PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wanderlei Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilbert Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Silva
vs
Melendez

180 cm
31
167 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

175 cm
29
164 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wanderlei Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gilbert Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Daniel Blasius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Silva misses.
The fighters circling - Silva throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Silva loads up on a big right hand but Melendez slips the punch.
Silva avoids the body shot from Melendez.
Silva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Silva throws a jab when Melendez was well out of range.
Wanderlei Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva throws a series of punches but Melendez moves out of range.
Silva misses the jab.
Silva misses with a straight left.

Melendez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Silva is looking to reverse the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Silva tries to control but Melendez manages to take his back.
Silva manages to reverse the position and now he's in Melendez's guard. Nice work there by Silva.
Silva passes Melendez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Melendez is trying to control but can't.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Melendez can do anything to dispel that myth.

Melendez is defending against the submission attempts here by Silva.

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

Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Melendez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Melendez is not content to let Silva control the position.
Melendez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Melendez.
Melendez keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

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

Silva is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Melendez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Melendez has escaped and now he's on top!
Silva avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez tries to free his leg and advance position but Silva is retaining full guard.
Silva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Silva looking for subs off his back but Melendez has passed one foot through into half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Melendez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Silva doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Melendez.
Silva has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Melendez is working away from the top position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Melendez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Silva has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez trying to mount his opponent but Silva defends it.

Melendez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Silva sees it coming and defends easily.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Silva is pressing down on Melendez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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

Silva working for a triangle but Melendez defends it easily.
Silva keeping full guard, as Melendez tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Silva looking for subs off his back but Melendez has passed one foot through into half guard.

Melendez is trying to work for a kimura but Silva is defending well.

Melendez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Silva doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Melendez.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Silva looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva throws a looping overhand right but Melendez ducks down to avoid it.
Silva tries to bum rush Melendez with a series of wild strikes but Melendez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Melendez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Silva.
A jab from Silva misses.
Melendez slips under a jab from Silva.
Silva thuds his right hand into Melendez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Melendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Silva throws a shot from downtown. Melendez moves away and avoids it.
Melendez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Melendez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Silva.
Silva thows a left - swing and a miss!
Melendez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva throws a series of punches but Melendez moves out of range.
Silva throws a hook to the side of Melendez's head but Melendez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Melendez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Silva throws out the jab.
Silva throws a big shot that misses.
Melendez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Silva.

Silva gets caught napping as Melendez dives in and scores a takedown. Silva manages to retain guard.
Gilbert Melendez has got the better of the ground game so far.

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 wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Melendez postures up in Silva's guard and throws a big left but Silva blocks it.

Melendez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Melendez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Melendez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva is looking for a triangle here but Melendez uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Melendez working away.
Melendez postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Melendez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Silva has escaped the position, nice work there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva tries to bench press Melendez off him but Melendez keeps the position.

Melendez has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Silva is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Melendez yanks on the arm and Silva is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Melendez.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gilbert Melendez!
Gilbert Melendez bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.