PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Orlando Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zacharia Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steele has chosen Rock You Like A Hurricane as his entrance music. Zacharia Steele will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Melendez
vs
Steele

188 cm
26
179 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

176 cm
31
182 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orlando Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zacharia Steele!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Melendez shoots in and gets a takedown into Steele's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Melendez trying to control but Steele is working from the bottom.
Melendez tries to free his leg and advance position but Steele is retaining full guard.
Steele looking to control.
Steele is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melendez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steele swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Melendez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Melendez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Melendez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Steele has control of Melendez's left arm, preventing Melendez from doing any damage.

Melendez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Melendez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Melendez manages to get himself to full guard.

Melendez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Melendez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Steele gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Melendez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Steele defends well.

Melendez looking for a guillotine here but Steele defends easily.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Melendez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Melendez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Steele is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

Melendez looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Steele passes into half guard.
Melendez trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Melendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Melendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Melendez is breathing heavily.

Melendez actively working from the bottom here.
Steele controlling the action here.
Melendez pushes Steele off looking to stand but Steele dives back in and keeps control.
Well, if Steele is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Steele prevents Melendez from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melendez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Melendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Melendez tries to get to full guard but Steele has control of the leg.
Steele is controlling the pace.
Melendez tries to get to full guard but Steele has control of the leg.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steele works his foot free and advances to mount.
Steele manages to capitalize on a mistake by Melendez to take his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orlando Melendez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Melendez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steele's waist but Steele gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Melendez off to one side.

Steele looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Melendez looking for submissions off his back.

Steele is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Melendez looking for submissions off his back.
Steele passes to full mount!
Steele looking to control but Melendez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez is wriggling around trying to escape.
Melendez regains half guard.
Steele trying to mount his opponent but Melendez defends it.

Steele is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Melendez gets full guard.

Melendez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Melendez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Steele trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Orlando Melendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melendez throws his legs up looking for a submission but Steele uses it to pass to side control.
Melendez is looking to reverse the position.
Melendez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Steele is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Melendez is just riding it out for now. Steele eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melendez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Steele passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Melendez!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele scoring with strikes but Melendez is staying in there.
Melendez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Steele looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Melendez is working to get back to half guard.
Melendez tries to hold on but Steele postures up.
Steele looking to ground and pound but Melendez is blocking nicely.
Steele avoids the attempt from Melendez to control.
Melendez is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steele wants to finish this one by submission but Melendez is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Steele.
Steele trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Melendez is working to get back to half guard.
Melendez wants to control but Steele is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez is wriggling around trying to escape.
Melendez tries to hold on but Steele postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zacharia Steele will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Steele looks for the body kick but Melendez saw that one coming.
Steele lands with a slapping head kick.
Steele throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steele tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Melendez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Steele is looking to clinch.
Steele throws a head kick that misses.
Steele throws a body kick that misses.
Zacharia Steele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steele swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Steele gets a double leg takedown into Melendez's guard.
Steele takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Melendez wants to sweep here but Steele controlling him for the moment.

Steele got a little sloppy there for a moment and Melendez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Steele has managed to get both his arms back between Melendez's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melendez is looking for a triangle but Steele pushes his legs off easily.

Melendez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Steele doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Melendez is tightening it up a little... Steele has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Steele reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Steele taps out! Nice BJJ there by Melendez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Orlando Melendez!