PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johny Hendricks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilbert Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hendricks comes to the cage accompanied by $50 and a flask of crown. Melendez has chosen Shinedown - Diamond Eyes as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hendricks
vs
Melendez

175 cm
27
164 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

175 cm
28
165 lbs
10 - 2 - 2

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johny Hendricks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gilbert Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Melendez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Decent striking displayed by Hendricks there.
Hendricks misses with a hook. Melendez ducked under it nicely.
Hendricks moves in looking to clinch but Melendez pushes him off.
Hendricks throws a jab but it's blocked by Melendez.
Hendricks lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Gilbert Melendez has been cut.
Hendricks fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Melendez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hendricks has his takedown stuffed

and Melendez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hendricks's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hendricks being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks wants to hit a switch here but Melendez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hendricks there!
Hendricks wants to hold on but Melendez pushes him away.
Hendricks is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Melendez controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Melendez has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Hendricks wants to try and get back to his feet.
Hendricks tries to lock up and control but Melendez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hendricks can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez controlling from the full mount.
Hendricks tries to hold on but Melendez postures up.
Melendez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hendricks takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hendricks tries to lock up and control but Melendez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Melendez landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Melendez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Hendricks tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Melendez controlling from mount.
It looks like Melendez might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilbert Melendez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gilbert Melendez's cut.
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 tries to clinch up but Hendricks circles away and keeps his distance.
Hendricks misses with an uppercut

and Melendez counters with a shoot takedown. Hendricks fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Melendez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Melendez won't allow Hendricks to get back to his feet.
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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Melendez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hendricks is wriggling around but Melendez manages to pass to half guard.
Hendricks is looking to get back to is feet but Melendez passes into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez controlling the position.
Hendricks wants to get back to his feet but Melendez drags him back down.
Melendez taking a breather here.
You can see the frustration on Hendricks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hendricks on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hendricks tries to get out of the position.
Melendez takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Hendricks to pass into mount.
Melendez controlling from mount.
Gilbert Melendez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Melendez landing strikes from the mount and Hendricks is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks is trying desperately to improve position.
Melendez controlling from mount.
Hendricks squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Hendricks tries to hold on but Melendez postures up.
Hendricks is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Hendricks tries to hold on but Melendez pushes him away.
Hendricks is trying desperately to improve position.
Melendez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Hendricks really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hendricks wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilbert Melendez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Gilbert Melendez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hendricks misses with a body shot.
Hendricks misses with a straight right.
Johny Hendricks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hendricks smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Hendricks gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Melendez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Melendez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Melendez dives into side control.
Hendricks is looking to regain half guard here but Melendez keeps moving and retains side control.
Melendez wants to control but Hendricks is keeping him busy.
Melendez controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks is looking to get back to his feet here but Melendez is keeping cool and he's managed to take Hendricks's back.
Melendez has good solid back control here.
Hendricks is trying to get back to his feet but Melendez has full control of the position and if anything, Hendricks has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Gilbert Melendez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Melendez controlling the positon.
Hendricks trying to get back to his feet but Melendez is in full control for now.
What can Hendricks do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez has the hooks in. Hendricks is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Hendricks is trying to stand back up.
Melendez is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gilbert Melendez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Melendez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gilbert Melendez!
Gilbert Melendez decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.