PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Calogero Anello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melendez is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by El Coo Cooi . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Anello
vs
Melendez

178 cm
22
168 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

165 cm
23
169 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Calogero Anello!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez misses with a two punch combination.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Anello takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Melendez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anello lands a head shot.
Melendez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nice body kick from Anello.
Melendez scores with a one two! Anello had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Anello misses.
Anello throws a shot from downtown. Melendez moves away and avoids it.
Anello tries a head kick but it misses.
Melendez jabs at Anello's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anello checks the leg kick.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Anello lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Melendez at a distance.
Melendez scores with the left hand. Anello knows he should have avoided that one.
Anello cracks Melendez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Melendez moves away from the strike by Anello.
Melendez slips under a jab from Anello.
Anello throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez throws a leg kick but Anello checks it.
Melendez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Anello pinned against the cage. Anello gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Calogero Anello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Melendez.
Anello tries to land a front kick but Melendez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Anello gets caught napping as Melendez dives in and scores a takedown. Anello manages to retain guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Melendez trying to control but Anello is working from the bottom.
Melendez pushing down on Anello's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Melendez wants to advance to full mount but Anello doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Anello is keeping the position for now.
Melendez looking to sit in guard and control but Anello gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Anello trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Anello wants to pass the guard but Melendez is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is controlling Anello's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anello wants to stand but Melendez is controlling his posture from full guard.
Melendez looking for a sweep. Not yet Melendez, not yet.
Melendez looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Melendez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Anello sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Melendez scores with a jab. Anello acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Melendez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Melendez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Melendez looks for the body kick but Anello saw that one coming.
Xavier Melendez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick lands from Melendez.
Anello stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Anello wants it to stay on the feet.
Melendez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Melendez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Anello swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Melendez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Anello is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Melendez.
Xavier Melendez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Melendez misses with a body shot.
Anello throws a quick inside leg kick.
Melendez defending well as Anello loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Melendez scores with a takedown into Anello's guard.
Melendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Melendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Anello is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Anello looking for a sweep. Not yet Anello, not yet.
Melendez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anello has Melendez pulled in close to control his posture.
Melendez trying to move into half guard but instead Anello has managed to sweep!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez has his hands on Anello's head, controlling the position.
Melendez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Anello is one step ahead there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anello has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Melendez is proving hard to escape from.
Melendez pulls Anello in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Melendez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Anello misses its intended target.
Melendez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Anello.
Anello defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Melendez.

Melendez shoots in and gets a takedown into Anello's guard.
Melendez wants to pass the guard but Anello is keeping the position.
Melendez won't allow Anello to sweep him here.
Melendez tries to free his leg and advance position but Anello is retaining full guard.
Melendez wants to control from the top but Anello keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anello controls Melendez momentarily but Melendez frees himself.
Melendez is stalling in the full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Melendez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez throws a hook to the side of Anello's head but Anello sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A jab from Anello misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Melendez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Anello thows a body shot but no joy.
Melendez throws a head kick that misses.
Melendez moves out of range of the leg kick from Anello.
Melendez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Anello takes a swing at Melendez's ribcage but misses.
Melendez moves out of range of the body kick from Anello.
Anello lands a nice shot to the body.
Anello moves into range and connects with a jab.
Melendez tests Anello's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Anello lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Melendez at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anello uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Melendez.
Anello throws a nice outside leg kick.
Melendez slips under a jab from Anello.
Anello swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Anello takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Melendez misses the jab.
A big right from Anello misses.
Anello works Melendez's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez misses with an uppercut. Anello saw that one coming.
Melendez throws a hook but Anello blocks it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Anello darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
An inside leg kick lands from Anello.
Melendez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Melendez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Melendez staying out of range there.
Anello scores with a leg kick.
Anello ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Melendez moves away.
Melendez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown but Anello shows good takedown defense.
Melendez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Anello.
Melendez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Anello can pounce on him.
Melendez scores with a shot to the body.
Melendez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Anello keeps Melendez at a distance using the push kick.
A head kick misses from Melendez.
Anello lands an overhand right.
Anello lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez throws a leg kick but Anello sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Melendez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Anello looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Anello on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Melendez. Melendez obviously looking to wear him down.
Melendez defending well as Anello loads up on a big left hand.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Anello.
Nice defenses there by Melendez.
A jab from Anello finds it's way through Melendez's defenses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anello lands a two punch combo.
Anello lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Calogero Anello clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Anello loads up on a big right hand but Melendez slips the punch.
Melendez throws a right hand that Anello ducks under and follows up with a left that Anello also avoids with ease.
Calogero Anello seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Anello.
A head kick by Melendez misses
enabling Anello to counter with a crisp jab.
Anello avoids a punch combination nicely.
Melendez thows a body shot but no joy.
Anello avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Anello looks to land a combination but Melendez avoids it well.
Anello is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Anello misses with the body kick
letting Melendez counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anello gets caught napping as Melendez dives in and scores a takedown. Anello manages to retain guard.
Melendez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Anello is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Anello keeping full guard, as Melendez tries to pass.
Anello is pulling down on Melendez's head to control his posture.
Melendez trying to control but Anello is working from the bottom.
Anello will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Melendez won't allow Anello to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Calogero Anello wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Melendez throws a body punch but Anello moves out of range.
Melendez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Anello moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Anello scores with a shot to the body.
Anello pivots, looking for a leg kick but Melendez is out of range and Anello settles back down.
Melendez throws a body punch but Anello moves out of range.
Melendez moves out of range of the strikes.
Melendez throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Anello counters with an inside leg kick.
Calogero Anello is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Melendez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Anello.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez misses with a hook.
Melendez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A leg kick checked by Melendez.
Melendez scores with a hook.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Anello but Anello pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Melendez shoots in and drives through. Anello sprawls well.
Anello feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Melendez's calf.
Anello connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anello keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Melendez throws the left hand but Anello avoids the punch easily.
Anello misses with a looping left.
Good leg kick by Anello there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Melendez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Anello wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anello wants to get back to his feet but Melendez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Melendez wants to pass the guard but Anello is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Xavier Melendez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab from Anello finds it's way through Melendez's defenses.
Melendez throws an overhand right that lands on Anello's shoulder, as Anello tries to avoid the shot.
Melendez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Melendez takes a swing at Anello's ribcage but misses.
Anello pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Melendez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Melendez takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Anello swivels and escapes.
Melendez moves forwards but Anello connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Melendez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Anello throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Anello tries a head kick but it misses.
Anello lands a nice shot to the body.
Anello lands with a kick to the temple. Melendez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
That kick from Anello tenderised Melendez's leg. Melendez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Anello throws the left hand but Melendez avoids the punch easily.
Melendez fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Anello is out of range.
Calogero Anello has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xavier Melendez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez misses with a head kick.
Anello with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A punch lands to the side of Anello 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Melendez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Melendez lands with a hook. Anello tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Anello misses with a looping left.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Melendez checks a leg kick.
Anello moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Melendez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Anello doesn't seem phased though.
Anello throws the left hand but Melendez avoids the punch easily.
Anello connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Anello is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Melendez.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Melendez throws a leg kick which misses Anello's front leg but catches the back leg as Anello tries to avoid it.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Calogero Anello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Melendez.
Melendez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Anello.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anello pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Melendez scores with a nice right hand.
Anello scores with a shot to the body.
Anello thumps Melendez with a low kick.
Anello looks to land a right hand but Melendez moved out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Melendez throws a body kick the misses
and Anello counters with a stiff right hand.
Anello throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Calogero Anello showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Melendez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Melendez!
Xavier Melendez is the new lightweight champion!