PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnathon Caines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Caines's entrance music is Lose Yourself by Eminem. A fine choice. Johnathon Caines has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Caines
vs
Melendez

191 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
213 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnathon Caines!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Antonio Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Melendez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Caines moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab, jab by Melendez - just one landing.
Melendez works Caines's body with a nice hook.
A right-left combo lands from Melendez.
Caines is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Melendez stalks Caines and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Caines's face. Caines staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Johnathon Caines has been cut.
Caines is breathing heavily.
Melendez throws a series of strikes that have Caines backpedaling.
Melendez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melendez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Melendez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Melendez looks to land a combination. Caines sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Melendez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Caines takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Melendez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Melendez scores with a jab to the head.
Melendez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Caines's sensitive parts.
Melendez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Caines backs up against the cage.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Melendez!
Melendez lands a nice looking body shot.

Melendez drives through and clinches with Caines against the cage.
Melendez tries to break free but Caines pushes him back against the cage.
Caines has Melendez pressed against the cage, preventing Melendez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melendez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Melendez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Melendez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Melendez works Caines's body with a nice hook.
Melendez lands a two punch combo.
Caines takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Melendez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Caines takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Melendez throws a one two combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Melendez shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Caines's guard.
Melendez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Melendez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Caines looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Melendez lands a two punch combo.

Melendez clinches up against the cage.

Melendez breaks the clinch.
Nice body punch from Melendez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Melendez!
Danga de danga de dang - Melendez scores with a four punch combination!
Melendez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Melendez stalks Caines and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Caines's face. Caines staggers backwards, shaken.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Melendez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Melendez scores with a body shot.
Melendez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Caines chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Melendez can pounce on him.
Melendez closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Melendez stalks Caines and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Caines's face. Caines staggers backwards, shaken.
Melendez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Melendez ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Melendez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Caines avoids it really well and circles away.
Melendez moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Melendez scores with a four punch combination!
Melendez scores with a body shot.
Melendez throws a one two combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A left and a right from Melendez both land. Nice combination.
Melendez works over Caines's head and body with a nice combination.
Melendez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Melendez throws a one two combo.
The fighters circle momentarily. Melendez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Caines takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Melendez lands a jab-cross combination.
Melendez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Melendez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Caines has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Melendez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Caines backs up against the cage.

Melendez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Caines napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
You can see the frustration on Caines's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Melendez stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez thumps Caines with a low kick.
Melendez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Melendez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Danga de danga de dang - Melendez scores with a four punch combination!
Melendez lands with a nice combination. Caines backs away looking to recover.
Melendez is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Caines rather than just go for the knockout.
Melendez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Melendez scores with a four punch combination!
Melendez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Melendez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Caines takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Melendez closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Caines is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Melendez.
Melendez cracks the inside of Caines's front leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Melendez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnathon Caines's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Melendez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Melendez.
Melendez getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Melendez digs a good body shot into Caines's ribs.
Melendez tries to bum rush Caines with a series of wild strikes but Caines uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Melendez throws a one two combo.
Melendez throws a series of strikes that have Caines backpedaling.
Melendez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Melendez forces Caines back against the cage and clinches.
Caines prevents Melendez from breaking the clinch.
Caines is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Melendez has had enough of the clinch but Caines keeps him there for the moment.
Caines has Melendez pressed against the cage, preventing Melendez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Melendez has had enough of the clinch but Caines keeps him there for the moment.
Melendez is trying to break the clinch but Caines has him pressed against the cage.

