PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ground Guru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jokke Mela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mela has chosen Da Rockwilder as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Guru
vs
Mela

174 cm
22
147 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
30
144 lbs
21 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ground Guru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jokke Mela!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Mela misses.
Mela's corner calls for a 1-2. Mela obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Mela ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Guru moves away.
Mela takes a swing at Guru's ribcage but misses.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Guru.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mela is trying to get back to half guard.

Guru swings around for an armbar but Mela sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Guru's guard.

Guru has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mela can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Guru isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Mela stacks Guru on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Mela!
Guru is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mela wants to control but Guru is keeping him busy.
Guru is trying to control Mela's posture but Mela avoids it.
Guru sneaks back into half guard.
Mela is taking a breather. Guru says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Guru looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guru is looking to control Mela's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Guru avoid being mounted?
Mela prevents Guru from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Mela seems content to control.
Guru tries to roll over but Mela keeps him under control.
Guru works his way to full guard. Good work.
Guru looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mela puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Guru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mela.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mela lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mela is thwarting Guru's attempts to control the position.
Guru is looking for a sweep. Mela is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mela landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mela is trying to control. Guru wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mela looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Guru is refusing to be controlled, as Mela sits in half guard.
Guru moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Guru is looking for a triangle but Mela pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mela is in close to Guru's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mela stopping the sweep attempt from Guru.
Mela's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Guru is looking for a triangle but Mela pushes his legs off easily.
Mela trying to control but Guru is working from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guru keeping full guard, as Mela tries to pass.
Mela trying to control but Guru is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jokke Mela will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A jab from Mela misses.
Guru misses with a takedown attempt - Mela sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mela swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Guru.
Mela tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Guru was well out of range. Poor timing from Mela.
Guru is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Guru tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Guru shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mela jabs at Guru's body.

Guru closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mela pushes Guru off looking to stand but Guru dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mela trying to hold on to Guru's head to control him but Guru postures up.

Mela manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Guru takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Guru fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mela manages to avoid it.

Guru drives through with a takedown into guard.

Mela had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Guru defends it easily.
Guru preventing the sweep.
Guru wants to control from the top but Mela keeps moving.
Guru wants to pass the guard but Mela is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guru works over Mela with some ground and pound from guard.
Guru stands and throws Mela's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Guru tries to advance to mount but can't.
Guru passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Mela!
Guru avoids the attempt from Mela to control.

Guru looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mela is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guru trying to control but Mela is having none of it.
Mela is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Mela can't escape the position.

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

Guru moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Mela has worked his arm free - good work by Mela!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mela can't do much from the bottom here.
A control attempt from Mela but he's now mounted!
Mela working to try and regain half guard.
Guru looking to control but Mela is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Guru swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Mela is now in Guru's guard. A big mistake from Guru there, giving up the dominant position!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guru pulls Mela in close to prevent any damage.
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 Ground Guru will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Guru takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Guru tries for a takedown but Mela sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Guru needs to keep his hands up - Mela had a free shot at his head there.
Horrible takedown by Guru or perhaps it was just good defense by Mela which made him look bad.
Mela is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Guru rather than just go for the knockout.
Guru avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice uppercut there from Mela.
Ground Guru is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Guru steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mela.
A cross from Mela lands.
Jokke Mela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Guru tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mela tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Guru was well out of range. Poor timing from Mela.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru dives in and grabs Mela's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mela pushes down on Guru's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Guru shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mela counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mela throws an overhand right that lands on Guru's shoulder, as Guru tries to avoid the shot.
Mela cracks Guru with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Guru 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.
Guru wants to pass the guard but Mela is keeping the position.
Ground Guru overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mela holds on and takes a little breather.

