #UFC215 pic.twitter.com/SYqH8rr77e
— UFC (@ufc) September 10, 2017
Melendez has been fighting since 2002 and has never been stopped by KO or TKO, but the damage was such that after Round 2 he wanted to quit.
I think I’m done bro, he said in his corner.
His team wasn’t having it.
“You can do any f***ing thing for five minutes,” Melendez was told. And he did. Gil Melendez has still never been stopped by strikes.
His wife Keri Taylor-Melendez, who is herself a fighter with competitive experience in Muay Thai and MMA, reports that he sustained no joint damage.
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
In the end, Gilbert Melendez shifted, fell, and rose, shifted, fell, and rose and endured. UFC president Dana White spoke for the sport.
Much respect @GilbertMelendez u are a tough SOB!!!!!!!!!
— danawhite (@danawhite) September 10, 2017
And above all, respect to Jeremy Stevens for carrying out a game plan that beat the odds, won the night, and will have a significant effect on the play of the game going forward.
