PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocco Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ukko Pekka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Melendez
vs
Pekka

209 cm
19
249 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

210 cm
24
270 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Malicious Intent Fight Gear - The Pit Inc
[JMFC] Blueprint Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rocco Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ukko Pekka!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pekka throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Melendez was covering up waiting for the punch and Pekka finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Melendez manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Melendez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Melendez throwing strikes here but Pekka is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Melendez prevents Pekka from getting the reversal.
Melendez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Melendez tries to control but Pekka wriggling away.
Pekka really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Melendez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Melendez landing strikes from the mount.
Pekka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pekka is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Melendez lands with some strikes.
Pekka really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Melendez scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Melendez prevents Pekka from getting the reversal.
Pekka is trying to stand.
Melendez content just to control the position here.
Melendez trying to control but Pekka is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Rocco Melendez just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Pekka throws a body punch but Melendez moves out of range.
Melendez tries to close the distance and clinch but Pekka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pekka doesn't manage to clinch there - Melendez circles away.
Horrible takedown by Melendez or perhaps it was just good defense by Pekka which made him look bad.
Melendez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pekka misses with a takedown attempt - Melendez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Pekka rushes Melendez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Pekka breaks the clinch.

Pekka gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Melendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Pekka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez controlling from the top position.
Pekka looking for a sweep. Not yet Pekka, not yet.
Melendez throwing strikes from guard but Pekka blocks nicely.
Melendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Pekka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pekka keeping full guard, as Melendez tries to pass.
Melendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Pekka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice uppercut lands for Pekka. That snapped Melendez's head back.

It looks like Rocco Melendez has been cut.

Melendez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Melendez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pekka keeps working.
Pekka is looking for a sweep.
A lull in the action here as Melendez stalls from top position.
Melendez trying to control the action but Pekka is working from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Pekka is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Melendez trying to control the position but Pekka is working away.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pekka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ukko Pekka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pekka shoots in for a double leg but Melendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rocco Melendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ukko Pekka.
Pekka shoots and misses
and Melendez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pekka looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Melendez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Melendez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pekka defends it well.
Melendez trying to mount his opponent but Pekka defends it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is trying to control. Pekka wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Melendez stalling.
Melendez is trying to control. Pekka wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pekka tries to kick Melendez off but Melendez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pekka is not content to let Melendez control the position.
Pekka is looking for a sweep. Melendez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pekka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Melendez.

Pekka rushes Melendez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Melendez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pekka gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Melendez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Melendez goes for a takedown attempt but Pekka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pekka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pekka throws the left hand but Melendez avoids the punch easily.
Melendez staying out of range there.
Pekka clinches but Melendez breaks the clinch

and Melendez counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Melendez prevents Pekka from improving his position.
Melendez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Pekka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pekka.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Melendez looking to pass the guard.
Melendez is working hard here to advance position.
Pekka can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Melendez controls the pace.

Melendez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melendez stops Pekka from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Melendez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rocco Melendez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pekka tries for a takedown but Melendez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Melendez gets a clinch.
Melendez is working for takedown but Pekka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pekka is looking to break free of the clinch but Melendez has double underhooks.
Pekka is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Melendez is keeping busy.
Melendez wants a takedown but no success here.
Melendez wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rocco Melendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Come on Melendez - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Melendez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Melendez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Pekka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pekka throws and low kick but Melendez moves out of range easily.

Pekka shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Pekka was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Melendez here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pekka wants to stand but Melendez is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Melendez is looking to improve his position but Pekka isn't that keen on the idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pekka is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Melendez can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Pekka jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Melendez manages to avoid the submission attempt.
You can see the frustration on Melendez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Melendez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Pekka is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Pekka tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Melendez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pekka tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Melendez fails with the takedown.
Melendez avoids the body shot from Pekka.
Melendez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Melendez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Pekka is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Melendez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Melendez's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pekka patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Melendez manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pekka's guard. Nice work there by Melendez.

