PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zeta Knox (ranked 255 p4p, 210 weight class) and Zheko Melondov (ranked 16 p4p, 14 weight class). Knox's entrance music is Five Finger Death Punch | Bad Company . A fine choice. Melondov has chosen Exploration of Space by Cosmic Gate as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Knox
vs
Melondov

205 cm
41
289
41 - 27 - 0

200 cm
36
265
42 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 41 - 27 - 0, fighting out of London, Zeta Knox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 42 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Zheko Melondov!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Knox does no damage.
Melondov flicks out a counter leg kick but Knox steps away.
Melondov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knox.
Knox lands a slapping body shot.
Knox uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Melondov.
Knox blocks a low kick nicely.
The fighters circling - Melondov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Knox was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Melondov moves in looking to clinch but Knox pushes him off.
Knox is looking to counter punch.
Melondov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Melondov throws a hook to the side of Knox's head but Knox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Melondov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

It looks like Zheko Melondov has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melondov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Knox. Knox circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

It looks like Zeta Knox has been cut.
Melondov wants to clinch
and Knox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Melondov misses with a right hand
and Knox counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox throws a poor cross that misses
and Melondov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Melondov thows a leg kick but Knox checks it
and Knox counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Knox lands a jab to the nose.
Knox uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Melondov.
A little feinted left hand from Knox on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Knox swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zheko Melondov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knox takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Knox ducks under a wild hook from Melondov.
Melondov moves out of range of the strikes.
Melondov works the jab nicely.

Knox cracks Melondov with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Knox has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Melondov to stand back up!
Melondov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knox avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A quick step to the side and Knox tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Melondov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Knox is rocked!
Melondov cracks Knox on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Knox falls backwards against the cage. Melondov follows up with more strikes that drop Knox to his knees. Melondov keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Knox! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Zheko Melondov!
Zheko Melondov thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Zeta Knox spoke after the fight, saying '"If you haven't lost in this sport, you haven't fought the right guys yet." (Matt Hughes) '.