PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Van Pol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilbert Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melendez has chosen Shinedown - Diamond Eyes as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Pol
vs
Melendez

175 cm
22
165 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

175 cm
29
165 lbs
11 - 2 - 2

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear
LOD: Affordable Quality

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Van Pol!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gilbert Melendez!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pol misses with a leg kick.
Melendez tries for a takedown but Pol circles away easily
and Pol counters with a straight right hand.

Melendez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pol tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Melendez is in Pol's guard.
Pol wants to sweep but no luck.
Pol controlling the position.
Melendez wants to control from the top but Pol keeps moving.
Pol keeping full guard, as Melendez tries to pass.
Pol wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Van Pol wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Pol throws a low kick but Melendez avoids it.
Melendez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pol circles away.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Van Pol has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilbert Melendez.
Pol lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Melendez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Pol connects with a leg kick. Melendez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Pol tries a head kick but it misses.
Pol stuffs the takedown attempt from Melendez. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet.
Pol looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pol throws a leg kick but Melendez checks it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pol, right into the meat.

Melendez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pol pulls Melendez in to control the position.
Pol is trying to keep Melendez in close.
Melendez looking to pass the guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Pol wants to control but Melendez passes easily into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pol actively working from the bottom here.
Pol controlling the position for now.
Pol wants to improve his position but Melendez is controlling well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Melendez in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pol trying to control from the bottom.
Pol is concentrating on defense, preventing Melendez from advancing position.

We're going to have a standup here because Van Pol wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Melendez shoots in for a double leg but Pol sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Van Pol seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pol is looking to score with low kicks.
Pol lands a head kick. Melendez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Gilbert Melendez has been cut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez shoots in looking for a takedown but Pol manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Melendez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pol turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pol throws a leg kick but Melendez sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Pol dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gilbert Melendez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Melendez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pol tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Melendez was well out of range. Poor timing from Pol.
A leg kick checked by Melendez.
Pol throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Melendez.
Van Pol is winning the standup battle so far.
Pol throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Melendez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Pol shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pol throws a sloppy head kick and Melendez moves out of range easily.
Gilbert Melendez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick from Pol lands but Melendez takes it in his stride.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pol.
Pol throws an off balance right hand
and Melendez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pol scores with a kick to the body.
Melendez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pol circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Melendez.
Pol throws a body punch but Melendez moves out of range.
Pol lands with a slapping head kick.
Melendez tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Pol lands a leg kick that knocks Melendez off balance momentarily.
Good leg kick by Pol there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Good leg kick by Pol there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Pol throws a leg kick but Melendez moved away.
Melendez keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Pol connects with a leg kick. Melendez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Pol connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pol tries to work over Melendez's front leg with a kick but Melendez checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pol shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pol cracks the inside of Melendez's front leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Melendez moves out of range of the leg kick from Pol.
Pol throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Pol throws a leg kick but Melendez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Melendez.
Van Pol has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilbert Melendez.
Melendez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pol sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Melendez somewhat.
Pol throws a leg kick that misses.
Melendez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pol is looking to chop away at Melendez's legs.
Pol throws a quick inside leg kick.
Melendez blocks a head kick by Pol.
Pol lands with a thumping leg kick.
A head kick misses from Pol.
Melendez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Pol scoring well with a low kick there.
Pol leaves Melendez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pol lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Melendez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Melendez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Melendez.
Melendez checks a leg kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez checks a low kick from Pol.
Pol wants to land a leg kick but Melendez is out of range.
Melendez dives in for a single leg takedown but Pol sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Pol escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Melendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Melendez misses with a series of wild punches.
Pol is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Melendez.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez shoots for a takedown but Pol saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Melendez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Melendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pol swivels and escapes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Pol dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gilbert Melendez's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pol misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Melendez blocks the low kick.
Pol lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Pol scores with a leg kick.
Pol scores with a leg kick.
Pol pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pol throws a sloppy head kick and Melendez moves out of range easily.
Pol fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pol fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Melendez.
Pol cracks a nice hook into Melendez's ribs.
Pol is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Melendez can do to turn this around?
Melendez goes for a double leg but Pol avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Pol continues to drive forward.
Melendez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Melendez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Melendez blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pol makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Pol working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Melendez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pol fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Van Pol has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilbert Melendez.
Melendez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pol manages to avoid it.
Melendez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Pol connects with a solid leg kick.
Melendez checks a leg kick nicely.
Melendez avoids the head kick by Pol.
Melendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown but Pol shows good takedown defense.
Melendez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pol defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pol throws a solid leg kick but Melendez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pol.
Pol lands a high kick!
Pol with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pol digs a good hook to Melendez's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Melendez manages to avoid it.
Melendez avoids the body shot from Pol.
Pol scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Pol.
Pol misses with a head kick.
Melendez shoots in looking for a takedown. Pol tries to sprawl out of it but Melendez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pol manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez dives in for a single leg takedown but Pol sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Melendez works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Pol has an active guard here but Melendez has managed to pass into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pol wants to improve his position but Melendez is controlling well.
Melendez trying to pass the guard but Pol defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Pol reverses the position - he's now on top in Melendez's guard.
Pol pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Melendez is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Pol clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Gilbert Melendez's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pol misses with a body shot.
Pol feints and then cracks Melendez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Melendez down.
Melendez tries to close the distance and clinch but Pol swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Melendez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Pol pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Melendez shoots in but Pol avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pol.
Pol throws a leg kick that misses.
Melendez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pol defends it nicely.
Melendez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pol swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Melendez.
Pol feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Melendez's calf.
Pol lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Pol cracks the inside of Melendez's front leg.
Pol feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Melendez's calf.
Pol chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pol connects with a solid leg kick.
Melendez avoids the head kick by Pol.
Melendez looks for a takedown but Pol sprawls well.
Van Pol has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilbert Melendez.
Pol lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Melendez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez fails to land the takedown.
Melendez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Van Pol is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Melendez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pol throws a head kick that misses.
Pol tries to land a leg kick but Melendez saw it coming and moves away.
Melendez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pol lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pol fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Melendez is out of range.
Melendez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pol with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pol is looking to score with low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pol swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Melendez slips a jab from Pol.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pol sprawls well. Pol wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet.
Melendez checks the leg kick.
Pol connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Melendez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pol defends it nicely.
Melendez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pol can pounce on him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pol stuffs the takedown.

