PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Madness (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilbert Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Madness comes to the cage accompanied by SHOWDOWN . Melendez has chosen Eminem - Survival as his entrance music. James Madness has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Madness
vs
Melendez

190 cm
26
155 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

175 cm
31
160 lbs
15 - 6 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Madness!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gilbert Melendez!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Melendez duly obliges.
Madness tries to score with a low kick but Melendez moves his leg out of the way.
Madness looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Madness thows a body shot but no joy.
Melendez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Melendez throws a right hand that Madness ducks under and follows up with a left that Madness also avoids with ease.
Melendez slips under a jab.
Melendez checks the leg kick nicely there.
Melendez misses with a wild combination.
Madness missing with a left hand there. Melendez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Melendez misses with a series of wild punches.
Madness fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madness pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Madness looks to throw the jab but Melendez is out of range.
Melendez stuffs the takedown attempt from Madness. Madness gets slowly back to his feet.
Madness throws a lazy uppercut
and Melendez counters with a two punch combo.
Madness throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Madness really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Melendez stuffs the takedown.
Madness walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Melendez checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Gilbert Melendez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Madness tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Melendez swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Madness. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Madness shoots in for a takedown but Melendez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Melendez swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Madness.
The crowd cheers as Melendez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Madness doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madness thows a left - swing and a miss!
Melendez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Madness misses with a hook.
A combination from Madness does no damage.
Madness throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
James Madness seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Madness throws a leg kick but Melendez checks it.

Madness gets a takedown into half guard.
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!

Madness seems to be looking for submissions.
Melendez scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Madness manages to mount him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madness throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Madness moves to take his opponent's back.

Madness is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Melendez knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Melendez for a finish.
Melendez is trying to get back to his feet but Madness has full control of the position and if anything, Melendez has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Melendez is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Madness gets his way!

Melendez defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Melendez fending off the submission attempt from Madness.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Madness struggling to keep hold of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Madness dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Madness works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Melendez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Madness finds it's way round the side to connect with Melendez's head.
Madness fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Madness misses with a right hand
and Melendez counters with a left to the body.
Madness swings for the body but Melendez moves out of range.
Madness misses with a takedown attempt - Melendez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Madness swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Melendez to counter with a crisp jab.
Madness shoots in for a takedown but Melendez shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Madness. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Madness misses with a few strikes there.
Madness gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Melendez to counter with a crisp jab.
Melendez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madness on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Madness throws a body punch but Melendez moves out of range.
Madness fails to land with a series of punches.
Melendez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Melendez changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Melendez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Madness looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Melendez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Madness will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A jab from Melendez finds it's way through Madness's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Madness misses the target.
Madness changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Melendez tries to avoid it but Madness manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Melendez to the ground. Melendez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Madness shoots in for a takedown but Melendez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Melendez scores with a one two! Madness had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Melendez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Melendez does no damage.
Melendez staying out of range there.
Madness misses with a left hand
and Melendez counters with a series of strikes. Madness will be more careful next time no doubt.
James Madness is winning the standup battle so far.
Madness takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Some wild striking there from Melendez.
Melendez fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madness tries to land a front kick but Melendez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Melendez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Madness fails with the takedown.
Madness throws a front kick aimed at Melendez's knee but Melendez avoids it well.
Madness has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Madness there as he acknowledges the shot.
Madness lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Melendez circles away quickly and effectively.
Madness missing with a left hand there. Melendez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Melendez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Madness circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Madness throws a leg kick but Melendez sees it coming and moves out of range.
Melendez ducks under a wild hook from Madness.
Madness throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Melendez.
Melendez throws a nice looking combination but Madness bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Decent striking displayed by Melendez there.
Melendez scores with a nice right hand.
Melendez lands with a cross.
Melendez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Madness tries to score a power double leg takedown but Melendez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Madness somewhat.
James Madness is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Madness throws a body kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gilbert Melendez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Madness tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Melendez was well out of range. Poor timing from Madness.
Madness smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Madness scores with a nice body kick.
Madness lands a nice looking body shot.
Madness misses with a looping right.
Melendez slips under a jab from Madness.
Madness throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Madness gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Melendez to counter with a crisp jab.
Melendez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Melendez stuns Madness with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Melendez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Madness.
Melendez loads up on a big right hand but Madness slips the punch.
Madness looks to throw the jab but Melendez is out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Melendez. Those never looked like landing.
Madness lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Melendez circles away quickly and effectively.
Madness swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Madness swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Melendez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Madness.
Melendez throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madness tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Melendez was well out of range. Poor timing from Madness.
A combination from Melendez does no damage.
Madness throws a right and a left that both miss.
Melendez looks to throw the jab but Madness is out of range.
Melendez might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Madness tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Madness fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Melendez manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Madness is defended easily by Melendez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Madness. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Madness throws a combination that misses
letting Melendez counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Madness misses with a wild body shot.
Melendez scores with a punch to the head.
Madness looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Madness fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Madness shoots for a double leg takedown but Melendez sprawls well. He's pushed Madness's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Melendez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Melendez looks to throw the jab but Madness is out of range.
Madness shoots for a takedown but Melendez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Madness will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Madness tries for a takedown but Melendez circles away easily
and Melendez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Melendez misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Madness misses with a takedown
and Melendez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Madness misses with a low kick.
Melendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Melendez throws a series of punches but Madness moves out of range.
Madness shoots in but Melendez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Melendez cracks Madness with an open hand slap.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Madness ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Melendez moves away.
A right-left combo lands from Melendez.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to James Madness.
Well Madness has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gilbert Melendez!
Gilbert Melendez thanked the fans post fight for their support.