PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gilbert Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larry Humper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melendez's entrance music is 2Pac-Ballad of a Dead Soulja. A fine choice. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Melendez
vs
Humper

175 cm
27
165 lbs
7 - 1 - 2

168 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Tends to cut

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Nefarious Design House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gilbert Melendez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Larry Humper!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Humper keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Good standup being displayed there by Melendez as he connects with a hook.
Humper shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Melendez but Melendez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Humper fails with the takedown.

Melendez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Humper's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Humper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Melendez is controlling him.
Melendez is fighting to break Humper's control of his arms but Humper is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Humper not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Melendez won't allow Humper to sweep him here.
Melendez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Melendez won't allow Humper to sweep him here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Melendez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Humper looking for a sweep. Not yet Humper, not yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Melendez throwing strikes from guard but Humper blocks nicely.
Melendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Humper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez wants to pass the guard but Humper is keeping the position.
Melendez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Humper seems keen to control Melendez's posture.

Melendez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Melendez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Melendez wants to pass the guard but Humper is keeping the position.
Humper trying to control the position.
Melendez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Melendez trying to control but Humper is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Melendez fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Humper slips a jab and a cross from Melendez.

Melendez tries to keep at a distance but Humper has taken the fight into the clinch.
Humper misses with the head strike.
Humper tries to score a body lock takedown but Melendez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gilbert Melendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Larry Humper.

Melendez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Melendez misses with a two punch combination.
Melendez lands a jab-cross combination.
Melendez shoots in and drives through. Humper sprawls well.
Melendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Melendez clinches with his opponent.
Humper misses with the head strike.
Melendez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Humper gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Melendez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Humper pushes Melendez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Melendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Humper is trying to drag Melendez to the mat but Melendez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Melendez prevents a body shot from Humper.
Melendez leaning against his opponent.
Humper misses with a short punch on the inside.
Melendez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Humper is trying to drag Melendez to the mat but Melendez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Melendez is trying to maintain a safe position but Humper gets an underhook and turns Melendez into the cage.
Melendez lands with a right to the head.
Melendez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Humper swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Humper misses with a short punch on the inside.

Melendez is trying to trip Humper. He has hold of a leg but Humper is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Melendez persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Humper keeping moving, preventing Melendez from controlling successfully.
Melendez controlling from the top position.
Humper lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Melendez!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Humper is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Melendez can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Melendez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Melendez tries to get out of the position.
Humper thowing shots but they're missing.
Humper looking to finish Melendez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Melendez!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Humper with good strikes from the mount here!
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 Gilbert Melendez will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Melendez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Humper is trying to defend but Melendez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Humper controlling the position well.
Humper tries to roll over but Melendez keeps him under control.
Humper wants to get back to his feet.
Humper wants to control but Melendez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Humper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Melendez thows a huge punch but Humper dodges it nicely.
Melendez trying to pass the guard but Humper defending well.
Melendez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Humper keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Melendez is looking to take a break and control but Humper is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez is thwarting Humper's attempts to control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Larry Humper wasn't active enough on the ground.
Melendez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Humper on the side of the head.
Melendez with a nice cross.
Melendez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Humper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Melendez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Humper gets a takedown into half guard.
Humper not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Humper prevents Melendez from standing back up.
Melendez won't allow Humper to pass to mount.
Melendez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Humper thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Humper scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Melendez is trying to get back to full guard.
Melendez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Melendez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Humper.
Melendez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Humper's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Humper's back!
What can Humper do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Humper defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Melendez's arms.
Humper tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Melendez swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Humper is now in Melendez's guard. A big mistake from Melendez there, giving up the dominant position!
Humper throwing strikes from guard but Melendez blocks nicely.
Humper trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Humper throws a big elbow that misses.
Humper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Melendez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Humper's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Humper content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Humper throws a big elbow that misses.
Melendez has momentary wrist control but Humper slips an elbow through the middle.
Humper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Melendez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Melendez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Melendez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Humper is looking to work some ground and pound but Melendez has wrist control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Humper stopping the sweep attempt from Melendez.
Humper postures up in Melendez's guard and throws a big left but Melendez blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Larry Humper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Melendez has a takedown stuffed.
Humper showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Melendez.
The fight stays on the outside here - Humper looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gilbert Melendez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Melendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Melendez has Humper up against the cage in a clinch.
Melendez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Humper after a bit of a struggle.
Humper tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Humper has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Melendez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Humper misses with a short punch on the inside.
Melendez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Humper.
Humper misses with a punch on the inside.
Humper misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez tries to stall but Humper uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Humper misses with a punch to the body.
Humper misses with a hook from the clinch.
Humper is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gilbert Melendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Humper struggles to land a body shot inside as Melendez controls his hands.
Humper tries to work over Melendez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Melendez is working for takedown but Humper is calmly controlling the position for now.
Humper doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Humper misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Melendez blocks an uppercut.
Humper stops a takedown attempt from Melendez.
Humper lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Melendez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Humper struggles to land a body shot inside as Melendez controls his hands.
Humper is pressed up against the cage. Melendez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Humper down to the mat. Humper avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Humper misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Melendez lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Humper is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Humper tries to close the distance and clinch but Melendez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Melendez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Humper manages to work his way to half guard, despite Melendez's best efforts.
Melendez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Larry Humper has got the better of the ground game so far.
Humper is looking to improve his position.
Humper taking some punishment here, with Melendez in his half guard.
Humper is looking to control Melendez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Humper avoid being mounted?
Humper tries to roll over but Melendez keeps him under control.
Melendez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Humper's head.
Melendez is keen to just control but Humper is a slippery customer.
Humper has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Melendez is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez wants to take a breather but Humper is having none of it.
Humper blocking the ground and pound attempt from Melendez.
Humper wants to improve his position but Melendez is controlling well.
Humper wants to control but Melendez is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Melendez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Melendez wants to control but Humper is keeping him busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Humper manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Humper keeping moving, preventing Melendez from controlling successfully.
Melendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Humper is keeping the position for now.
Humper looking for a sweep. Not yet Humper, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Melendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Humper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Melendez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Melendez in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Humper is not content to let Melendez control the position.
Melendez lands a nice forearm strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Melendez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Humper is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Melendez controls the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Humper is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Humper's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilbert Melendez clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Melendez lands a jab-cross combination.
Humper will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A shot to the liver by Melendez. Beautiful body shot.
Gilbert Melendez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Melendez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Melendez preventing the sweep.
Humper keeping moving, preventing Melendez from controlling successfully.
Humper looking for a sweep. Not yet Humper, not yet.
Melendez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Melendez lands a couple of digs.
Melendez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Melendez wants to control from the top but Humper keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

