PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Javier Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maanpohja
vs
Melendez

171 cm
22
173 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
28
170 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

TWGC Champion
Counter fighter
Granite chin

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Javier Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez shoots for a takedown but Maanpohja saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Melendez tries to sprawl but Maanpohja drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Maanpohja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Melendez keeps working.
Melendez wants to control but Maanpohja is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Maanpohja is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Melendez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maanpohja.
Melendez trying to control here.

Javier Melendez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Melendez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Melendez lands in his opponent's guard.
Melendez pushes down on Maanpohja's leg and manages to get into half guard.
My spies in Warrior BJJ and Fitness inform me that Melendez has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez is trying to control. Maanpohja wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Melendez is trying to work for a kimura but Maanpohja is defending well.
Maanpohja is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at KalDom that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Maanpohja actively working from the bottom here.
Melendez works his foot free and advances to mount.
Maanpohja is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

Melendez looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Melendez content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja tries to reverse the position but Melendez maintains control.
Melendez wants to control the pace but Maanpohja is squirming around nicely.
Melendez blocks Maanpohja's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Maanpohja bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Melendez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maanpohja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Melendez is keeping the position for now.
Melendez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Melendez is looking for a triangle but Maanpohja pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melendez has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Maanpohja has passed into side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is holding Maanpohja down, trying to stall.

Maanpohja is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Melendez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Melendez is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Maanpohja off and has taken his back!
Melendez missing with punches from the back.

Maanpohja preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Melendez.
Maanpohja rolls, trying to escape but Melendez keeps control of the position.

Melendez has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Maanpohja trying to control the hands but Melendez won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez wants to control but Maanpohja is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Melendez is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Maanpohja has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Melendez connects with a big shot to the side of Maanpohja's head.
Maanpohja tries to roll but Melendez sticks to his back.
Maanpohja trying to control the hands but Melendez won't let him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Melendez has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Maanpohja has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Maanpohja preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Melendez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Javier Melendez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Melendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Maanpohja swivels and escapes.

Maanpohja shoots in and bounces Melendez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Melendez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maanpohja can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Maanpohja tries to stand but Melendez is controlling from the bottom.
Maanpohja with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maanpohja won't allow Melendez to sweep him here.
Maanpohja tries to free his leg and advance position but Melendez is retaining full guard.
Maanpohja pushes down on Melendez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Melendez is trying to stand back up but Maanpohja is controlling him

Maanpohja is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Melendez is just riding it out for now. Maanpohja eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez wants to control but Maanpohja is keeping busy.
Melendez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maanpohja.
Melendez is trying to stand.
Melendez flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Maanpohja is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Melendez is trying to control but can't.
Melendez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maanpohja's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maanpohja's back!
Well, with Melendez on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Maanpohja is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Melendez has the hooks in. Maanpohja is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melendez is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Maanpohja has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Melendez has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Maanpohja taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Melendez doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Javier Melendez!