PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cotiso Tapae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rock Mellon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tapae
vs
Mellon

182 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cotiso Tapae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rock Mellon !
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapae shoots in looking for a takedown but Mellon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tapae's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tapae misses with a takedown attempt - Mellon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tapae fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mellon avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cotiso Tapae. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tapae gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mellon counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tapae thinking.
Tapae misses with a takedown attempt
and Mellon counters with a big head kick but Tapae shrugs it off.
Tapae shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tapae or perhaps it was just good defense by Mellon , which made it look bad.
Tapae is breathing heavily.
Mellon shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapae looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mellon is fending him off so far but Tapae persists. Nope, Mellon circles away and we're back to standing.
Tapae goes for a double leg but Mellon avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mellon continues to drive forward.
Mellon with the counter takedown but Tapae avoids it easily.
Mellon dives in for a single leg takedown but Tapae sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mellon fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mellon moves into range and clinches up with Tapae.
Mellon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tapae fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Tapae as Mellon shoots in.
Tapae shoots in for a takedown but Mellon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tapae shoots and misses
and Mellon counters with a three punch combo that has Tapae backing up. Tapae nods at Mellon to acknowledge the strikes.
Mellon fails with a takedown attempt.
Tapae dives in for a single leg takedown but Mellon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tapae throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mellon 's waist but Mellon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tapae off to one side.
Mellon fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tapae gets caught napping as Mellon dives in and scores a takedown. Tapae manages to retain guard.
Mellon engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Tapae keeping moving, preventing Mellon from controlling successfully.
Tapae bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mellon 's guard.
Tapae with a nice head shot there.
Tapae throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mellon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tapae pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mellon is keeping the position for now.
Tapae is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mellon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tapae is one step ahead there.
Tapae throws a big right hand that misses.
Tapae lands a couple of elbows.
Mellon can't keep his opponent in guard - Tapae advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mellon makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mellon .
Tapae 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.
Mellon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tapae.

That's four 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.
Tapae is looking to work some ground and pound but Mellon has wrist control.
Tapae postures up and lands a big shot to Mellon 's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tapae lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mellon wants to sweep here but Tapae controlling him for the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tapae's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tapae scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mellon trying to control the position.
Tapae postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mellon is looking to stand up but Tapae isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tapae passes into half guard.
Mellon really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tapae. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tapae lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Mellon dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tapae shoots in but no luck this time.
Mellon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mellon lands with a kick to the temple. Tapae shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Cotiso Tapae is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tapae has his takedown stuffed
and Mellon counters with a right hand to the body.
Tapae closes the distance and clinches up with Mellon , looking for a takedown. Tapae pushes Mellon against the cage but Mellon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cotiso Tapae. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mellon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tapae swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Mellon has managed to clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Mellon .
Mellon stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mellon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tapae.
Mellon landing knees to the head.

It looks like Cotiso Tapae has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mellon lands a shot to the body.

Mellon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tapae misses with a takedown
and Mellon counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tapae thinking.
Mellon has a takedown stuffed.
Tapae shoots for a double leg takedown but Mellon sprawls well. He's pushed Tapae's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tapae looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tapae has a takedown stuffed.

Mellon instigates a clinch.
Mellon drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mellon .
Mellon taking a breather.
Mellon gets underhooks to prevent Tapae's takedown attempt.

Mellon breaks from the clinch.
Tapae shoots in for a takedown but Mellon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tapae looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mellon fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tapae is defended easily by Mellon .

Mellon moves into the clinch.
Tapae goes for a takedown attempt but Mellon pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tapae fails with a takedown attempt.
Mellon lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapae misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Mellon rushes Tapae and presses him up against the cage.
Tapae wants a takedown.

Mellon 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rock Mellon seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Mellon takes the fight into the clinch.
Mellon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tapaes head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tapae drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mellon tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Mellon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cotiso Tapae's cut.
That's time! Tapae's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tapae gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mellon counters with a nice body shot.

Tapae shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mellon is trying to defend but Tapae finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Mellon makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Mellon is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tapae rather than just go for the knockout.

Mellon moves into range and clinches up with Tapae.
Mellon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tapae wants a takedown but no success here.
Tapae goes for a takedown attempt but Mellon pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cotiso Tapae. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapae tries for a takedown but Mellon circles away easily
and Mellon counters with a straight right hand.
Mellon turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mellon .
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapae throws a series of punches but Mellon avoids them all with ease.
Tapae misses with a takedown attempt - Mellon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tapae sets himself, and Mellon steps forward looking for the clinch! Tapae avoids it this time.

Mellon moves into the clinch.

Mellon pulls guard.

Mellon is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Mellon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mellon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tapae, pushing him back against the cage.
Tapae takes an elbow to the temple.
Tapae is working for takedown but Mellon is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mellon breaks from the clinch.
Tapae stuffs the takedown.

Tapae shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Tapae was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Mellon throws Tapae to one side and escapes!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mellon shoots in and drives through. Tapae sprawls well.

Tapae changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mellon looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Mellon sneaks out the side door and pushes Tapae away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Tapae looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mellon is fending him off so far but Tapae persists. Nope, Mellon circles away and we're back to standing.

Mellon has closed the distance and engaged Tapae in a clinch.
Mellon stalls.
Tapae wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mellon tries a body shot but Tapae blocks it.
Mellon lands an elbow that stopped Tapae in his tracks for a moment.
Tapae is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mellon is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Mellon jumps guard but Tapae turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Tapae tightens his grip and picks Mellon up, before dumping him to the ground. Mellon manages to land in guard.

Mellon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tapae is aware though and is defending well.
Mellon keeping moving, preventing Tapae from controlling successfully.
Mellon trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Cotiso Tapae has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mellon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tapae landing with the ground and pound.
Tapae with a nice head shot there.
Tapae distracts Mellon with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tapae is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mellon working a defensive guard here.
Tapae lands a couple of digs.
Mellon thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Rock Mellon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tapae cracks Mellon with a solid left hand.

Tapae drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tapae jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rock Mellon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mellon winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rock Mellon !