PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Monte Melkonian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Gouken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melkonian comes to the cage accompanied by Artsakh Music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Melkonian
vs
Gouken

180 cm
26
201 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

179 cm
24
179 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

Good takedowns
Excellent MT
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Monte Melkonian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Scott Gouken!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melkonian throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Melkonian rushes Gouken and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gouken gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Melkonian.
Melkonian jumps guard but Gouken stands there with Melkonian around his waist. Melkonian gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Melkonian.
Gouken's coach down at 11th Planet Fitness ($100/wk) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Gouken's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Melkonian keeps control of Gouken as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Melkonian has hold of one of Gouken's legs. Gouken is fighting the takedown attempt but Melkonian gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Gouken looking for a sweep. Not yet Gouken, not yet.
Melkonian has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gouken is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gouken manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Melkonian fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gouken sprawls well initially but Melkonian persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gouken regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melkonian got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gouken has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Melkonian has managed to get both his arms back between Gouken's legs - danger averted.

Gouken is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Melkonian defends well.
Melkonian is looking to work some ground and pound but Gouken has wrist control.

Gouken looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Melkonian is defending well. Gouken quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Melkonian has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Gouken celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Scott Gouken!
An out of breath Scott Gouken thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.