PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Rickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Melendez
vs
Rickson

190 cm
32
271 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

200 cm
24
290 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Damien Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carl Rickson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez fails with the takedown.
Melendez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rickson counters with a thumping low kick.
A head kick misses from Rickson.
Rickson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Melendez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

It looks like Damien Melendez has been cut.
Melendez takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rickson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Melendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rickson misses with a hook. Melendez ducked under it nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Rickson scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rickson as he jumps to the side.
A punch combination from Rickson misses.
Rickson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Melendez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rickson as he jumps to the side.
Rickson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Melendez.
Melendez is breathing heavily.
Melendez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rickson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Melendez is looking to score with low kicks.
Melendez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Melendez. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Rickson lands a big head kick that sends Melendez tumbling to the mat! Rickson takes a step backwards and waves Melendez back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Rickson throws a jab but it's blocked by Melendez.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rickson.
Melendez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rickson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Melendez - that will leave a mark!
Carl Rickson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Melendez avoids the body shot from Rickson.
Melendez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rickson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Melendez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Rickson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rickson throws a right and a left that Melendez avoids nicely.
Melendez fails with the takedown

and Rickson counters with a crisp one two that drops Melendez! Rickson thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Melendez to his feet! Melendez is in big trouble!
Sloppy strikes from Rickson. Those never looked like landing.
Rickson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Melendez.
Melendez closes the distance and clinches up with Rickson, looking for a takedown. Melendez pushes Rickson against the ropes but Rickson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rickson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Damien Melendez's cut is getting worse.
Rickson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Rickson coming out on top.
Rickson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Rickson.
Rickson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Melendez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rickson lands a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Melendez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rickson.
Rickson lands a body shot.
Rickson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Melendez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rickson.

Rickson lands a left and a right that send Melendez crashing to the mat, dazed. Rickson thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Damien Melendez's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rickson fails to land with a series of punches.
Rickson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Melendez's calf.
Rickson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Melendez has time to react.
Melendez misses with a takedown attempt - Rickson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rickson throws a quick inside leg kick.

Rickson lands a left and a right that send Melendez crashing to the mat, dazed. Rickson thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Melendez is rocked!
Rickson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Melendez.
Oh Melendez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Melendez blocks a head kick by Rickson.
Melendez seems to have got his legs back now.
Rickson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Rickson cracks Melendez with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Melendez looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Rickson finish him?

Jeez, Damien Melendez's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Rickson looks to score with a jab to the body but Melendez is just out of range.
Rickson misses with a wild combination.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rickson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rickson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rickson connects with a high kick.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Damien Melendez's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Carl Rickson!