Pekka has his foot on Melendez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Melendez works his way back into a safe position though.

Melendez stands up and waves to Pekka to follow him.
Melendez leaves Pekka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Melendez lands a nice shot to the body.
Melendez tries to clinch but Pekka is having none of it.
Pekka gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Melendez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Melendez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Melendez lands in his opponent's guard.
Pekka wants to get back to his feet but Melendez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Melendez stays in close to Pekka's body and controls the position.
Melendez trying to control but Pekka is working from the bottom.

Pekka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Melendez defends well.
Melendez advances to half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Melendez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Pekka wants to get back to his feet.
Melendez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Melendez stops Pekka from getting back to his feet.
Melendez prevents Pekka from improving his position.
Pekka is not content to let Melendez control the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Melendez drops an elbow to the side of Pekka's head.
Melendez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pekka knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Melendez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Pekka looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pekka tries to kick Melendez off but Melendez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Melendez rushes Pekka and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Melendez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pekka gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Melendez looking for a takedown.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Melendez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pekka smiles and moves away.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.

Melendez tries to keep at a distance but Pekka has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pekka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pekka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pekka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A big right from Pekka misses.

Pekka pushes Melendez up against the cage in a clinch.
Pekka stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Melendez is working for takedown but Pekka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pekka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Melendez is defending well for now.
Melendez looking for a takedown.

Pekka lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Rocco Melendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Pekka decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Pekka tries to clinch up but Melendez circles away and keeps his distance.
Pekka tries to clinch there but Melendez circles away.
Pekka misses with a takedown
and Melendez counters with an outside leg kick.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pekka tries to bum rush Melendez with a series of wild strikes but Melendez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Melendez shoots in for a double leg but Pekka sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Melendez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Pekka gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pekka wants to stand up but Melendez is controlling him.

Pekka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Melendez defends well.
Melendez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rocco Melendez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rocco Melendez's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Melendez dives in and grabs Pekka's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pekka pushes down on Melendez's head and hops out.
Melendez shoots for a takedown but Pekka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pekka looks for a takedown but Melendez sprawls well.

Pekka darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Melendez looking for submissions off his back.
Melendez trying to control from the bottom.
Melendez tries to get to full guard but Pekka has control of the leg.

Pekka stands up and beckons Melendez to join him on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekka shoots in and drives through. Melendez sprawls well.
Pekka misses with a takedown attempt

and Melendez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rocco Melendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ukko Pekka.

Melendez stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Melendez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Melendez feints and as Pekka raises his hands in defense, Melendez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pekka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Melendez is one step ahead there.
Melendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Pekka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pekka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Melendez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Melendez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melendez slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pekka defending well though.
Pekka tries to get to full guard but Melendez has control of the leg.
Pekka wants to get back to his feet.
Melendez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez works his way into side control.
Pekka is looking for a sweep.

Melendez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pekka knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Melendez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pekka keeps working.
Pekka tries to improve position but can't.
An elbow from Melendez crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Melendez passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Pekka!
Melendez controlling from the full mount.
Pekka keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Melendez is landing with some decent strikes but Pekka is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Melendez tries to control but Pekka wriggling away.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Melendez controlling his opponent.
Pekka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Melendez controlling from mount.
Pekka working to try and regain half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Melendez wants to control the pace but Pekka is squirming around nicely.
Melendez controlling the position easily from mount.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Rocco Melendez just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Melendez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Pekka to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Melendez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pekka is one step ahead there.
Pekka looking to pass the guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Pekka would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Melendez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pekka!
Melendez controlling from mount.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Melendez punishing his opponent with strikes.
Melendez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Melendez trying to control but Pekka is having none of it.
Melendez controlling his opponent.
Pekka is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Melendez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Melendez wants to control the pace but Pekka is squirming around nicely.
Pekka is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ukko Pekka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Melendez controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocco Melendez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Melendez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Rocco Melendez!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Rocco Melendez!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Rocco Melendez!

Rocco Melendez wins by unanimous decision!