PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gino Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andres Gatmaitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Melendez
vs
Gatmaitan

156 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

194 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gino Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Andres Gatmaitan!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatmaitan tries to clinch but Melendez is having none of it.
Gatmaitan throws a head kick that misses.

Melendez drives through with a takedown into Gatmaitan's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Melendez is in close to Gatmaitan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Melendez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Melendez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gatmaitan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Melendez scoring with punches to the head and body.
Melendez really is a fat lump.
Melendez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Melendez won't allow Gatmaitan to sweep him here.
Melendez distracts Gatmaitan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Melendez lands a couple of elbows.
Melendez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Melendez works over Gatmaitan with some ground and pound from guard.
Melendez scoring with punches to the head and body.
Melendez connects with a couple of short punches.
Melendez with a nice head shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melendez works over Gatmaitan with some ground and pound from guard.

Gatmaitan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Melendez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gatmaitan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Melendez 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.
Melendez stands up over Gatmaitan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez lands a couple of digs.
Gatmaitan looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Melendez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Melendez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Melendez gets to his feet. Gatmaitan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Melendez rushes Gatmaitan and presses him up against the cage.
Melendez is trying to break the clinch but Gatmaitan has him pressed against the cage.
Melendez is trying to push Gatmaitan away but Gatmaitan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gatmaitan stops a takedown attempt from Melendez.
Melendez wants a takedown.

Melendez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Melendez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gatmaitan sprawls well initially but Melendez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gatmaitan taking some punishment here, with Melendez in his half guard.
Gatmaitan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Melendez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Melendez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gatmaitan tries to get to full guard but Melendez has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Melendez 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.
Gatmaitan taking some punishment here, with Melendez in his half guard.
Gatmaitan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatmaitan keeps trying to improve his position.

Melendez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Melendez working Gatmaitan over with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Melendez lands a nice short elbow.
Ground and pound from Melendez.
Melendez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Melendez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gatmaitan is trying to get back to full guard.

Melendez decides to stand up.
Melendez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Melendez fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gatmaitan to the ground. Melendez is now in Gatmaitan's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatmaitan wants to stand and escape but Melendez is having none of it.
Melendez with a nice head shot there.

Gatmaitan is looking for a triangle but Melendez pushes his legs off easily.
Gatmaitan looks winded!
Melendez is working Gatmaitan over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Melendez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Melendez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gatmaitan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Melendez is one step ahead there.
Melendez working some strikes from top position.
Melendez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gatmaitan wants to sweep here but Melendez controlling him for the moment.
Melendez cracks Gatmaitan with a solid left hand.
Melendez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Melendez stands up over Gatmaitan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Melendez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Melendez cracks Gatmaitan with a solid left hand.
Gatmaitan wants to sweep but no luck.
Melendez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Melendez stopping the sweep attempt from Gatmaitan.
Melendez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Melendez lands a couple of elbows.
Melendez with a nice head shot there.
Melendez stands up over Gatmaitan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Melendez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Melendez stands up over Gatmaitan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Melendez postures up and lands a big shot to Gatmaitan's brow.
Melendez works over Gatmaitan with some ground and pound from guard.
Gatmaitan looking for a sweep. Not yet Gatmaitan, not yet.

Gatmaitan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melendez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gino Melendez 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.

Melendez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Melendez lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gatmaitan down.

Melendez is trying to get an arm triangle but Gatmaitan is defending well.

Melendez stands up.
Melendez avoids the head kick by Gatmaitan.
Melendez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gatmaitan defends well and Melendez ends up having to push Gatmaitan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gatmaitan throws a head kick but Melendez moves out of range.
Andres Gatmaitan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatmaitan scores with a head kick. Melendez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Gino Melendez has been cut.
Gatmaitan moves to clinch but Melendez breaks away
and Melendez counters with a left and a right that stings Gatmaitan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gatmaitan but Gatmaitan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Melendez blocks a head kick by Gatmaitan.
Gatmaitan is breathing heavily.
Nice defenses there by Melendez.
Melendez throws a big counter combination but Gatmaitan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Melendez gets a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatmaitan is trying to get back to full guard.
Melendez working the head and body with strikes.
Gino Melendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Melendez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gatmaitan is looking for a sweep. Melendez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Melendez wants to work for an arm triangle but Gatmaitan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Melendez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Melendez working Gatmaitan over with strikes.

Melendez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Melendez is nestled in close to Gatmaitan, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Melendez is trying to work for a kimura but Gatmaitan is defending well.
Gatmaitan wants to improve his position but Melendez is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Melendez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Melendez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gatmaitan is just riding it out for now. Melendez eventually gives up the hold.
Gatmaitan wants to improve his position but Melendez is controlling well.
Gatmaitan taking some punishment here, with Melendez in his half guard.

Melendez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gatmaitan tries to roll over but Melendez keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez winds up and cracks Gatmaitan with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gatmaitan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Melendez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gatmaitan wants to sweep but no luck.
Gatmaitan has momentary wrist control but Melendez slips an elbow through the middle.
Melendez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gatmaitan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Gatmaitan working for a triangle but Melendez defends it easily.
Melendez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Melendez with a nice head shot there.
Melendez with a nice head shot there.
Melendez is working Gatmaitan over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Melendez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gatmaitan can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Melendez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Melendez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gatmaitan's head.
Melendez chips away with some ground and pound.
Melendez with a nice head shot there.
Melendez connects with a couple of short punches.
Melendez landing with the ground and pound.

Gatmaitan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Melendez defends well.
Melendez landing some decent shots from guard.
Melendez working some strikes from top position.
Melendez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Melendez lands a couple of digs.
Melendez lands a couple of elbows.
Melendez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gino Melendez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gino Melendez's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Gatmaitan throws a head kick but Melendez moves out of range.
Melendez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Gatmaitan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Melendez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gatmaitan stuffs the takedown attempt from Melendez. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet.
Gatmaitan tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Melendez counters with a two punch combo.
Gatmaitan tries to clinch there but Melendez circles away.
Gatmaitan tries a head kick but it misses.

Melendez closes the distance and clinches.

Melendez pulls guard successfully.
Melendez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Melendez is nestled in close to Gatmaitan, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gatmaitan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!

Melendez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gatmaitan defends it well.

Melendez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gatmaitan has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Melendez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gatmaitan is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Melendez scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gatmaitan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Melendez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gatmaitan with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Melendez is looking for a kimura but Gatmaitan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Melendez to get the leverage.

Melendez seems to be looking for submissions.
Gatmaitan is looking to improve his position.
Gatmaitan taking some punishment here, with Melendez in his half guard.

Melendez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Melendez working over Gatmaitan with some ground and pound. Gatmaitan looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatmaitan wants to get back to full guard.
Melendez is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gatmaitan is looking to improve his position.

Gatmaitan is defending against the submission attempts here by Melendez.
Gatmaitan is looking for a sweep. Melendez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Melendez wants to work for an arm triangle but Gatmaitan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Melendez is looking for a kimura here.
Gatmaitan taking some punishment here, with Melendez in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Melendez stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Gatmaitan to get to his feet.
Melendez walks into a left hand.
Nice straight punches there by Gatmaitan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gatmaitan.

Melendez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Melendez showed some decent athleticism there.

Melendez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gatmaitan wants to get back to his feet.
Gatmaitan is trying to get back to full guard.

Melendez is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Gatmaitan is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gino Melendez!