PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Renan Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Commander Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melo comes into the arena with Fireball - Pitbull blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Melo
vs
Shepard

159 cm
20
137 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
21
158 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Renan Melo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Commander Shepard!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melo misses with a takedown attempt - Shepard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Melo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shepard counters with a nice leg kick.
Melo fails to land with a series of punches.
Melo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Shepard counters with a nice body kick.
Shepard throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that Melo has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Renan Melo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Melo misses with a lunging right hand
and Melo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Melo has his takedown stuffed
and Shepard makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Shepard's coach down at R.A.D's Lads was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Shepard's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renan Melo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shepard connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shepard lunges at Melo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Melo's hand.
Melo throws a lazy uppercut
and Shepard counters with a low kick, right behind Melo 's knee.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shepard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Melo.
Nice uppercut lands for Melo. That snapped Shepard's head back.
Melo has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melo looks to land a right hand but Shepard moved out of range.
Melo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Melo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Shepard looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shepard scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Shepard lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jab from Melo.
Shepard turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A jab from Melo misses.
Shepard let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Melo throws a right hand that misses
and Shepard finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Shepard throws a body kick that misses

and Melo counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Shepard!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shepard tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Melo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Melo is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Shepard is trying to escape and Melo transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Shepard is forced to tap! Nice work there by Melo! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Renan Melo!
An out of breath Renan Melo thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.