PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gus Pappas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cristoff Melkovick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Cristoff Melkovick was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Pappas
vs
Melkovick

172 cm
32
157 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

174 cm
28
149 lbs
10 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gus Pappas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Cristoff Melkovick!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pappas swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Melkovick looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pappas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Melkovick looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Melkovick bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Pappas sneaks out the side door and pushes Melkovick away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Pappas misses with the combination.
Pappas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Melkovick counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pappas falls off balance throwing a combination
and Melkovick cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A clash of legs there as Melkovick blocks the low kick.
Pappas avoids the body shot from Melkovick.
Pappas throws a lazy right hand but Melkovick sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pappas looks to land a combination but Melkovick avoids it well.
Pappas buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Pappas misses with an uppercut
and Melkovick counters with a straight right hand.
Melkovick takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas wants to slow Melkovick down by chopping away at his legs.
Pappas connects with the punch.
Pappas lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Melkovick swings for the body but Pappas moves out of range.
Pappas throws a leg kick but Melkovick sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A nice side step and Melkovick releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Pappas throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Melkovick lands with a hook. Pappas tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Pappas swings for the body but Melkovick moves out of range.
Pappas scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Melkovick scores with a takedown into Pappas's guard.
Melkovick scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pappas wants to stand but Melkovick is controlling the position.
Melkovick is fighting to break Pappas's control of his arms but Pappas is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melkovick trying to control the position from guard on top but Pappas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Melkovick preventing the sweep.
Melkovick lands a couple of elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Melkovick postures up and lands a big shot to Pappas's brow.
Pappas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Melkovick has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pappas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Melkovick throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Melkovick throws an elbow that misses. Pappas uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Melkovick's guard. Nice move by Pappas!

Melkovick 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Melkovick is striking off his back. Pappas thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Pappas prevents Melkovick from improving his position.
Pappas is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Melkovick trying to hold on to Pappas's head to control him but Pappas postures up.
Pappas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

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.
It looks like Pappas is going to stand back up.
Melkovick is trying to maintain the position but Pappas is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pappas is stalling here. Melkovick is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Pappas seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Melkovick has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The strikes coming from Melkovick are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Melkovick postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Melkovick scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pappas to see if he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gus Pappas dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pappas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Melkovick ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice cross by Pappas.
Pappas falls off balance throwing a combination
and Melkovick connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pappas throws a leg kick
and Melkovick counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Melkovick scores with a hook to the body. Pappas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Pappas throws the left hand but Melkovick avoids the punch easily.
Melkovick takes one to the side of the head.
Pappas works Melkovick's body with a nice hook.
Danga de danga de dang - Pappas scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pappas throws a low kick but it's checked well by Melkovick.
Pappas throws a series of punches but Melkovick moves out of range.
Melkovick slips under a jab from Pappas.
Melkovick appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Pappas looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Melkovick drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Melkovick pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pappas is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melkovick won't allow Pappas to get back to his feet.
Pappas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Melkovick postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Melkovick throws a big elbow that misses.
Melkovick trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pappas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pappas seems keen to control Melkovick's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pappas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Melkovick! But no joy.
Pappas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Pappas lands with a straight right. Melkovick didn't see that one coming.
Melkovick looks to score with a jab to the body but Pappas is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pappas jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Melkovick lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Melkovick misses with a straight left.
The fighters circle momentarily. Pappas darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Pappas rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Melkovick counter with a right hand.
Pappas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pappas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pappas misses with a lunging right hand
and Melkovick counters with a stiff right hand.
Pappas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pappas misses with a lunging right hand
and Melkovick counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pappas throws a chopping leg kick but Melkovick manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Melkovick scores with a jab. Pappas acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Melkovick ducks right into an uppercut from Pappas.
Pappas throws a leg kick
and Melkovick counters with a straight right hand.
Gus Pappas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melkovick misses with a straight right.
Pappas throws a front kick aimed at Melkovick's knee but Melkovick avoids it well.
Gus Pappas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Melkovick thuds his right hand into Pappas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Melkovick lands a nice hook to Pappas's body. Pappas takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pappas just misses with a punch to the body.
Melkovick takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Pappas misses the shot to the body.
Melkovick throws a body punch but Pappas moves out of range.
Pappas seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Pappas misses with a wild body shot.
A clash of legs there as Melkovick blocks the low kick.
Pappas slips a straight right by Melkovick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pappas.
Gus Pappas is winning the standup battle so far.
Melkovick wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pappas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Melkovick counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pappas misses with a double jab
and Melkovick counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Pappas.
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!
Pappas misses with a low kick as Melkovick jumps back.
Melkovick is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Pappas with a body shot.
Pappas throws a series of punches but Melkovick moves out of range.
Pappas misses with a jab, cross combination.
A big right from Melkovick misses.
No joy there for Pappas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pappas throws a looping overhand right but Melkovick ducks down to avoid it.
Pappas walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Melkovick checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Melkovick looks to land a right hand but Pappas moved out of range.

