|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Tavares (ranked 2248 p4p, 881 weight class) and Phichael Melps (ranked 238 p4p, 93 weight class). Tavares comes to the cage accompanied by Sandstorm. Michael Tavares has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.
 |
|
 |
| 175 cm
21
168
5 - 2 - 0 |
|
170 cm
21
160
5 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick |
|
Good takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Tavares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Phichael Melps!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Atkins and Phil Schofield.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melps will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tavares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tavares leaves Melps with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Melps fails with a takedown attempt.
Tavares swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Michael Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phichael Melps.
Melps shoots in but Tavares avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tavares is looking for a counter combo.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Melps.
Melps tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tavares swats him away and circles back towards the center.
An attempted straight right counter from Tavares misses the target.
Tavares throws a right and a left that Melps avoids nicely.
Melps shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tavares sprawls well. Tavares wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Melps gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares throws a looping overhand right but Melps ducks down to avoid it.
Tavares ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Melps fails with the takedown
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Melps is looking to clinch.
Tavares stuffs the takedown attempt from Melps. Melps gets slowly back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Melps is defended easily by Tavares.
Tavares feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Melps shoots in looking for a takedown but Tavares manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Melps's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Melps dives in and grabs Tavares's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tavares pushes down on Melps's head and hops out.
Tavares appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Tavares jabs at Melps's body.
Melps takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tavares stuffs the takedown.
Melps fails with the takedown.
Melps takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tavares lands a nice shot to the body.
Melps wants to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Tavares misses the target.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Tavares lands an impressive looking overhand right. Melps doesn't seem phased though.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Melps successfully pulls guard.
Tavares avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Melps looking for a guillotine here but Tavares defends easily.
Melps keeping moving, preventing Tavares from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares postures up in Melps's guard and throws a big left but Melps blocks it.
Melps escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tavares gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tavares landing with the ground and pound.
Melps is looking for a triangle but Tavares pushes his legs off easily.
Tavares trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tavares postures up and lands a big shot to Melps's brow.
Tavares scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melps escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tavares gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tavares stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Melps swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Melps looking for a guillotine here but Tavares defends easily.
Tavares looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tavares trying to control but Melps is working from the bottom.
Melps has an active guard here but Tavares has managed to pass into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Tavares dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Melps tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tavares swivels and escapes.
Tavares digs a good body shot into Melps's ribs.
Melps tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tavares sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Melps somewhat.
Melps tries to clinch
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Melps walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Tavares defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Melps.
Michael Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phichael Melps.
Melps shoots in looking for a takedown. Tavares tries to sprawl out of it but Melps keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tavares manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tavares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Melps manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares scores with a jab to the head.
Melps closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tavares circles away.
Tavares is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Melps can do to turn this around?
Melps with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tavares connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Melps tries for a takedown but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As Melps looks to move away, Tavares throws a big counter combo but Melps just gets out of the way.
Melps is breathing heavily.
Tavares fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Tavares.
Melps moves in looking to clinch but Tavares pushes him off.
No luck for Melps with that takedown attempt.
Tavares swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Melps tries to clinch there but Tavares circles away.
As Melps looks to move away, Tavares throws a big counter combo but Melps just gets out of the way.
Jab, jab by Tavares - just one landing.
Melps tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tavares swivels and escapes.
We've been told by Tavares's head coaches at Alpha Brasil that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A head kick from Tavares lands but Melps takes it in his stride.
Melps has his takedown stuffed
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Melps tries for a takedown but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tavares was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Melps moves out of range.
Melps steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Tavares.
Melps fails with the takedown.
An attempted straight right counter from Tavares misses the target.
A jab lands there for Tavares.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a body shot.
Melps has his takedown stuffed
and Tavares counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Melps will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tavares catches Melps with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tavares displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Melps.
Tavares lands a right hook to the body.
Tavares throws a one two combo.
Melps shoots in looking for a takedown. Tavares tries to sprawl out of it but Melps keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tavares manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tavares throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Melps.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Melps or perhaps it was just good defense by Tavares, which made it look bad.
A combination from Tavares does no damage.
Nice takedown defense from Tavares. No joy for Melps on that attempt.
Tavares feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Tavares keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Michael Tavares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tavares bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Melps's head backwards.
Tavares scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Melps doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tavares counters with a one-two to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Melps or perhaps it was just good defense by Tavares, which made it look bad.
Tavares works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Melps tries to clinch up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares with a hook.
Tavares keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tavares works the jab nicely.
Melps with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tavares makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Melps has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.
Melps misses with a takedown attempt - Tavares sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Melps fails with the takedown
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
Melps dives in and grabs Tavares's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tavares pushes down on Melps's head and hops out.
Tavares dips to his left and cracks Melps with an uppercut!
Tavares looks to score with a jab to the body but Melps is just out of range.
Tavares bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Melps's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Tavares dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!
Tavares lands with a shot to the body.
Melps wants to clinch up but Tavares keeps it at a distance.
Melps shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tavares counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Phichael Melps seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Melps fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A little feinted left hand from Tavares on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tavares swinging wildly here.
Michael Tavares is winning the standup battle so far.
Tavares lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Tavares throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Melps.
Melps shoots in for a takedown but Tavares shows good takedown defense.
Michael Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phichael Melps.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares stuffs the takedown.
Melps fails with an attempt to clinch.
It looked like Tavares wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Melps takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A jab from Tavares finds it's way through Melps's defenses.
Tavares lands with a right hand.
Melps misses with a takedown attempt
and Tavares cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Melps dives in and grabs Tavares's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tavares pushes down on Melps's head and hops out.
Tavares is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Tavares connects with a crisp jab.
Melps showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Melps dives in and grabs Tavares's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tavares pushes down on Melps's head and hops out.
Tavares circles away from the clinch attempt
and Tavares counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Melps thinking.
Melps fails with the takedown
and Tavares counters with a left to the body.
Tavares connects with a good right hand that stumbles Melps. Melps circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Melps moves out of range easily.
Melps shoots and misses
and Tavares counters with a nice body shot.
Melps has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares slaps away a takedown attempt from Melps, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavares smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tavares moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Melps takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tavares defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Melps.
Tavares connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Melps takes a shot to the body in his stride.
No luck for Melps with that takedown attempt.
Melps takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tavares lands with a cross.
Melps checks a leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Melps looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Melps fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tavares sprawls well initially but Melps persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tavares is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Melps pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melps not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Melps is working for a submission of some sort.
Melps trying to control the action but Tavares is working from the bottom.
Melps might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Tavares haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Melps working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tavares has his foot on Melps's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Melps works his way back into a safe position though.
Tavares trying to control the position.
Melps missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tavares has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Melps can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Melps connects with a couple of short punches.
Phichael Melps has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Tavares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Melps's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Tavares showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tavares, 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 30:26
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:26
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:26
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Tavares!
A relieved looking Michael Tavares thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
52% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
