PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dallas Bond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Melcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Bond
vs
Melcher

175 cm
52
159 lbs
29 - 20 - 0

186 cm
37
161 lbs
10 - 19 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dallas Bond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Jon Melcher!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Melcher throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bond was covering up waiting for the punch and Melcher finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Melcher postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bond seems keen to control Melcher's posture.
Melcher working some strikes from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Melcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Melcher missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Melcher throws a big right hand that misses.
Melcher is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bond has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Melcher scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Melcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Melcher working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Melcher postures up and lands a big shot to Bond's brow.
Bond working a defensive guard here.
Melcher throws an elbow that misses. Bond uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Melcher's guard. Nice move by Bond!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bond postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bond is looking to stand up but Melcher won't let him.
Melcher is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Melcher has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Bond off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Bond avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Melcher has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Bond is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Bond closes the distance and clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bond.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bond working Melcher over with knees to the body.

Melcher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bond attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bond avoids a punch combination nicely.
That kick from Bond tenderised Melcher's leg. Melcher is trying to keep his angry face on.
Melcher ducks under a wild hook from Bond.
Some wild striking there from Bond.
Melcher shoots in but Bond avoids the takedown attempt easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Melcher shoots in and bounces Bond off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Melcher has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Melcher missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Melcher throws a big elbow that misses.
Melcher content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bond is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bond utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Melcher with a nice head shot there.
Melcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Bond has wrist control.
Melcher scoring with some ground and pound.
Bond is breathing heavily.
Melcher lands a couple of elbows.
Melcher throwing strikes but missing.
Melcher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Melcher works over Bond with some ground and pound from guard.
Melcher connects with a couple of short punches.
Melcher is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melcher postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Melcher throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bond looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Melcher gets a double leg takedown into Bond's guard.
Melcher postures up and lands a big shot to Bond's brow.
Melcher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Melcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Melcher postures up in Bond's guard and throws a big left but Bond blocks it.
Bond might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Melcher working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bond's head.
Melcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Melcher lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Melcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Melcher is in close to Bond's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Melcher with a nice head shot there.
Melcher working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Melcher dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Melcher shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bond pinned against the cage. Bond gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bond misses the shot to the body.
Melcher looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Melcher shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bond sprawls well. Bond wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Melcher gets slowly back to his feet.
Dallas Bond has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jon Melcher.
Bond throws out a loose jab but Melcher uses good head movement to avoid it.

Melcher fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bond to the ground. Melcher is now in Bond's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Bond has wrist control.
Melcher throwing strikes but missing.
Melcher lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Melcher's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melcher working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Melcher lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bond preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bond working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Melcher.
Melcher distracts Bond with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Melcher is in close to Bond's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bond has momentary wrist control but Melcher slips an elbow through the middle.
Melcher working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bond's head.
Bond is trying to keep Melcher in close.
Bond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bond utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Melcher's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melcher stands up over Bond, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melcher lands a couple of elbows.
Melcher scoring with some ground and pound.
Melcher throwing strikes but missing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Melcher shoots in but Bond avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bond looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Bond gets off balance looking for a body kick
letting Melcher counter with a right hand.
Melcher fails to land the takedown.

Bond gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Melcher to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Melcher works over Bond with some ground and pound from guard.
Melcher distracts Bond with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Melcher landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melcher missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Melcher throwing strikes from guard but Bond blocks nicely.
Jon Melcher has got the better of the ground game so far.
Melcher working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bond's head.
Bond utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Melcher throws a big elbow that misses.
Melcher with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Melcher postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Melcher distracts Bond with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Melcher postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Melcher lands a couple of elbows.
Melcher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bond works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Melcher works over Bond with some ground and pound from guard.
Melcher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Melcher throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Melcher throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bond's waist but Bond gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Melcher off to one side.

Melcher shoots in and gets a takedown into Bond's guard.
Melcher lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Melcher connects with a couple of short punches.
Melcher scoring with some ground and pound.
Bond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Melcher lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Melcher connects with a couple of short punches.
Melcher loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Melcher chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Melcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Melcher postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Melcher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Melcher shoots in for a takedown but Bond shows good takedown defense.
Melcher throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bond's waist but Bond gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Melcher off to one side.

Bond moves into the clinch successfully.
Melcher wants to break the clinch but can't.
Melcher wants to get back to striking at distance but Bond won't allow it.
Melcher wants to get back to striking at distance but Bond won't allow it.
Melcher is trying to force a seperation but Bond has the dominant position.
Bond tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Melcher avoids it.
Melcher is trying to break free.
Bond lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Melcher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bond just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bond cracks the inside of Melcher's front leg.
Melcher is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bond sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dallas Bond has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jon Melcher.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bond leaves Melcher with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bond throws a right hand that misses
and Bond takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bond buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Melcher shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bond wants to sweep here but Melcher controlling him for the moment.
Melcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Melcher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Melcher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bond works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Melcher scoring with punches to the head and body.
Melcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bond utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Melcher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bond works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Melcher will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Melcher shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bond napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Dallas Bond has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melcher looks up at the clock and then as Bond takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Melcher smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Melcher is putting a hurting on Bond here, landing some big shots from side control.
Melcher lands a decent elbow from side control.
Melcher working the ground and pound.
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!
Melcher lands a few punches from side control.
Melcher lands a nice forearm strike.
Melcher cracks Bond with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Melcher landing strikes.
Melcher in side control lands a decent elbow.
Melcher misses with the ground and pound.
Melcher is working Bond over with some ground and pound from side control.
Melcher working the ground and pound.
Melcher scoring with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bond is working to avoid the ground and pound but Melcher connects with a decent elbow.
Melcher landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Melcher looks up at the clock and then as Bond takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Melcher smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Melcher connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Bond some visible discomfort.
Bond is working to avoid the ground and pound but Melcher connects with a decent elbow.
Melcher scores with a couple of short elbows.
Melcher cracks Bond with a big elbow.
Melcher in side control lands a decent elbow.
Bond takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bond tries to bench press Melcher off him but Melcher keeps the position.
Bond wants to control but Melcher postures up.
Melcher looks up at the clock and then as Bond takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Melcher smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Melcher grinds an elbow into Bond's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melcher working the head and body with strikes.
Bond taking punishment in the form of punches.
Melcher connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Bond some visible discomfort.
Melcher throws an elbow but Bond slips to the side and avoids it well.
Melcher cracks Bond with a big elbow.
Melcher lands some shots froms side control.
Melcher landing a few strikes.
Melcher working the ground and pound from side control.
Melcher is working Bond over with some ground and pound from side control.
Melcher creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Melcher lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Melcher landing a few strikes.
Bond is working to avoid the ground and pound but Melcher connects with a decent elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Melcher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Melcher 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Melcher!
Jon Melcher thanked the fans post fight for their support.