PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luis Palomino Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricardo Melendez has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Melendez
vs
Palomino Jr

185 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricardo Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luis Palomino Jr!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Melendez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
An elbow from Melendez crashes against the mat.
Palomino Jr tries to buck Melendez off but Melendez is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Palomino Jr is trying to get back to his feet.
Melendez working away.
Palomino Jr tries to improve position but can't.
Sloppy strikes there by Melendez.
Palomino Jr manages to work his way to half guard, despite Melendez's best efforts.
Palomino Jr throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Melendez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Palomino Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Melendez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Palomino Jr's head.
Melendez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Palomino Jr with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melendez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
It looks like Melendez is going to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palomino Jr is trying to get back to full guard.

Melendez seems to be working for a kimura but Palomino Jr defends the submission attempt.
Palomino Jr has his hands clasped together around Melendez's back. He's all about the action.
Melendez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Palomino Jr wants to control but Melendez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Palomino Jr is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez wants to get back to his feet.
Palomino Jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Melendez controlling the action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Palomino Jr blocking the ground and pound attempt from Melendez.

Palomino Jr actively working from the bottom here.
Palomino Jr looks winded!
Melendez wants to stand up but Palomino Jr has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Melendez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Palomino Jr tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Melendez has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Palomino Jr can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Palomino Jr wants to hold on but Melendez pushes him away.
Melendez working Palomino Jr over with strikes here.
Melendez in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Palomino Jr tries to hold on but Melendez postures up.
Melendez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Palomino Jr can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Melendez looking to finish Palomino Jr with some ground and pound. This is bad for Palomino Jr!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Palomino Jr is bucking up trying to escape but Melendez cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Melendez working for a guillotine from mount but Palomino Jr is in no mood to give up.
Melendez with a couple of short strikes.
Palomino Jr is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez working Palomino Jr over with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Melendez dominated that round.
That's time! Melendez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Palomino Jr drives through with a takedown into guard.

Melendez pushes a forearm under Palomino Jr's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Palomino Jr is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:23 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ricardo Melendez!