PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Artem Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rod Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivanov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Mad World. Melendez comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bad Company kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Artem Ivanov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Ivanov
vs
Melendez

175 cm
29
150 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

170 cm
28
145 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Artem Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rod Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov shoots and misses

and Melendez counters with a takedown into side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ivanov stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Ivanov is trying to control Melendez's posture but Melendez avoids it.
Ivanov prevents Melendez from improving position.
Ivanov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melendez in the domination position with Ivanov hanging on.
Ivanov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ivanov gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov is controlling Melendez's position as best he can from this difficult position.

We're going to have a standup here because Artem Ivanov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Ivanov scores with a jab. Melendez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Artem Ivanov.
Ivanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Melendez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov shoots in for a double leg but Melendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Melendez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown. Melendez tries to sprawl out of it but Ivanov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Melendez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Melendez defending well as Ivanov loads up on a big left hand.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Ivanov fails to land the takedown.
Melendez cracks the inside of Ivanov's front leg.
Melendez stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez stalks Ivanov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ivanov's face. Ivanov staggers backwards, shaken.
Ivanov has a takedown stuffed.
Ivanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Melendez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ivanov somewhat.
Melendez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ivanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Melendez misses with a wild combination.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ivanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Melendez looks to land a combination. Ivanov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez slips a straight right by Ivanov.
Ivanov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Melendez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ivanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Melendez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ivanov is trying to defend but Melendez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ivanov wants to get back to full guard.
Melendez is thwarting Ivanov's attempts to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Melendez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ivanov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov is looking to control Melendez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ivanov avoid being mounted?
Ivanov is doing well to control the position and prevent Melendez from advancing to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Artem Ivanov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ivanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Melendez closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ivanov counters with a straight right hand.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Melendez but Melendez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Melendez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Artem Ivanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Melendez dives in and grabs Ivanov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ivanov pushes down on Melendez's head and hops out.
Artem Ivanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ivanov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ivanov shoots in for a double leg but Melendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Melendez walks into a stiff left hand from Ivanov.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Melendez is looking to clinch.
Melendez looks to land a combination. Ivanov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ivanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Melendez tries to avoid it but Ivanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Melendez to the ground. Melendez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt

and Melendez counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Melendez prevents Ivanov from improving his position.
Ivanov is positioning himself well to prevent Melendez advancing to mount.
Melendez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Melendez working over Ivanov with some ground and pound. Ivanov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ivanov is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Ivanov gets full guard.
Ivanov is adopting a defensive guard.
Melendez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ivanov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Melendez!

Ivanov looking to secure an arm triangle but Melendez defends it well.

Ivanov looking to secure an arm triangle but Melendez defends it well.
Ivanov raining down shots from the mount!

Ivanov 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivanov lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Ivanov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Ivanov looking for a guillotine from mount but Melendez is having none of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanov raining down hammerfists from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ivanov looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Ivanov controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Ivanov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown. Melendez tries to sprawl out of it but Ivanov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Melendez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Melendez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ivanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ivanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Melendez tries to avoid it but Ivanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Melendez to the ground. Melendez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ivanov throws a combination. Melendez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown but Melendez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ivanov shoots and misses
and Melendez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Melendez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Melendez gets the takedown into side control.
Ivanov is trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Ivanov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Artem Ivanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivanov throws Melendez to one side and escapes!
Melendez fails to land with a series of punches.
Artem Ivanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Horrible takedown by Ivanov or perhaps it was just good defense by Melendez which made him look bad.
Melendez leaves Ivanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Melendez is looking to clinch but Ivanov is avoiding it.
Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Melendez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ivanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ivanov.
Ivanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Melendez.
Melendez feints a jab promting Ivanov to slip. Melendez then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ivanov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ivanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Melendez sprawls well. Melendez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ivanov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez has a takedown stuffed.
Ivanov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Melendez circles away.
A punch combination from Melendez misses.
Ivanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Melendez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Melendez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ivanov misses with a takedown attempt - Melendez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Melendez as Ivanov shoots in.
Ivanov lands a jab to the nose.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Melendez gets caught flat footed, as Ivanov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ivanov passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Ivanov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Melendez can't do much from the bottom here.
A lull in the action here as Ivanov stalls from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov is looking to take a break and control but Melendez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Artem Ivanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ivanov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Melendez, who protects the arm well.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Ivanov is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Melendez looks calm but he's in trouble here. Ivanov gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Melendez is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Ivanov lets go of the hold and Melendez can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Artem Ivanov!
A victorious Artem Ivanov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.