PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vernon Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Angel Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Angel Velasquez is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Melendez
vs
Velasquez

167 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Vernon Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Angel Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Melendez has taken the fight to the clinch.

Melendez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Melendez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Melendez working a defensive guard here.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Velasquez stopping the sweep attempt from Melendez.
Velasquez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Velasquez looking to pass the guard.
Melendez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Velasquez's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez controlling Melendez's posture.
Velasquez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Melendez controls from within his opponent's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Melendez fails with the takedown.

Velasquez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Melendez, pushing him back against the cage.
Melendez really is a fat lump.
Melendez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Velasquez to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Melendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Velasquez breaks from the clinch.
Velasquez moves to clinch but Melendez breaks away
and Melendez counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Velasquez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Horrible takedown by Melendez or perhaps it was just good defense by Velasquez which made him look bad.
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!
Velasquez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Melendez swivels and escapes.
Melendez delivers a nice body kick.
Melendez misses with a low kick.
Melendez feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Velasquez's calf.
Melendez shoots in for a double leg but Velasquez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt.
Melendez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Melendez is breathing heavily.
Melendez slaps away a takedown attempt from Velasquez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Velasquez misses with a double jab
letting Melendez counter with a right hand.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Velasquez as he jumps to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Melendez as Velasquez shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez leaves Melendez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Velasquez fails with the takedown.
Melendez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Velasquez defends well and Melendez ends up having to push Velasquez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Velasquez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Melendez stops a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez has Melendez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Melendez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Melendez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Velasquez just stands there and leans against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez tries for a takedown but Velasquez manages to get underhooks.

Melendez manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Velasquez darts in looking for a takedown but Melendez gets double underhooks and turns Velasquez into the cage.
Melendez is trying to maintain a safe position but Velasquez gets an underhook and turns Melendez into the cage.
Velasquez 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.
Velasquez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Melendez has him pressed against the cage.
Velasquez is pressed up against the cage. Melendez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Velasquez down to the mat. Velasquez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Velasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Melendez. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet.
Melendez throws a lazy right hand but Velasquez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Good leg kick by Melendez there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Velasquez is breathing heavily.
Velasquez shoots in but Melendez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vernon Melendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Angel Velasquez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez connects with a looping right hand.

Melendez has managed to clinch.
Melendez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Velasquez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Melendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Velasquez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Melendez defends well and Velasquez ends up having to push Melendez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Velasquez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Melendez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Velasquez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Velasquez is looking to break free of the clinch but Melendez has double underhooks.

Melendez pulls Velasquez into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is stalling in the full guard.
Velasquez wants to pass the guard but Melendez is keeping the position.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Velasquez is looking to work some ground and pound but Melendez has wrist control.
Velasquez tries to stand but Melendez is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez trying to keep a closed guard but Velasquez is proving a slippery customer.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Angel Velasquez wasn't active enough on the ground.

Melendez rushes Velasquez and presses him up against the cage.
Melendez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Velasquez pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Velasquez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Velasquez clinches up against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Velasquez is trying to break the clinch but Melendez has him pressed against the cage.
Velasquez is pressed up against the cage. Melendez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Velasquez down to the mat. Velasquez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Velasquez tries to clinch there but Melendez circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Velasquez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Velasquez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Velasquez tries to close the distance and clinch but Melendez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Melendez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Velasquez fails to land the takedown.
Velasquez takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Velasquez misses the shot to the body.
Velasquez misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vernon Melendez will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Melendez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Vernon Melendez is winning the standup battle so far.
Velasquez is looking to clinch.
Melendez goes for a double leg but Velasquez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Velasquez continues to drive forward.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stalling in the clinch from Velasquez.
Velasquez has had enough of the clinch but Melendez keeps him there for the moment.
Velasquez taking a breather.

Velasquez breaks the clinch.
Velasquez fails to land the takedown.
Velasquez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Velasquez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melendez pushes Velasquez up against the cage in a clinch.

Melendez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Melendez throws a series of punches but Velasquez moves out of range.
Melendez wants to clinch up but Velasquez keeps it at a distance.
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick misses from Melendez.
Melendez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Velasquez avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Melendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velasquez throws a sloppy head kick and Melendez moves out of range easily.
Melendez tries to close the distance and clinch but Velasquez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Melendez defends well and Velasquez ends up having to push Melendez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Melendez scores with a hook to the body.
Melendez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Velasquez smiles and moves away.
Melendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Velasquez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Melendez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Melendez circles away from the clinch attempt
and Melendez counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez misses with a head kick.
Velasquez throws a sloppy head kick and Melendez moves out of range easily.
Melendez looks to land a combination but Velasquez avoids it well.
Nice uppercut lands for Velasquez. That snapped Melendez's head back.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Velasquez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Melendez drives through and clinches with Velasquez against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Melendez.
Velasquez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Melendez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Velasquez gets a clinch.
Vernon Melendez has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez can't get the takedown.
Melendez is trying to drag Velasquez to the mat but Velasquez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Velasquez pulls Melendez into guard.
Melendez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Melendez postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Velasquez wants to stand but Melendez is controlling the position.

Velasquez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Melendez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Angel Velasquez.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Vernon Melendez!