PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabio Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melo has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Josh Nogueira has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Melo
vs
Nogueira

177 cm
25
228 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Melo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josh Nogueira!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circle momentarily. Melo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Melo throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nogueira tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Melo is in Nogueira's guard.
Nogueira is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Nogueira is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Melo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melo fails with the takedown.
Melo is breathing heavily.
Nogueira 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.

Nogueira pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira is trying to control the position but Melo postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nogueira tries to strike from the bottom.
Melo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nogueira is looking to stand up but Melo isn't so interested in that idea.
Nogueira is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nogueira keeping moving, preventing Melo from controlling successfully.
Melo preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nogueira is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nogueira is trying to control the action in half guard but Melo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Melo is looking for a sweep. Nogueira is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nogueira wants to take a breather but Melo is having none of it.
Melo pushes Nogueira off looking to stand but Nogueira dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Melo as Nogueira shoots in.
Melo leaves Nogueira with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fabio Melo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Nogueira.
Melo tries for a takedown but Nogueira sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira tries to clinch up but Melo circles away and keeps his distance.
Melo circles away from the clinch attempt
and Melo counters with a one-two to the body.
Nogueira tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Melo defends well and Nogueira ends up having to push Melo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Melo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nogueira wants a takedown but no success here.
Melo tries to circle away but Nogueira has him pinned against the cage.
Nogueira should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Nogueira looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Melo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nogueira after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira trying to control the position but instead, Melo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nogueira into the cage.
Nogueira is working for takedown but Melo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Melo fails to pull guard.
Nogueira tries to break free but Melo pushes him back against the cage.
Melo tries to pull guard but Nogueira won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nogueira gets control of Melo's arms and successfully pulls guard. Nogueira will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Nogueira is working an open guard so Melo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabio Melo dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Melo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nogueira tries to avoid it but Melo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nogueira to the ground. Nogueira escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Melo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A good leg kick by Nogueira.
Nogueira is looking to clinch.
Nogueira fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Melo avoids it really well and circles away.
Melo shoots in looking for a takedown but Nogueira manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Melo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabio Melo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nogueira shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Melo sprawls well. Melo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nogueira gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nogueira throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nogueira is looking to clinch but Melo is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nogueira is defended easily by Melo.
Fabio Melo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Melo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nogueira sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nogueira tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nogueira throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Melo's waist but Melo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nogueira off to one side.
Nogueira wants to clinch up but Melo keeps it at a distance.
Nogueira avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Melo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nogueira shoots in and drives through. Melo sprawls well.
Nogueira keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nogueira fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Melo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Melo swivels and escapes.
Fabio Melo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nogueira shoots for a takedown but Melo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Melo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nogueira is pressed up against the cage. Melo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nogueira down to the mat. Nogueira avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nogueira throws a head kick but Melo moves out of range.
Melo has a takedown stuffed.

Melo takes the fight into the clinch.
Melo can't get the takedown.
Melo prevents Nogueira from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira throws a punch but it's blocked by Melo.
Nogueira wants to break free but Melo has control.

Nogueira jumps guard.

Melo decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nogueira.
Melo shoots in and drives through. Nogueira sprawls well.
Nogueira fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Melo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo misses with a takedown attempt - Nogueira sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nogueira darts in looking for a takedown but Melo gets double underhooks and turns Nogueira into the cage.
Nogueira working hard to break the clinch.
Melo has Nogueira pressed against the cage, preventing Nogueira from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Melo wants a takedown but no success here.
Nogueira throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nogueira tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nogueira drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Melo gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Melo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Josh Nogueira 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Melo is defended easily by Nogueira.
Nogueira looks for a takedown but Melo sprawls well.
Melo shoots for a double leg takedown but Nogueira sprawls well. He's pushed Melo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nogueira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Melo is fending him off so far but Nogueira persists. Nope, Melo circles away and we're back to standing.
Nogueira fails with the takedown.
Fabio Melo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Nogueira.
Nice sprawl there from Melo as Nogueira shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nogueira misses with a takedown attempt - Melo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Melo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nogueira circles away.
Nogueira tries to clinch

and Melo moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melo stops a takedown attempt from Nogueira.
Nogueira fails to pull guard.
Melo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nogueira gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nogueira tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nogueira wants to stall.
Melo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nogueira after a bit of a struggle.

Nogueira has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Melo uses from the top position.
Melo stops Nogueira from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira wants to sweep here but Melo controlling him for the moment.

Nogueira looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Melo won't allow Nogueira to sweep him here.
Melo postures up.

Melo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nice sprawl there from Nogueira as Melo shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo looks for a takedown but Nogueira sprawls well.
Melo tries to clinch but Nogueira moves out of range.
Nogueira keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice takedown defense from Melo. No joy for Nogueira on that attempt.
Melo shoots in for a takedown but Nogueira shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Melo moves into the clinch.
Nogueira is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Melo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nogueira wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melo pulls guard effortlessly.
Melo keeping moving, preventing Nogueira from controlling successfully.
Nogueira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Melo is keeping the position for now.
Melo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nogueira is controlling him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Melo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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 Fabio Melo.
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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabio Melo!
Fabio Melo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.