PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akira Sendoh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damien Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Sendoh
vs
Melendez

185 cm
29
245 lbs
11 - 11 - 0

190 cm
34
271 lbs
14 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

TWGC Champion
Good kicks
Powerful

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition

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 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akira Sendoh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Damien Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Sendoh. Those never looked like landing.

Melendez moves into the clinch.
Melendez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sendoh smiles and moves away.
Melendez shoots and misses
and Sendoh counters with a three punch combo that has Melendez backing up. Melendez nods at Sendoh to acknowledge the strikes.
Sendoh wants to clinch up but Melendez keeps it at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Melendez.
Akira Sendoh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damien Melendez.
Sendoh stuffs the takedown attempt from Melendez. Melendez gets slowly back to his feet.
Sendoh looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sendoh fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A shot to the liver by Sendoh. Beautiful body shot.

Sendoh clinches up against the cage.
Sendoh is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Sendoh breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melendez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sendoh tries to land a knee to the head but Melendez blocks with his arms.
Melendez tries to pull guard but Sendoh forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Sendoh landing knees to the body.
Melendez looks winded!

Sendoh manages to break the clinch.

Sendoh forces Melendez back against the cage and clinches.
A nice left hand lands by Sendoh.

Melendez jumps guard.
Sendoh wants to get up but he can't break Melendez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sendoh knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Melendez on the ground.

Melendez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sendoh defends well.
Melendez has a closed guard, preventing Sendoh from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melendez is looking for a triangle but Sendoh pushes his legs off easily.
Sendoh tries to stand but Melendez is controlling from the bottom.
Sendoh trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Melendez pushes a forearm under Sendoh's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Sendoh is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Damien Melendez!
Damien Melendez seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.