We're going to have a standup here because Gilbert Melendez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Melendez gets caught flat footed, as Humper shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Humper is fighting to break Melendez's control of his arms but Melendez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Humper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Humper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Melendez is keeping the position for now.
Melendez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Humper.
Humper scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Humper trying to control but Melendez is working from the bottom.
Humper with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Humper lands a couple of elbows.
Humper is looking to work some ground and pound but Melendez has wrist control.
Humper lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Humper trying to control but Melendez is working from the bottom.
Melendez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Melendez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Humper throws an elbow that misses. Melendez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Humper's guard. Nice move by Melendez!
Humper is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Humper has Melendez pulled in close to control his posture.
Humper keeping full guard, as Melendez tries to pass.
Humper looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Humper working a defensive guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Larry Humper hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Humper fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Melendez avoids it really well and circles away.
Humper is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Nice uppercut lands for Melendez. That snapped Humper's head back.

Melendez rushes Humper and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melendez wants the takedown. Humper is fighting it off but Melendez persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Humper's guard against the cage.
Humper trying to control the position.
Melendez throwing strikes from guard but Humper blocks nicely.
Humper keeping full guard, as Melendez tries to pass.
Melendez won't allow Humper to sweep him here.
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!
Humper keeping moving, preventing Melendez from controlling successfully.
Humper controls Melendez momentarily but Melendez frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Gilbert Melendez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Melendez throws a combination that misses

and Humper counters by moving into the clinch.

Melendez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Gilbert Melendez will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Humper tries to clinch but Melendez moves out of range.
Humper avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Melendez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Humper gets full guard.
Humper wants to sweep but no luck.
Humper not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Humper is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Melendez slips nicely into half guard.
Melendez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Humper tries to roll over but Melendez keeps him under control.
Melendez wants to take a breather but Humper is having none of it.
Humper is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Melendez is looking to advance position but Humper won't allow it.
Melendez not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Humper wants to improve his position but Melendez is controlling well.
Melendez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Melendez is working for a kimura but Humper is defending it quite comfortably.
Humper is trying to get back to full guard.
Melendez wants to take a breather but Humper is having none of it.
Humper wants to improve his position but Melendez is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melendez is working for a submission of some sort.
Humper has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Melendez is working away from the top position though.
Humper is not content to let Melendez control the position.
Humper wants to get back to full guard.
Melendez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Melendez is thwarting Humper's attempts to control the position.

Melendez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Humper is just riding it out for now. Melendez eventually gives up the hold.
Humper tries to get to full guard but Melendez has control of the leg.
Gilbert Melendez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Melendez is looking to take a break and control but Humper is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Melendez wants to advance to full mount but Humper doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Melendez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Humper keeping moving, preventing Melendez from controlling successfully.

Gilbert Melendez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Melendez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Humper manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Melendez on his heels. He'll look to pass Melendez's guard now, I'm sure.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Humper accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Humper lands a couple of digs.
Humper wants to control from the top but Melendez keeps moving.
Humper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Melendez keeping full guard, as Humper tries to pass.
Humper in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Humper throws a big elbow that misses.
Larry Humper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Humper trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Larry Humper.
I think Melendez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gilbert Melendez!
Gilbert Melendez retains his lightweight title!
Gilbert Melendez very nearly forgot to thank //buriedALIVE// Fight Gear amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.