PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Mellis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Blackwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Tom Blackwell enters the cage!

Mellis
vs
Blackwell

190 cm
27
217 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
29
270 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

GRAND Royal Wear

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Mellis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Blackwell!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mellis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mellis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Blackwell counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mellis won't be happy with that.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Blackwell is looking to take a break and control but Mellis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Blackwell working the strikes but Mellis uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Blackwell thows a huge punch but Mellis dodges it nicely.
Mellis is looking to escape.
Blackwell lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
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!
Mellis trying to hold on to Blackwell's head to control him but Blackwell postures up.
Mellis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Blackwell.
Mellis regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Blackwell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackwell chips away with some ground and pound.
Blackwell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Blackwell trying to control the position from guard on top but Mellis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blackwell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mellis looking to control.
Blackwell scoring with some ground and pound.
Blackwell is in close to Mellis's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Blackwell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mellis on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mellis tries to get out of the position.
Mellis keeping moving, preventing Blackwell from controlling successfully.
Blackwell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mellis trying to keep a closed guard but Blackwell is proving a slippery customer.
Blackwell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mellis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Blackwell trying to control but Mellis is working from the bottom.
Mellis trying to control the position.
Mellis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blackwell.
Blackwell lands a couple of elbows.
Blackwell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Blackwell trying to control but Mellis is working from the bottom.
Mellis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blackwell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackwell looking to sit in guard and control but Mellis gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mellis throws a big right hand that misses.
Blackwell seems keen to control Mellis's posture.

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

Blackwell escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mellis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Blackwell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mellis.
Mellis landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mellis content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Blackwell is looking to stand up but Mellis isn't so interested in that idea.

Blackwell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mellis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mellis 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.
Mellis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Blackwell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mellis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mellis is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Blackwell escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mellis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mellis postures up and lands a big shot to Blackwell's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Blackwell dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mellis shoots and misses

and Blackwell counters with a shoot takedown. Mellis fights it but they end up in guard.
Mellis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mellis keeping moving, preventing Blackwell from controlling successfully.
Blackwell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Mellis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Blackwell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Blackwell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mellis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Mellis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Blackwell defends well.
Mellis pulls Blackwell in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackwell drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mellis looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mellis looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mellis!
Blackwell tries to bench press Mellis off him but Mellis keeps the position.
Blackwell can't do much from the bottom here.
Mellis scoring with punches and elbows.
Blackwell is trying to improve his position.
Mellis misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Blackwell struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackwell is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Mellis scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tom Blackwell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Blackwell is pressing down on Mellis's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mellis is looking to work some ground and pound but Blackwell has wrist control.
Blackwell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mellis passes Blackwell's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Blackwell looking for submissions off his back.
Blackwell is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mellis scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mellis throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mellis lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mellis lands strikes from half guard.
Blackwell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mellis is working away from the top position though.
Mellis working Blackwell over with strikes.
Nice strikes from Mellis there.
Blackwell gets full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mellis's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Mellis lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blackwell throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Blackwell working for submissions but it's allowed Mellis to get to half guard.
Mellis not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackwell moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mellis has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mellis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mellis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blackwell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blackwell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Blackwell is on top in guard.
Blackwell is in close to Mellis's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blackwell pushes down on Mellis's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Blackwell connects with a nice short shot to Mellis's temple.
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 Ryan Mellis will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mellis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mellis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mellis closes the distance and clinches up with Blackwell, looking for a takedown. Mellis pushes Blackwell against the cage but Blackwell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Mellis. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mellis closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mellis lands in his opponent's guard.
Mellis postures up and lands a big shot to Blackwell's brow.

Blackwell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mellis defends it easily.
Mellis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mellis with a nice head shot there.
Blackwell manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackwell pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Mellis tries to hold on but Blackwell pushes him away.
Blackwell lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Blackwell can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mellis is looking to escape.
Mellis takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

It looks like Ryan Mellis has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blackwell lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Mellis hang on?

Ryan Mellis's cut is getting worse.

Blackwell swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tom Blackwell!