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

Pappas bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Donk. Pappas catches Melkovick right on the button with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gus Pappas dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Melkovick on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pappas takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Melkovick loads up on a big right hand but Pappas slips the punch.
Pappas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Melkovick's hands.
Pappas misses with a double jab.
Pappas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Melkovick circles away quickly and effectively.
Pappas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Melkovick moves away.
A little jabbing left from Melkovick on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Pappas slips a jab from Melkovick.
Pappas connects with a body shot.
Pappas connects with a right hand. Melkovick shakes it off.
Melkovick throws out a loose jab but Pappas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pappas missing with a left hand there. Melkovick was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Melkovick shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pappas napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Pappas sneaks out the side door and pushes Melkovick away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Melkovick displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pappas throws out the jab.
Melkovick throws out a counter right but Pappas avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas moves away from the strike by Melkovick.
Melkovick wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pappas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pappas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A left lands for Melkovick.
Pappas throws a head kick that misses
and Melkovick counters with a nice uppercut.
Pappas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pappas misses with a leg kick
and Melkovick counters with a nice uppercut.
Pappas throws a jab when Melkovick was well out of range.
Pappas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pappas buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gus Pappas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Melkovick throws a lazy uppercut
and Pappas counters with a three punch combo that has Melkovick backing up. Melkovick nods at Pappas to acknowledge the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pappas lands a nice looking kick to the body. Melkovick takes a step back to recover.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pappas thows a leg kick but Melkovick checks it

and Melkovick counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pappas wants to get back to his feet but Melkovick passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melkovick throwing shots but Pappas is blocking nicely.
Melkovick looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pappas with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Melkovick takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Pappas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Melkovick scores with a couple of nice shots.
Melkovick scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Melkovick wants to control but Pappas is keeping him busy.
Melkovick might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Pappas haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Melkovick not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas is not content to let Melkovick control the position.
Melkovick not doing much here.
Melkovick missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gus Pappas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Melkovick is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Melkovick not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pappas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Melkovick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Melkovick working over Pappas with some ground and pound. Pappas looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Pappas is staying active underneath Melkovick, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pappas wants to improve his position but Melkovick is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pappas moves out of range of the strikes.
Pappas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Melkovick.
Pappas throws a body shot but no joy.
Pappas misses with a double jab
and Melkovick connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pappas throws a low kick but it's checked well by Melkovick.
Melkovick swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pappas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Melkovick.
Melkovick bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cristoff Melkovick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pappas misses with a hook
and Melkovick counters with a stiff right hand.
Melkovick throws a looping overhand right but Pappas ducks down to avoid it.

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 Gus Pappas.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pappas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gus Pappas!
Gus Pappas managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Pitt Nutrition 160Q! 10% Laundry plus fees!!!, into his post fight interview.