PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Monte Melkonian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melkonian comes to the cage accompanied by Artsakh Music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Melkonian
vs
Silva

180 cm
27
201 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

180 cm
26
200 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Monte Melkonian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wanderlei Silva!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Silva misses with a few strikes there.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Silva's jab looks to have found its range, popping Melkonian under the eye.
Melkonian takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Silva throws a series of punches but Melkonian avoids them all with ease.
Silva throws a series of punches but Melkonian moves out of range.
Silva tries to bum rush Melkonian with a series of wild strikes but Melkonian uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Silva ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Melkonian moves away.
Melkonian swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.

Melkonian has taken the fight to the clinch.

Silva has Melkonian pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Silva pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Melkonian tumbling to the mat - Silva dives into Melkonian's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melkonian 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melkonian is looking for a triangle but Silva pushes his legs off easily.
Melkonian wants to stand and escape but Silva is having none of it.
Silva must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Melkonian being controlled here, momentarily.
Melkonian working a defensive guard here.
Silva wants to control from the top but Melkonian keeps moving.
Melkonian keeping full guard, as Silva tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Melkonian has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to control from the top but Melkonian keeps moving.
Melkonian is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Melkonian tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Silva looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Wanderlei Silva has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Silva lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Melkonian fails with the takedown
and Silva counters with a one-two to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melkonian goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Wanderlei Silva has been cut.
Melkonian tries to clinch up but Silva circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melkonian shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense.
Silva throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Melkonian tries to clinch but Silva is having none of it.
Silva with a nice cross.
Melkonian misses with a head kick.
Silva slips a jab and a cross from Melkonian.
Silva lands a nice looking body shot.
Melkonian shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Silva sprawls well. Silva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Melkonian gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Melkonian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Silva moves into range and connects with a jab.
Melkonian misses with a two punch combination.
Silva throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wanderlei Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
Silva falls off balance throwing a combination

and Melkonian counters with a shoot takedown. Silva fights it but they end up in guard.
Melkonian stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.

Silva is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Melkonian is aware though and is defending well.
Melkonian wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Melkonian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Silva is trying to control the position but Melkonian postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderlei Silva dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wanderlei Silva's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Silva fakes the leg kick and cracks Melkonian in the body.
Some wild striking there from Silva.
Melkonian is looking to clinch but Silva is avoiding it.
Melkonian is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Silva.
Melkonian lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Melkonian shoots in but Silva avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch combination from Silva misses.
Melkonian dodges the punch combination from Silva.
Melkonian takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Melkonian takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Melkonian looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Silva is fending him off so far but Melkonian persists. Nope, Silva circles away and we're back to standing.
Melkonian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melkonian is looking to clinch.
Melkonian changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Silva tries to avoid it but Melkonian manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Silva to the ground. Silva escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Melkonian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Melkonian is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Silva.
Nice jab there from Silva.
Silva throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Melkonian thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Silva if he has to take too many more of those.
Some bone on bone action there as Silva checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A head kick by Melkonian misses
and Silva counters with a one-two to the body.
Silva doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Melkonian counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Melkonian tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Silva defends well and Melkonian ends up having to push Silva into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Silva wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Melkonian has him pressed against the cage.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Melkonian has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Silva down to the mat. Silva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Melkonian chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Silva can pounce on him.
Silva is looking to clinch.

Melkonian clinches.
Melkonian prevents the takedown attempt.

Melkonian decides to pull guard.
Silva trying to control but Melkonian is working from the bottom.
Silva won't allow Melkonian to sweep him here.
Silva looking to pass the guard.
Melkonian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva 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.

Wanderlei Silva has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Silva fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Silva misses with a double jab.
Melkonian throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick by Silva misses
and Melkonian counters with a head kick.
Silva scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Melkonian shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Silva napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Melkonian tries to advance to mount but can't.
Silva felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Melkonian working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melkonian is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silva parries the strikes from Melkonian easily there. Melkonian is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Silva to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Melkonian stands up and beckons Silva to his feet.
Nice shot lands for Silva.
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 Monte Melkonian will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Wanderlei Silva's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Melkonian tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Silva manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Melkonian tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Melkonian has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Melkonian will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva tries to clinch but Melkonian is having none of it.
Silva fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Silva throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Melkonian decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Silva trying to hold on to Melkonian's head to control him but Melkonian postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Silva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Melkonian postures up in Silva's guard and throws a big left but Silva blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melkonian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Melkonian stops Silva from standing up.
Silva has control of Melkonian's left arm, preventing Melkonian from doing any damage.
Melkonian wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Silva tries to strike from the bottom.
Monte Melkonian overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Silva wants to stand and escape but Melkonian is having none of it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Melkonian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Silva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Wanderlei Silva wasn't active enough on the ground.
Melkonian misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Melkonian clinches.
Silva tries to circle away but Melkonian has him pinned against the cage.

Melkonian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Melkonian takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Monte Melkonian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Melkonian moves into the clinch.
Silva working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Melkonian is defending well for now.
Silva gets underhooks to prevent Melkonian's takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!

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

Silva clinches with his opponent.
Melkonian tries a body shot but Silva blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to break free.

Melkonian jumps into guard, dragging Silva to the mat.
Silva engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Melkonian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Silva is one step ahead there.
Silva lands a couple of digs.
Silva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Silva is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Wanderlei Silva.
A combination from Silva does no damage.
Silva tries to clinch but Melkonian moves out of range.
Silva throws a right hand that Melkonian ducks under and follows up with a left that Melkonian also avoids with ease.
Silva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Melkonian looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Silva is fending him off so far but Melkonian persists. Nope, Silva circles away and we're back to standing.
Silva looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melkonian misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Melkonian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva misses with a two punch combination.
Melkonian is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wanderlei Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Silva has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wanderlei Silva!