PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gilbert Melendez (ranked 4289 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Belenger (ranked 7453 p4p, 0 weight class). Gilbert Melendez has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Melendez
vs
Belenger

186 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gilbert Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Henry Belenger!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Daniel Bishop and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Melendez scores with the left hand. Belenger knows he should have avoided that one.
Melendez lands a nice shot to the body.

Belenger gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Belenger escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Belenger closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Melendez moves into range and connects with a jab.

Belenger closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Belenger lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Belenger stopping the sweep attempt from Melendez.
Belenger trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Belenger really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Melendez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Melendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belenger is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Belenger got a little sloppy there for a moment and Melendez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Belenger has managed to get both his arms back between Melendez's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Belenger must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Belenger wants to pass the guard but Melendez is keeping the position.
Belenger with a flurry of punches that miss.
Melendez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Belenger is one step ahead there.

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

Melendez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Belenger is aware though and is defending well.
Belenger tries to stand but Melendez is controlling from the bottom.
Belenger slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Melendez looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Melendez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Melendez wants to sweep but no luck.

Melendez is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Belenger has his hands clasped together but Melendez extends and breaks Belenger's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Melendez.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Gilbert Melendez!