PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nasko Melnicata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nasko Melnicata acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Owens
vs
Melnicata

183 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

189 cm
25
246 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kevin Owens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nasko Melnicata!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Owens goes for a double leg but Melnicata avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Melnicata continues to drive forward.
Owens has his takedown stuffed

so Melnicata counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Melnicata is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Owens knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Melnicata on the ground.
Melnicata stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Owens swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melnicata controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Melnicata trying to control but Owens is working from the bottom.

Melnicata is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Owens is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Owens has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Melnicata is on top in guard.

Owens keeping moving, preventing Melnicata from controlling successfully.
Melnicata lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Melnicata looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Melnicata wants to pass the guard but Owens is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Melnicata wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.
Melnicata sitting in guard here, content to control.
Melnicata wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.
Melnicata content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Melnicata trying to control the position from guard on top but Owens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Owens on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Owens tries to get out of the position.

Melnicata is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melnicata with a nice head shot there.
Melnicata stopping the sweep attempt from Owens.
Owens is breathing heavily.
Owens keeping moving, preventing Melnicata from controlling successfully.
Melnicata stands and throws Owens's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Melnicata looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Melnicata is trying to get an arm triangle but Owens is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melnicata is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Owens knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Melnicata tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Melnicata has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Melnicata is trying to get an arm triangle but Owens is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Owens is looking to regain half guard here but Melnicata keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nasko Melnicata dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Melnicata scores with a takedown into Owens's guard.
Owens seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Melnicata wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.

Melnicata drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Melnicata jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nasko Melnicata has got the better of the ground game so far.

Melnicata drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Melnicata jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Melnicata passes Owens's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Melnicata is working for a submission of some sort.

Melnicata in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Owens tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Melnicata!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Nasko Melnicata!