PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocco Stupka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felipe Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stupka's entrance music is Red Army March. A fine choice. Melo has chosen Fort Minor - Remember the name as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Felipe Melo has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Rocco Stupka's chin.

Stupka
vs
Melo

184 cm
32
250 lbs
24 - 19 - 0

196 cm
27
229 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

{R.W} Four Aces 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 24 - 19 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rocco Stupka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Felipe Melo!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Reed Andrews and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stupka shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Stupka was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Melo takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Melo tries to bench press Stupka off him but Stupka keeps the position.
Melo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Melo parries the strikes from Stupka easily there. Stupka is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Melo to escape.
Melo is trying to improve his position.
Melo can't do much from the bottom here.
Melo dodges the ground and pound from Stupka.
Melo is looking to reverse the position.
Melo is not content to let Stupka control the position.
Stupka in side control lands a decent elbow.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stupka trying to control the position but Melo is working away.
Stupka has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stupka in side control, throwing shots but Melo defends.
Melo tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stupka is working Melo over with some ground and pound from side control.
Melo taking a bit of punishment here - Stupka scoring with strikes.
Melo is looking to regain half guard here but Stupka keeps moving and retains side control.
Stupka trying to control the position but Melo is working away.
Stupka tries to score with some ground and pound. Melo controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Stupka working the head and body with strikes.
Stupka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Melo keeps working.
Melo has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Melo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Stupka working the head with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stupka cracks Melo with a big right hand but Melo just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Melo managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Stupka.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melo can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stupka throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Melo tries to bench press Stupka off him but Stupka keeps the position.
Stupka is looking to take a break and control but Melo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stupka works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

It looks like Felipe Melo has been cut.
Melo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Stupka's best efforts.
Stupka not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Melo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stupka pulls his head out easily.
Stupka is looking to take a break and control but Melo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stupka lands strikes from half guard.
Stupka missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stupka thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Melo is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Melo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stupka thows a huge punch but Melo dodges it nicely.
Stupka is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Melo!
Melo wants to hold on but Stupka pushes him away.
Melo is desperately trying to improve his position but Stupka has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Stupka cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Stupka lands with some strikes.

That has opened up Felipe Melo's cut even more.
Stupka lands a couple of good shots and Melo has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Melo is rocked!

The cut above Felipe Melo's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Rocco Stupka!
Rocco Stupka was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Felipe Melo was interviewed post fight and said 'I always try and have fun out there, I got holes but hell its fun.'.