PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Godbolt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergio Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Godbolt comes to the cage accompanied by Trenches by Pop Evil. Melo has chosen Go To Sleep by Eminem as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Godbolt
vs
Melo

186 cm
26
202 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

186 cm
31
196 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Godbolt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergio Melo!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melo clobbers Godbolt with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Melo throws a leg kick but Godbolt sees it coming and moves out of range.
Matthew Godbolt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Melo does no damage.
Melo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Godbolt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Godbolt throws a body punch but Melo moves out of range.
Godbolt lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Melo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Godbolt's calf.
Melo misses with a kick to the body.
Godbolt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice uppercut lands for Melo. That snapped Godbolt's head back.
Godbolt checks a leg kick.
Godbolt definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A decent looking cross lands there for Godbolt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Godbolt misses with a body shot.

Godbolt closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Melo's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Godbolt is pushing down on Melo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Melo is fighting to maintain full guard but Godbolt has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melo is refusing to be controlled, as Godbolt sits in half guard.
Godbolt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Melo wants to improve his position but Godbolt is controlling well.
Melo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Godbolt is working away from the top position though.
Godbolt trying to control from half guard but Melo is working away.
Godbolt controlling the action here.
Godbolt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Melo's head.
Godbolt throwing shots but Melo is blocking nicely.
Godbolt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Godbolt looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Godbolt working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Melo is pressing down on Godbolt's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Godbolt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Melo working for a triangle but Godbolt defends it easily.
Melo keeping moving, preventing Godbolt from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Godbolt lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Melo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Godbolt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Godbolt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo keeping moving, preventing Godbolt from controlling successfully.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Melo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Godbolt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Godbolt postures up.
Melo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Godbolt works over Melo with some ground and pound from guard.

Melo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Godbolt chips away with some ground and pound.
Godbolt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Melo is keeping the position for now.
Godbolt postures up in Melo's guard and throws a big left but Melo blocks it.
Godbolt is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Godbolt showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo keeping moving, preventing Godbolt from controlling successfully.
Godbolt won't allow Melo to sweep him here.
Godbolt distracts Melo with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Godbolt passes Melo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Melo throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Godbolt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Godbolt slips a nice elbow through Melo's hands, connecting with Melo's forehead.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Melo moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Godbolt postures up and lands a big shot to Melo's brow.
Melo has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Godbolt has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Godbolt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Godbolt just misses with a punch to the body.
Godbolt blocks a head kick by Melo.
Melo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Godbolt jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Godbolt scores with a body shot.
Godbolt shoots in for a takedown but Melo shows good takedown defense.
Godbolt keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Godbolt connects with a crisp jab.
Melo throws a head kick but Godbolt moves out of range.
Melo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Godbolt keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Godbolt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Godbolt chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Melo can pounce on him.

Godbolt fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Melo sprawls well initially but Godbolt persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Melo is trying to get back to full guard.
Godbolt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Melo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Melo trying to control from the bottom.
Melo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Melo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Godbolt manages to get himself to full guard.
Godbolt trying to keep a closed guard but Melo is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Melo tries to free his leg and advance position but Godbolt is retaining full guard.
Godbolt pulls Melo in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Godbolt looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Melo trying to control the position from guard on top but Godbolt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Godbolt blocks a head kick by Melo.
Godbolt throws a big shot that misses.
Melo ducks right into an uppercut from Godbolt.
Melo looks to land a right hand but Godbolt moved out of range.
Godbolt cracks Melo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Godbolt misses.
Godbolt misses with a hook.
Godbolt stuns Melo with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Godbolt throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Melo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Melo connects with a leg kick. Godbolt looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Godbolt closes this distance looking for a takedown but Melo circles away.
Godbolt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Melo tries to avoid it but Godbolt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Melo to the ground. Melo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Godbolt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Melo digs a good hook to Godbolt's body.
Melo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Godbolt connects with a body shot that sends Melo's belly button to the back.
Godbolt sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Melo pushes Godbolt away with a front kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Godbolt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo misses with a leg kick.
Melo keeps Godbolt at a distance using the push kick.
Melo attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Godbolt throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Melo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Melo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Godbolt scores with a takedown into Melo's guard.
Godbolt landing with the ground and pound.
Melo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Melo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Godbolt defends well.
Melo is looking to stand up but Godbolt isn't so interested in that idea.
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 Matthew Godbolt will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Jab by Godbolt.
Melo tries a head kick but it misses.
Melo throws a head kick that Godbolt semi-blocks.
Godbolt misses the body punch
and Melo counters with a low kick, right behind Godbolt 's knee.
Melo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Godbolt.
Godbolt shoots for a double leg takedown but Melo sprawls well. He's pushed Godbolt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Godbolt checks a low kick from Melo.
Godbolt looks to score with a jab to the body but Melo is just out of range.
Godbolt on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Melo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Godbolt connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Godbolt misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Godbolt connects with a body shot that sends Melo's belly button to the back.
Godbolt fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Godbolt ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Melo moves away.
Godbolt misses with a hook.
Godbolt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Melo.
Godbolt misses with a wild body shot.
Godbolt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Melo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Melo leaves Godbolt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Godbolt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Godbolt blocks a head kick by Melo.
Melo works the jab nicely.
Sergio Melo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthew Godbolt is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Godbolt closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Melo's guard.
Godbolt wants to control from the top but Melo keeps moving.
Godbolt engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Melo is trying to control the position but Godbolt postures up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Godbolt showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Matthew Godbolt just wasn't active enough.
Melo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Godbolt throws a body punch but Melo moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo throws a leg kick but Godbolt moved away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Melo.
Godbolt fails with a takedown attempt.
Melo clobbers Godbolt with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Melo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sergio Melo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Melo misses with a low kick.
Melo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Godbolt goes for a double leg but Melo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Melo continues to drive forward.

Melo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Melo throws a leg kick but Godbolt sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Godbolt, as that shot connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Godbolt connects with a crisp jab.
Godbolt shoots in looking for a takedown but Melo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Godbolt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Melo throws a one two combo.

It looks like Matthew Godbolt has been cut.
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!
Melo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Godbolt shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Godbolt trying to control but Melo is working from the bottom.
Melo striking off his back.
Godbolt engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Godbolt's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Melo throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sergio Melo.
I think Godbolt 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!