PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between El Matador (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renan Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melo has chosen Fireball - Pitbull as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matador
vs
Melo

164 cm
24
140 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

159 cm
25
145 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Decent elbows
Very strong

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

On Tap (160Q & Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, El Matador!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Renan Melo!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Dmitry Maklakov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Melo.
Melo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Matador shoots in for a takedown but Melo shows good takedown defense.
Decent striking displayed by Melo there.
Matador fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
El Matador seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Melo connects with a crisp jab.
No luck for Matador with that takedown attempt.
Melo thinks about the counter body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for El Matador. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Matador is defended easily by Melo.
Melo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Melo connects with a nice looking jab.
Melo has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Matador is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Matador darts in looking for a takedown but Melo gets double underhooks and turns Matador into the ropes.
Matador shoots in for a double leg but Melo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Melo throws out a counter right but Matador avoids it with no problem.
Matador is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melo throws out a powerful jab.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melo working for a triangle but Matador defends it easily.
Melo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Melo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Matador keeping moving, preventing Melo from controlling successfully.
Melo forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Matador is trying to stand up here but Melo is controlling him well.
Matador trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Melo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melo wants to pass to mount but Matador is defending the position.
Matador is trying to stand.

Melo wants to work for an arm triangle but Matador is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Matador wants to get back to his feet.
Melo trying to pass the guard but Matador defending well.
Matador is looking to escape.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Melo wants to take a breather but Matador is having none of it.
Matador pushes Melo off looking to stand but Melo dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matador closes this distance looking for a takedown but Melo circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Melo! But no joy.
Matador tries for a takedown but Melo circles away easily
and Matador takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matador will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Melo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Melo scores with a body shot.
Matador shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Melo as he avoids it easily.
A shot to the liver by Melo. Beautiful body shot.
Matador takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Matador takes a jab right on the kisser.
Melo leaves Matador with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It seemed like Melo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Melo lands with an overhand left.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melo scores with a nice right hand.

Matador is rocked!
Melo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Oh Matador is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Matador shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Melo as he jumps to the side.
We've been told by Matador's head coaches at Russian Fighting Community Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Melo drops Matador with a big left hand! Matador is injured, injured bad! Melo jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

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