Melendez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Pol keeping hold of Melendez's head, controlling as best he can.
Pol gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Pol had his way with Gilbert Melendez in that round.
The cut man is working on Gilbert Melendez's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Melendez blocks the body kick.
Pol pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pol lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Pol tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pol throws a low kick, looking for Melendez's leg but Melendez calmly moves out of range.
Pol swings widly with a right hand

and Melendez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pol won't be happy with that.
Pol is trying to get back to half guard.
Pol is working hard here to advance position.
Melendez trying to control the position but Pol is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pol tries to improve position but can't.
Pol wants to get back to his feet.
Melendez slows the pace down.

Gilbert Melendez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Pol lands a head kick. Melendez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pol with a hook.
Pol scores with a head kick.

Melendez feints and as Pol raises his hands in defense, Melendez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pol looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Pol not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gilbert Melendez has got the better of the ground game so far.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Melendez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Pol has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Melendez shoots in but Pol avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pol finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Pol stuffs the takedown attempt from Melendez. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet.
Melendez takes a kick to the side of the head.
Pol connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pol wants to land a leg kick but Melendez is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pol tests Melendez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pol does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Pol fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Melendez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Van Pol is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pol throws a wild body kick that Melendez sees coming a mile off.
Melendez's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Pol connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Melendez scrambles back to his feet.
Gilbert Melendez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pol with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pol finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Pol connects with a leg kick. Melendez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pol throws a leg kick which misses Melendez's front leg but catches the back leg as Melendez tries to avoid it.
Pol lands with a nice body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pol lands with a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Van Pol showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pol, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Van Pol!
Van Pol retains his lightweight title!