Melendez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Melendez scores with a three punch combo!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Melendez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Melendez duly obliges.
Melendez lands a nice hook to Caines's body. Caines takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Melendez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Melendez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Melendez duly obliges.
Melendez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Melendez cracks Caines with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Melendez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Melendez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Caines sprawls well. Caines wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet.
Melendez lands a two punch combo.
Johnathon Caines is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Melendez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Melendez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Caines takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Caines takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Melendez tries to bum rush Caines with a series of wild strikes but Caines uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Melendez throws a one two combo.
Melendez keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Melendez is working the combinations to good effect here.
Melendez cracks Caines with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Melendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Caines swivels and escapes.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnathon Caines has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Melendez.
Melendez lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez throws a series of strikes that have Caines backpedaling.
Melendez lands a glancing blow to the side of Caines's head.
Melendez misses with a few strikes there.
Antonio Melendez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Melendez lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Melendez looks to land a combination. Caines sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Melendez clinches with his opponent.
Melendez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Caines has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Melendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Melendez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A right-left combo lands from Melendez.
Caines clinches but Melendez breaks the clinch
and Melendez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Melendez jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Left hook, right uppercut from Melendez.
Melendez jabs Caines right on the nose. Caines blinks but takes it well.
Melendez scores with a three punch combo!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good leg kick by Melendez there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caines misses with a takedown
and Melendez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Melendez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Caines backs up against the cage.
Melendez changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A nice combination there by Melendez.
Melendez scores with a body shot.
Melendez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Melendez lands a jab-cross combination.
Melendez closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Melendez stalks Caines and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Caines's face. Caines staggers backwards, shaken.
Melendez ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Melendez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Caines backs up against the cage.

Melendez moves into the clinch.
Melendez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Melendez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Melendez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Caines circles away quickly and effectively.
Melendez throws a one two combo.
Melendez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Melendez duly obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez looks to land a combination. Caines sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Melendez lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Melendez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Caines looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Caines can't do much from the bottom here.
Caines is trying to get back to his feet.
Melendez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Melendez stands up and we're back to a striking position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Melendez looks to land a combination. Caines sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Caines backs up against the cage.
Melendez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Caines. That did some damage!
Melendez throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Melendez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Johnathon Caines's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Caines takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Caines is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Melendez.
A right-left combo lands from Melendez.
Melendez lands a jab to Caines's midsection.
Melendez throws a combination. Caines tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Melendez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Melendez gets a takedown into half guard.
Melendez wants to stand but Caines has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Caines trying to control from the bottom.

Melendez stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Melendez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Melendez duly obliges.
Melendez misses with a head kick.
Caines is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Melendez.
Melendez scores with a jab to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Melendez!
Melendez throws a sloppy head kick and Caines moves out of range easily.
Melendez scores with a hook to the body. Caines takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Melendez throws a good cross that connects.

Melendez drives through with a takedown into guard.
Melendez tries to stand but Caines is controlling from the bottom.

Melendez stands up from Caines's guard - Melendez perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez throws a one two combo.
Melendez jabs at Caines's body.
Caines misses with a series of wild punches.
Melendez scores with a shot to the body.
Melendez scores with a three punch combo!
Melendez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Antonio Melendez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Melendez scores with a shot to the body.
Melendez lands a jab-cross combination.

Melendez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Melendez stands up and beckons Caines to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Caines throws a left and a right that both miss
and Melendez counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Melendez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Melendez duly obliges.
Melendez scores with a shot to the body.
Melendez misses with a wild combination.
Melendez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Johnathon Caines has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Caines stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Melendez.
Caines throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Melendez lands with a nice body punch.
Melendez connects with a body shot.
Melendez throws a one two combo.
Melendez lands with a nice combination. Caines backs away looking to recover.
A nice inside leg kick there by Melendez. That's going to slow Caines down.
Melendez stalks Caines and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Caines's face. Caines staggers backwards, shaken.
Melendez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Caines is fending him off so far but Melendez persists. Nope, Caines circles away and we're back to standing.
Caines throws an overhand right that lands on Melendez's shoulder, as Melendez tries to avoid the shot.
Melendez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Caines.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Caines takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Melendez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Caines's waist but Caines gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Melendez off to one side.
Melendez keeps the fight on the outside.
Melendez lands a jab-cross combination.

Melendez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Caines is pressing down on Melendez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Melendez wanted to stand there but Caines had control of the position.

Melendez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Caines has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Melendez has managed to get both his arms back between Caines's legs - danger averted.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Caines 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Melendez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Melendez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 25:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Melendez!