PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cristoff Melkovick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquin Herrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Herrera has chosen Daddy Yankee - Gasolina as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Melkovick
vs
Herrera

174 cm
24
149 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

180 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Supreme Nutrition
GREEN!160

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 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Cristoff Melkovick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joaquin Herrera!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Micheangelo Fripello and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herrera fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Melkovick.
Herrera misses with a low kick.
Melkovick takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice jab there from Melkovick.
Herrera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Melkovick.
Melkovick throws a hook but Herrera avoids it easily.
Melkovick lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Herrera has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Melkovick shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Herrera but Herrera pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Herrera doesn't manage to clinch there - Melkovick circles away.
Herrera tries to clinch but Melkovick moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herrera scores with a nice right hand.

Herrera moves into the clinch.
Herrera lands a damaging elbow.

Herrera pulls guard successfully.
Melkovick is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Holding Cell that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Herrera had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Melkovick defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herrera is pulling down on Melkovick's head to control his posture.
Melkovick distracts Herrera with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Herrera keeping full guard, as Melkovick tries to pass.
Herrera not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Herrera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Melkovick is working Herrera over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Herrera is trying to keep Melkovick in close.

Herrera looking for subs off his back but Melkovick has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herrera is trying to control but can't.
Melkovick drops an elbow to the side of Herrera's head.
Melkovick scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Melkovick thows a huge punch but Herrera dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herrera tries to roll over but Melkovick keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melkovick not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Herrera wants to get back to full guard but Melkovick has mounted him!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Melkovick working the ground and pound effectively.
Herrera is looking to improve his position but Melkovick isn't that keen on the idea.
Herrera sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Melkovick landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Melkovick throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Melkovick knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Herrera on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herrera wants to improve his position but Melkovick is controlling well.

Herrera looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Herrera is looking to improve his position.
Herrera taking some punishment here, with Melkovick in his half guard.
Melkovick looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Herrera is rocked!

Melkovick looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Herrera is still in real trouble! Can Melkovick finish him?
Melkovick looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Herrera with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Melkovick takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Melkovick lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt Herrera quite badly. Herrera pulls Melkovick in close trying to recover. Melkovick postures up and lands two really hard shots that put Herrera on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but Herrera doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cristoff Melkovick!
An out of breath Cristoff Melkovick thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.