PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Taneli Maija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Javier Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Javier Melendez was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Maija
vs
Melendez

183 cm
31
177 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

180 cm
29
170 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taneli Maija!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Javier Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maija scores with a jab to the jaw.
Maija looks to land a left hand but Melendez moved out of range nicely.

Maija shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Melendez's guard.

Maija got a little sloppy there for a moment and Melendez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maija has managed to get both his arms back between Melendez's legs - danger averted.
Maija wants to pass the guard but Melendez is keeping the position.
Melendez keeping moving, preventing Maija from controlling successfully.
Melendez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maija wants to pass the guard but Melendez is keeping the position.

Melendez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maija doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maija manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maija trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Melendez is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Maija trying to control but Melendez is working from the bottom.
Maija pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Melendez is keeping the position for now.
Melendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Melendez is looking to stand up but Maija isn't so interested in that idea.
Maija trying to control but Melendez is working from the bottom.
Melendez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Melendez is looking for a triangle but Maija pushes his legs off easily.
Maija trying to control but Melendez is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Melendez looking for subs off his back but Maija has passed one foot through into half guard.
Still in half guard, Maija seems content to control.

Maija 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. Maija eventually gives up the hold.
Melendez wants to get back to full guard.
Melendez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Melendez.

Maija drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maija jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Melendez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maija is stalling in the full guard.
Melendez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Maija wants to pass the guard but Melendez is keeping the position.

Melendez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Melendez keeping moving, preventing Maija from controlling successfully.

Melendez looking for a guillotine here but Maija defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maija sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Melendez's guard.
Maija is trying to control. Melendez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maija trying to mount his opponent but Melendez defends it.

Melendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Maija in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Melendez tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Maija!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Taneli Maija!
Taneli Maija decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.