PHOTO | Here’s what Gilbert Melendez’s leg looks like a day after his war with Jeremy Stephens

On Saturday night, the UFC touched down in the Canadian combat sports hotspot of Edmonton, Alberta. One of the most compelling features of the UFC 215 main card – at least from an entertainment standpoint – was a featherweight scrap between former Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez and long-time featherweight contender Jeremy Stephens.

The fight delivered just as we all hoped it would, earning both men $50,000 Fight of the Night checks. Unfortunately for Melendez, it’s not a fight he’s going to forget anytime soon. Early on in the contest, he began absorbing crackling leg kicks from Stephens. These kicks quickly damaged his legs, causing him to fall on several occasions – though he always returned to his feet, demonstrating all the heart and toughness he and his training partners are known for.

While Melendez survived till the final bell, losing a decision, he’s probably not going to be walking normally for quite some time. Roughly a day out from fight night, his leg is looking bruised and swollen.

On Sunday, his wife, fellow fighter Keri Melendez, shared some pictures of the battered limb, and it does not look good. Luckily, she also assured there is no major damage, and that he should recover soon.

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

“Everyone is asking about Gilbert’s leg,” Keri said in her first post. “Here is a pic today. He is doing A ok. Thank you to all for the support. We feel the love.”

@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

“[Gilbert Melendez] is a soldier,” she said in her second Tweet. “He’s gonna heal up quick. Thankful there is no knee damage. Again, we thank everyone for the messages.”

With this loss, Gilbert Melendez is now on a four-fight skid, having recently come up short to to Anthony Pettis, Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza and now Stephens.

Who do you want to see Gilbert Melendez fight when his leg is healed up?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 9/10/2017.