UFC 215 live blog: Jeremy Stephens vs. Gilbert Melendez

This is the UFC 215 live blog for Jeremy Stephens vs. Gilbert Melendez, a featherweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

Stephens, who has lost three of his past five fights, will square off against Melendez, who has lost four of his past five fights, on the main card.

Check out the UFC 215 live blog below.

Round 1: Alright, the opening fight of the pay-per-view card is up, and it’s a good one. The referee for this fight will be Jerin Valel. No glove touch here. Melendez takingthe outside of the canvas. Stephens lands a a solid straight right. Still feeling each other out here. Nice leg kick by Stephens. Another one. Melendez is not really throwing much. Melendez now pressuring Stephens. Stephens lands another leg kick. Melendez gets wobbled by a leg kick, he drops to his back. Stephens lets him back up. Melendez now moving forward looking to land a hard shot. Stephens drops Melendez with a leg kick. Stephens jumps in Melendez guard and begins to land heavy shots. The bell rings.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stephens.

Round 2: Melendez pressuring a lot, not looking to stay on range where he can get tagged with leg kicks. Melendez lands a nice knee. Melendez has switched stance. Stephens now kicking the other leg. Man, Stephens battering Melendez with powerful leg kicks. Melendez is a really having a hard time moving around the cage. Stephens mixing things up with the jab. Another leg kick drops Melendez to the canvas, but he gets back up. Melendez is a warrior, keeps moving forward. Melendez with a nice jab. One minute left. Stephens is bleeding from his eye brow. Big upper cut lands for Stephens, and then a leg kick that drops Melendez. The bell rings.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Stephens. Overall 20-17, Stephens.

Round 3: Tough position for Melendez. He probably needs a stoppage here. Melendez walking down Stephens. Stephens fighting with a lower output than usual, seems more patient. Again, Stephens lands another leg kick. Good jab by Stephens. Stephens now letting his hands go a little more, landing on Melendez. We’re half way through the round. Melendez unable to land significant shots. Stephens drops Melendez with a leg kick, but “El Niño” gets immediately back up. Nice knee by Melendez. Stephens walking down Melendez. Stephens rips the body with two hard hooks. Another leg kick forces Melendez to his back. Stephens jumps on him and gets half guard. Stephens finishes on top. Amazing performance.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Stephens. Overall 30-25, Stephens.

Official result: Jeremy Stephens def. Gilbert Melendez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)