Mela had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Guru defends it easily.
Mela is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guru postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mela keeping moving, preventing Guru from controlling successfully.
Mela seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Guru tries to free his leg and advance position but Mela is retaining full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Guru wants to control from the top but Mela keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mela scores with a decent looking hook.
Guru tries for a takedown but Mela circles away easily
and Mela counters with a left to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mela scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mela throws a big shot that misses.
Guru uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mela.
Mela comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Guru closes the distance and clinches up with Mela, looking for a takedown. Guru pushes Mela against the cage but Mela circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Donk. Mela catches Guru right on the button with a cross.
Mela misses the shot to the body.
Jokke Mela seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mela connects with a body shot.
Mela comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Guru uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mela.
Guru will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mela slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Guru defending well as Mela loads up on a big left hand.
Mela connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mela dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jokke Mela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Mela throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mela uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Guru.
Mela dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mela takes a swing at Guru's ribcage but misses.
Mela scores with a crisp jab that stopped Guru in his tracks.
Mela swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mela misses with an uppercut.
Guru fails to land the takedown.
Mela throws a one two combo.
Mela swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mela thows a left - swing and a miss!
Guru shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mela defends it nicely.
Mela stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mela wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Mela connects with the punch.
Mela fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mela jabs Guru to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mela scores with a nice strike.
Mela fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mela lands a glancing blow to the side of Guru's head.
Guru closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mela swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mela misses with a looping right.
Guru has his takedown stuffed
and Mela counters with a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from Mela.
Mela works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mela misses the shot to the body.
Guru shoots for a double leg takedown but Mela sprawls well. He's pushed Guru's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Guru tries to clinch but Mela is having none of it.
Mela ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Guru moves away.
Mela steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Guru.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mela lands with a good body shot.
Guru shoots in for a takedown but Mela shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Guru walks into a left hand.
Guru closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mela counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mela misses the shot to the body.
Guru has a takedown stuffed.
Mela lands a slapping body shot.
Guru fails with the takedown
and Mela counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mela misses with a looping right.
Mela swats away the attempt to clinch by Guru.
Guru takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Mela scores with a hook to the body. Guru takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mela stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mela wants it to stay on the feet.
A jab lands there for Mela.
Guru takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A big left from Mela misses.
Guru takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Guru displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mela throws out the jab.
Mela works the jab nicely.
Mela misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guru gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mela counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mela connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jokke Mela dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Guru.
Mela thows a body shot but no joy.
Mela throws a lazy right hand but Guru sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mela uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mela connects with a looping right hand.
Mela thows a body shot but no joy.
Mela throws a looping overhand right but Guru ducks down to avoid it.
Mela swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horrible takedown by Guru or perhaps it was just good defense by Mela which made him look bad.
Mela just misses with a punch to the body.
Guru looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Mela.
Guru misses with a takedown attempt
letting Mela counter with a right hand.
Guru needs to keep his hands up - Mela had a free shot at his head there.
Mela misses the jab.
Guru changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mela tries to avoid it but Guru manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mela to the ground. Mela escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ground Guru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Guru's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mela connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Guru scrambles back to his feet.
Guru throws a series of punches but Mela avoids them all with ease.
Mela jabs Guru to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Guru throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Guru will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mela wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ground Guru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jokke Mela 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.
Mela comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jab by Mela.
Mela lands a body shot.
Mela connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Guru momentarily.
Mela scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Guru closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mela did well to prevent Guru getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mela is concentrating on defense, preventing Guru from advancing position.
Guru looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mela is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Guru's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Guru's back!
Mela trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Guru doesn't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guru tries to roll but Mela sticks to his back.
Mela really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Guru.
Guru turns into Mela and is now in his guard.

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

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jokke Mela hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Guru misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Guru misses with a takedown attempt
and Mela counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mela stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Guru doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mela lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Guru tries a head kick but it misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mela punishes Guru's body with a nice straight punch.
Guru with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mela counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A shot to the liver by Mela. Beautiful body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jokke Mela comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mela 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 46:49
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 46:49
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jokke Mela!
An out of breath Jokke Mela thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.