PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luis Maestre (ranked 419 p4p, 444 weight class) and Zheko Melondov (ranked 18 p4p, 19 weight class). Melondov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Exploration of Space by Cosmic Gate kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Maestre
vs
Melondov

225 cm
35
300
32 - 19 - 0

200 cm
34
272
37 - 11 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

IC&E Nutrition
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luis Maestre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zheko Melondov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maestre misses with a hook. Melondov ducked under it nicely.
Maestre looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maestre misses with a straight right.
We've been informed that Melondov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Melondov looks to land a right hand but Maestre moved out of range.
Maestre misses with a looping right.
Maestre throws a good cross that connects.
Maestre throws a big shot that misses.
A combination from Maestre does no damage.
Maestre scores with a jab to the jaw.

It looks like Zheko Melondov has been cut.
Maestre misses with a looping right.
Melondov flicks out a counter leg kick but Maestre steps away.
Maestre throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Melondov counters with a nice body shot.
Maestre throws a predictable looking body shot
and Melondov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melondov misses with a looping right.
Maestre definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Melondov throws out a loose jab but Maestre uses good head movement to avoid it.
Melondov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maestre slips under a jab from Melondov.
Melondov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maestre misses with a hook. Melondov ducked under it nicely.
Maestre lands with an uppercut that bounces Melondov off the cage and back into range.
Maestre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Melondov.
Melondov ducks under a wild hook from Maestre.
Maestre slips under a jab.
Maestre throws a hook to the side of Melondov's head but Melondov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Melondov lands a leg kick that knocks Maestre off balance momentarily.
Melondov lands an overhand right.

It looks like Luis Maestre has been cut.
Luis Maestre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Melondov slips a jab from Maestre.
Melondov swings widly with a right hand
and Maestre counters with a stiff right hand.
Melondov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maestre.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melondov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Melondov drops his hands momentarily and Maestre takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Melondov scores with a push kick.
Melondov throws a head kick that misses.
Maestre throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Melondov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Maestre misses with an uppercut. Melondov saw that one coming.
Maestre misses with a hook to the body
and Melondov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maestre misses with a hook.
Melondov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maestre pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big right from Melondov misses.
Maestre tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Melondov was well out of range. Poor timing from Maestre.
Maestre looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melondov scores with a jab to the head.
Melondov throws a body kick that misses.
Maestre looks to throw the jab but Melondov is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Melondov! But no joy.
Maestre misses with a double jab
and Melondov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A big right from Maestre misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Maestre as he connects with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Melondov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Maestre doesn't seem phased though.
Melondov staying out of range there.

Melondov feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Maestre sprawling to the canvas! Maestre rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Melondov finish him?!

Maestre is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Melondov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maestre throws out the jab.
Melondov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Oh Maestre is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Melondov misses with a hook.
Maestre seems to have got his legs back now.
Maestre throws an off balance right hand
and Melondov counters with a big left hand that crumples Maestre! He was out before he hit the floor! Brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Zheko Melondov!
Zheko Melondov decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
Luis Maestre was interviewed post fight and said 'I just lost to the best man on earth. 18-0 is something that very few fighters achieve. I look forward to watching this legend pave his way through history '.