PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Marcolini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Marcolini's choice of entrance music: Raffaella Carra - Rumore. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Melendez
vs
Marcolini

190 cm
30
271 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

185 cm
29
259 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Damien Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marco Marcolini!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marcolini clinches with his opponent.
Melendez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Marcolini walks away with a smile on his face. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Marcolini throws a leg kick but Melendez sees it coming and moves out of range.
Marcolini throws a jab when Melendez was well out of range.
Marcolini ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Melendez moves away.
Marcolini throws a sloppy head kick and Melendez moves out of range easily.
Marcolini finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Marco Marcolini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Marcolini as he jumps to the side.

Melendez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Marcolini is adopting a defensive guard.
Melendez looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Marcolini looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marcolini is looking for a triangle but Melendez pushes his legs off easily.

Melendez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Melendez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Marcolini wants to sweep but no luck.

Melendez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Marcolini manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Melendez has Marcolini in his guard.
Marcolini tries to free his leg and advance position but Melendez is retaining full guard.

Melendez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Marcolini defends it easily.
Melendez lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Marcolini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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.
Marcolini wants to control from the top but Melendez keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melendez is looking for a triangle but Marcolini pushes his legs off easily.
Marcolini slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Marcolini scoring with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Melendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marcolini wants to control from the top but Melendez keeps moving.

Melendez working for a triangle but Marcolini defends it easily.
Marcolini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marcolini wants to control from the top but Melendez keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marcolini is posturing up here but Melendez has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Marcolini tries to roll out but it's too tight and Marcolini has to tap! Slick submission there by Melendez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Damien Melendez!
Damien Melendez took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, (CoB)Crushing Blow Laundry (93.3%) for their support in the buildup to the fight.