PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Renan Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy DeStefano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sammy DeStefano will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Melo
vs
DeStefano

159 cm
18
137 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Darkness

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Renan Melo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Sammy DeStefano!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
DeStefano keeps the fight on the outside.
Melo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Melo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Melo walks into a straight right hand from DeStefano.
DeStefano fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

DeStefano rushes Melo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
DeStefano gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Melo.
DeStefano misses with some punches.
DeStefano misses with a punch on the inside.
Melo is trying to pull guard but DeStefano has him pressed against the cage.

Melo jumps guard and drags DeStefano to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeStefano trying to control but Melo is working from the bottom.
Melo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. DeStefano manages to get himself to full guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Melo trying to control the position from guard on top but DeStefano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
DeStefano is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Melo trying to control the position from guard on top but DeStefano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DeStefano can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Melo controls the pace.
Melo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
DeStefano looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Melo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so DeStefano is just riding it out for now. Melo eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
DeStefano tries to get to full guard but Melo has control of the leg.

Melo is looking for a kimura here.
DeStefano wants to improve his position but Melo is controlling well.

Melo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Melo wants to lay and pray for a moment but DeStefano keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because DeStefano is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Melo is really struggling to control DeStefano but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Melo stalling.
Melo passes to full mount!
DeStefano is desperately trying to improve his position but Melo has a good base and remains in mount.
DeStefano is squirming around, avoiding Melo's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo controlling from mount.

Melo is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. DeStefano can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Melo wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Melo controlling the pace for now.
DeStefano wants to control but Melo is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Melo tries to control but DeStefano wriggling away.
Melo takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Renan Melo will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Melo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Melo looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
DeStefano jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Melo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but DeStefano defends well and Melo ends up having to push DeStefano into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
DeStefano lands a body punch.
Melo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renan Melo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Melo wants to stall.
A nice left hand lands by DeStefano.
A short uppercut from DeStefano.
DeStefano throws a head punch that misses.
Melo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by DeStefano after a bit of a struggle.
DeStefano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
DeStefano is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. DeStefano avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
DeStefano misses with a punch on the inside.
Melo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as DeStefano walks away with a smile on his face. Melo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
DeStefano tries to clinch up.
Melo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
DeStefano lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Melo circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeStefano closes the distance and lands a one-two.
DeStefano scores with a jab to the jaw.
DeStefano digs a good hook to Melo's body.
DeStefano fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Melo shoots in for a takedown but DeStefano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
DeStefano digs a good body shot into Melo's ribs.
DeStefano avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd cheers as DeStefano lands an impressive looking overhand right. Melo doesn't seem phased though.
DeStefano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by DeStefano!
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!

DeStefano moves into the clinch.

Melo manages to pull guard.
Melo wants to sweep but no luck.
DeStefano wants to control from the top but Melo keeps moving.
DeStefano stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Melo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but DeStefano can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Melo looking to hit a scissor sweep but DeStefano is one step ahead there.
Melo working a defensive guard here.

Melo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. DeStefano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Melo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Melo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. DeStefano is aware though and is defending well.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeStefano is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Melo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Melo wants to lay and pray for a moment but DeStefano keeps working.
Melo moves into full mount! DeStefano won't be happy about that!
DeStefano really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
DeStefano is still trying to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo wants to take DeStefano's back but he can't do it this time.
DeStefano holds on to Melo around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Renan Melo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Melo jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but DeStefano manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Melo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, DeStefano has escaped the position, nice work there.
DeStefano can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy DeStefano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

DeStefano lands with a nice combination. Melo backs away looking to recover.
DeStefano darts in trying to clinch

and Melo counters with a nice double leg into side control. DeStefano won't be happy with that.

Melo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but DeStefano is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Melo is trying to get an arm triangle but DeStefano is defending well.
DeStefano is not content to let Melo control the position.

Melo tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Melo has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Melo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by DeStefano, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
DeStefano can't do much from the bottom here.

Melo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Melo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Melo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by DeStefano, who protects the arm well.
Melo wants to control but DeStefano is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Melo is trying to get an arm triangle but DeStefano is defending well.
Melo trying to control the action but DeStefano is working from the bottom.

Melo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, DeStefano has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Melo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, DeStefano has escaped the position, nice work there.

Melo tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Melo has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
DeStefano is trying to control Melo's posture but Melo avoids it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Melo advances to mount.

Melo is working for a guillotine from mount but DeStefano frees his head quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeStefano is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Melo wants to control the pace but DeStefano is squirming around nicely.

Melo looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Melo working for a submission but DeStefano is keeping him at bay.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Melo working for a guillotine from mount but DeStefano is in no mood to give up.

Melo is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but DeStefano is surviving well by controlling Melo's body position as best he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Renan Melo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Melo 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renan Melo!
Renan Melo managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Darkness, into his post fight interview.