PBP Commentary

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

Gracie
vs
Melendez

165 cm
22
165 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
30
164 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Torment Fightwear

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rayce Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gilbert Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Melendez gets caught napping as Gracie dives in and scores a takedown. Melendez manages to retain guard.

Melendez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

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

Melendez is looking for a triangle here but Gracie uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Melendez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Melendez is looking for a sweep.
Melendez can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie trying to control the action but Melendez is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie scoring with punches and elbows.
Gracie looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Melendez is avoiding damage well.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gracie wants to control but Melendez is keeping him busy.
Melendez is looking to reverse the position.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Melendez tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.
Melendez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Melendez.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gracie working for a triangle but Melendez defends it easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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 throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Melendez is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Melendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Melendez trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie controls Melendez momentarily but Melendez frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gilbert Melendez was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Gracie fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Melendez sprawls well initially but Gracie persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gracie is trying to control. Melendez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Melendez is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Melendez wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Melendez is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Melendez manages to get to full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Melendez keeps moving.
Melendez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Melendez is trying to hold Gracie in close to prevent damage but Gracie has managed to pass into half guard.
Melendez is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Melendez wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

Melendez working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
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 Rayce Gracie will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Melendez slips under a jab from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Melendez.

Melendez closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gracie quickly recovers to half guard.
Melendez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gracie keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rayce Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Gracie trying to control from the bottom.
Melendez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Melendez maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Gracie could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Melendez has cracked it and Gracie is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Melendez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gilbert Melendez!
Gilbert Melendez spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.