PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gilbert Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Chojacki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shane Chojacki told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Melendez
vs
Chojacki

175 cm
29
164 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
24
155 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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Torment Fightwear
Dynamic Nutrition $35 159 Recovery

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gilbert Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Shane Chojacki!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez shoots in and drives through. Chojacki sprawls well.

Chojacki tries to sprawl but Melendez drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Melendez trying to control the action but Chojacki is working from the bottom.

Melendez is working for a kimura but Chojacki is defending it quite comfortably.
Chojacki tries to get to full guard but Melendez has control of the leg.

Melendez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Chojacki wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Chojacki's head.
Chojacki wants to get back to full guard.
Chojacki is doing well to control the position and prevent Melendez from advancing to side control.

Melendez seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Chojacki has recovered full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melendez postures up.
Melendez stopping the sweep attempt from Chojacki.

Melendez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Chojacki is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Melendez, into his guard.
Chojacki won't allow Melendez to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chojacki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Melendez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chojacki works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Melendez is trying to get back to full guard.
Melendez is staying active underneath Chojacki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez tries to get to full guard but Chojacki has control of the leg.
Melendez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Melendez tries to get out of the position.
Melendez is pressing down on Chojacki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Melendez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Chojacki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Chojacki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Melendez is trying to keep Chojacki in close.
Melendez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chojacki is one step ahead there.
Chojacki trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chojacki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Melendez trying to control the position.

Melendez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Chojacki is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Melendez wants to sweep but no luck.
Chojacki 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.
Melendez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chojacki pushes down on Melendez's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Melendez looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilbert Melendez dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Chojacki throws a sloppy body shot

and Melendez counters with a shoot takedown. Chojacki fights it but they end up in guard.
Melendez wants to control from the top but Chojacki keeps moving.
Melendez won't allow Chojacki to sweep him here.
Melendez trying to control but Chojacki is working from the bottom.
Chojacki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Melendez.
Melendez trying to control but Chojacki is working from the bottom.
Chojacki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Chojacki wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shane Chojacki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Chojacki shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Chojacki was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Melendez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Chojacki tries to control but Melendez wriggling away.
Melendez slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Melendez trying to hold on to Chojacki's head to control him but Chojacki postures up.

Melendez looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chojacki keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Melendez tries to roll over but Chojacki keeps him under control.
Chojacki trying to control the action but Melendez is working from the bottom.
Chojacki takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Melendez is not content to let Chojacki control the position.
Gilbert Melendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chojacki moves into full mount! Melendez won't be happy about that!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is looking to get to half guard.
Chojacki controlling the pace for now.
Melendez is trying desperately to improve position.
Chojacki controlling the pace for now.
Chojacki prevents Melendez from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chojacki tries to control but Melendez wriggling away.
Chojacki tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Melendez is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gilbert Melendez will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Melendez lands a jab to Chojacki's midsection.

Chojacki feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Melendez working for submissions but it's allowed Chojacki to get to half guard.

Melendez actively working from the bottom here.
Melendez tries to get to full guard but Chojacki has control of the leg.

Melendez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Chojacki pulls his head out easily.
Chojacki tries to pass the half guard into mount. Melendez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chojacki keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Melendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Chojacki is trying to control. Melendez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Melendez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Melendez manages to get to full guard.
Chojacki stopping the sweep attempt from Melendez.
Chojacki stays in close to Melendez's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chojacki is one step ahead there.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Chojacki content to stall in guard here.
Chojacki stopping the sweep attempt from Melendez.
Melendez trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez keeping moving, preventing Chojacki from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shane Chojacki.

Chojacki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Melendez is trying to defend but Chojacki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Melendez looking for subs from the bottom but Chojacki mounts him!
Chojacki controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chojacki wants to control the pace but Melendez is squirming around nicely.
Gilbert Melendez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Melendez is trying to escape the mount.
Shane Chojacki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chojacki looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Chojacki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Melendez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gilbert Melendez!
After the fight, Gilbert Melendez was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.