PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renan Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergey Panikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Melo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Fireball - Pitbull. Panikov has chosen Fighters as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Melo
vs
Panikov

159 cm
29
145 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

160 cm
34
145 lbs
27 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Renan Melo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergey Panikov!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melo misses with a looping right.
Melo thows a left - swing and a miss!
A shot to the liver by Melo. Beautiful body shot.
Panikov misses with a hook.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Panikov enables Melo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Panikov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Panikov has Melo pulled in close to control his posture.
Melo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Panikov keeping moving, preventing Melo from controlling successfully.
Melo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panikov keeping moving, preventing Melo from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Melo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Melo avoids a kick to the body.
Melo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Panikov slips a jab from Melo.
Panikov thinks about the counter body kick.

Panikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Panikov misses with the head strike.
Panikov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Melo's elbow.
Panikov pushes Melo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Panikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Melo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Panikov misses with the head strike.
Melo tries to pull guard but Panikov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Panikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Melo uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Panikov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Melo backwards.
I was talking to Melo's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Melo.
Melo lands with a left to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Melo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Panikov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renan Melo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Melo manages to break the clinch.
Panikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Panikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Melo has managed to clinch.
Melo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Panikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Melo lands with a short shot to the head.
A short left from Melo.
Melo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Panikov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Melo's elbow.
Panikov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Melo misses with the head strike.
Melo struggles to land a body shot inside as Panikov controls his hands.
Panikov avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo throws a head punch that misses.
Panikov lands an uppercut.
Melo has a couple of punches blocked by Panikov.
Panikov has Melo pushed against the cage.
Melo prevents a body shot from Panikov.

Melo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Melo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Panikov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Panikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sergey Panikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Panikov throws a hook but Melo blocks it.
Panikov wants to clinch

and Melo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Melo.
Melo wants to control from the top but Panikov keeps moving.
Panikov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Melo controls the pace.
Melo trying to control the position from guard on top but Panikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Panikov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Melo controls the pace.
Melo stands and throws Panikov's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Melo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
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!

Melo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Panikov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Melo but great work by Panikov.
Melo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Panikov's best efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renan Melo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Melo checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Melo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Panikov throws out the jab.
Melo throws a jab but it's blocked by Panikov.
Melo misses with a right hand
and Panikov counters with a series of strikes. Melo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Melo dodges the punch combination from Panikov.
Melo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Panikov.
It looked like Melo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Panikov throws a leg kick which misses Melo's front leg but catches the back leg as Melo tries to avoid it.
Melo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Melo moves into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Melo.
Panikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Melo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Panikov uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melo looking for a guillotine here but Panikov defends easily.
Panikov stopping the sweep attempt from Melo.
Panikov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Melo looking for a sweep. Not yet Melo, not yet.

Melo working for submissions but it's allowed Panikov to get to half guard.
Melo is looking for a sweep. Panikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Melo gets back to full guard.
Melo controls Panikov momentarily but Panikov frees himself.
Melo wants to sweep here but Panikov controlling him for the moment.
Melo is trying to control the position but Panikov postures up.

Melo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Panikov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Melo is looking to sweep but instead, Panikov has passed into half guard.
Melo is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo is working hard here to advance position.
Panikov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Panikov prevents Melo from getting the reversal.
Melo manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Melo looking for a kimura from the bottom but Panikov passes into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Panikov is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Melo is trying desperately to improve position.
Melo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Melo is looking for a sweep. Panikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Melo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Panikov pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Panikov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Melo!
Melo is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Panikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Melo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Panikov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Panikov's coach down at The Studio was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Panikov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Panikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Panikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Melo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Panikov misses with a wild body shot.
Melo misses with a wild body shot.
Panikov misses with a body shot.
Melo looks to score with a jab to the body but Panikov is just out of range.
Melo moves out of range of the body kick.
Panikov throws the kick towards the body but Melo avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melo misses with a double jab.
Panikov throws a shot from downtown. Melo moves away and avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Melo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Melo just misses with a punch to the body.
Melo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Melo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Panikov moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panikov just misses with a punch to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Melo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Melo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Panikov. Panikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Panikov connects with a leg kick. Melo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sergey Panikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Panikov tries to clinch up.
Panikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Melo throws a quick inside leg kick.
That kick from Panikov tenderised Melo's leg. Melo is trying to keep his angry face on.
Melo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Melo scores with a leg kick.

Melo has Panikov up against the cage in a clinch.
Melo swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Melo breaks from the clinch.
Melo looks to land a right hand but Panikov moved out of range.
Panikov tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panikov thuds a left hand into Melo's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Panikov wants to clinch up but Melo keeps it at a distance.
A little feinted left hand from Melo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Melo lands with a straight right. Panikov didn't see that one coming.

Melo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Panikov, pushing him back against the cage.
Panikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Renan Melo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from Melo on the inside.
A short right from Panikov on the inside.
Melo misses with a punch to the body.
Melo is trying to pull guard but Panikov has him pressed against the cage.
Panikov trying to control the position but instead, Melo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Panikov into the cage.
Panikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Melo backwards.
Panikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Panikov can't find room to land a body shot as Melo controls the action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Melo.
Melo tries to throw a body punch but Panikov avoids it by throwing Melo back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Panikov.
Panikov misses with some punches.
Melo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Melo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Panikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Panikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Melo throws a head punch that misses.
Still in the clinch, Panikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Panikov presses Melo against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Panikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Melo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Panikov walks away with a smile on his face. Melo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renan Melo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Panikov is looking to slow Melo down with leg kicks.
Panikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Melo.
The fighters circle momentarily. Panikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Melo slips under a jab from Panikov.
An inside leg kick lands from Panikov.
Panikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Melo avoids the body shot from Panikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melo closes the distance and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Panikov wants to stall.
Melo swings wildly with an uppercut but Panikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Melo working aggressively here.
Panikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Panikov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Melo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Melo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Panikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Panikov throws a head punch that misses.
Panikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Melo controls his hands.
Melo tries to pull guard but Panikov won't allow it.
Panikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Panikov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Melo lands a hook that snaps the head of Panikov backwards.
Panikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sergey Panikov.
I think Panikov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Renan Melo!
A very excited looking Renan Melo made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Sergey Panikov spoke after the fight, saying 'Haha I am shit.sorry'.