PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renan Melo (ranked 3617 p4p, 177 weight class) and Kyoji Horiguchi (ranked 1419 p4p, 67 weight class). Melo's entrance music is Fireball - Pitbull. A fine choice. Renan Melo had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Melo
vs
Horiguchi

159 cm
31
145 lbs
24 - 17 - 0

164 cm
36
145 lbs
29 - 18 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Sin City Allstars

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 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Renan Melo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 18 - 2, fighting out of London, Kyoji Horiguchi!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horiguchi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Melo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Horiguchi blocks a jab.
Horiguchi connects with a nice looking jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws a chopping leg kick but Melo manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Melo moves forwards but Horiguchi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Horiguchi catches Melo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The fighters circling - Melo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Horiguchi throws a lazy body kick
letting Melo counter with a right hand.
Horiguchi misses with a body shot
and Melo counters with a nice uppercut.
Melo cracks Horiguchi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
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!
Horiguchi misses with a hook
and Melo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Melo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kyoji Horiguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A decent looking cross lands there for Horiguchi.
Melo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Horiguchi counters with a stiff right hand.
Kyoji Horiguchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi ducks under a wild hook from Melo.
Melo tried to score with a low kick but Horiguchi checks it.
Horiguchi scores with a nice strike.

Melo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Horiguchi, pushing him back against the cage.
Horiguchi lands a shoulder strike.
Melo works on Horiguchi's body with a couple of short punches.
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 Horiguchi walks away with a smile on his face. Melo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Horiguchi lands a head kick. Melo smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Horiguchi scores with a jab.
Horiguchi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Melo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Horiguchi's corner calls for a 1-2. Horiguchi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Horiguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Melo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Horiguchi.

Melo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Horiguchi, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi lands with a light punch inside.
Melo lands a nice shot to the body.
Horiguchi slowing the pace effectively.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Melo throws a head punch that misses.

Melo breaks from the clinch.
Horiguchi has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Horiguchi throws a sloppy head kick and Melo moves out of range easily.
Horiguchi throws a hook but Melo avoids it easily.
Horiguchi misses with a right hand
enabling Melo to counter with a crisp jab.
Horiguchi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Melo had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Horiguchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Horiguchi throws a looping overhand right but Melo ducks down to avoid it.
Melo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Horiguchi.
Melo blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Melo shoots in looking for a takedown. Horiguchi tries to sprawl out of it but Melo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Horiguchi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Some bone on bone action there as Horiguchi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Horiguchi. Melo shrugs it off though.
Horiguchi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Horiguchi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Melo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A jab from Horiguchi finds it's way through Melo's defenses.
Melo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Horiguchi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Melo throws a jab but it's blocked by Horiguchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A cross from Melo lands.
Horiguchi catches Melo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A bone on bone clash there as Melo blocks the leg kick.
Melo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Horiguchi sprawls and moves away.
Horiguchi wants to slow Melo down by chopping away at his legs.
Melo misses with a low kick.
Melo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Horiguchi. Horiguchi obviously looking to wear him down.
Melo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Horiguchi.
Melo drops his hands momentarily and Horiguchi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Horiguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Melo was well out of range. Poor timing from Horiguchi.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horiguchi misses with a hook. Melo ducked under it nicely.
Melo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Horiguchi connects with a leg kick. Melo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Melo slips a jab from Horiguchi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Melo drops his hands momentarily and Horiguchi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Horiguchi misses with a looping left.
Horiguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the side of Melo's head but Melo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Melo throwing a counter right hand but Horiguchi manages to avoid it.
Horiguchi throws a sloppy body shot
and Melo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Melo throws a lazy right hand but Horiguchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Horiguchi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Horiguchi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Horiguchi is looking to score with low kicks.
Horiguchi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horiguchi staying out of range there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Melo or perhaps it was just good defense by Horiguchi, which made it look bad.
Horiguchi throws out a counter right but Melo avoids it with no problem.
Melo throws a sloppy body shot
and Horiguchi counters with a low kick, right behind Melo 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws a series of punches but Melo avoids them all with ease.
Horiguchi cracks the inside of Melo's front leg.
Horiguchi tries a head kick but it misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Melo.
The fighters circling - Horiguchi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Melo tries to close the distance and clinch but Horiguchi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Melo lands an overhand right.
Decent striking displayed by Horiguchi there.
A jab from Horiguchi finds it's way through Melo's defenses.
Melo checks a low kick from Horiguchi.
Melo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Melo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Horiguchi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Horiguchi takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Horiguchi throws a right hand that misses
and Melo counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horiguchi lands a right hook to the body.
Horiguchi ducks under a wild hook from Melo.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Melo checks it.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horiguchi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Melo tries to clinch up but Horiguchi circles away and keeps his distance.
Horiguchi swings for the body but Melo moves out of range.
Horiguchi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Melo throws out the jab.
Melo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Horiguchi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo darts in looking for a takedown but Horiguchi gets double underhooks and turns Melo into the cage.
Kyoji Horiguchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horiguchi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Horiguchi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Melo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Melo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Melo misses with a looping right.
Horiguchi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Horiguchi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Horiguchi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Horiguchi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Horiguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Melo's sensitive parts.
Horiguchi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Melo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi misses with a looping left.
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!
Horiguchi blocks a jab.
Horiguchi is trying to counter with his kicks.
Horiguchi throws a solid leg kick but Melo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Horiguchi.
Horiguchi misses with an uppercut.
Melo feinted with a counter takedown.
Horiguchi throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Horiguchi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Melo doesn't seem phased though.
Horiguchi throws a looping overhand right but Melo ducks down to avoid it.
Horiguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Melo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Horiguchi under the eye.
A slow jab from Horiguchi misses its intended target.
Melo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Horiguchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Melo is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Horiguchi throws a looping overhand right but Melo ducks down to avoid it.
A low kick from Horiguchi misses

and Melo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Melo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Horiguchi wants to control but Melo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Melo trying to control the pace.

Melo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horiguchi won't allow Melo to pass to mount.
Horiguchi moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Horiguchi holds on and takes a little breather.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melo tries to free his leg and advance position but Horiguchi is retaining full guard.
Horiguchi working a defensive guard here.
Horiguchi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Horiguchi looking for a sweep. Not yet Horiguchi, not yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Horiguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A slow jab from Horiguchi misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Melo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Melo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Horiguchi.
Good leg kick by Horiguchi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Horiguchi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Melo throws a hook but Horiguchi avoids it easily.
Horiguchi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Melo counter with a right hand.
Melo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the side of Melo's head but Melo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Horiguchi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Melo tries to clinch but Horiguchi is having none of it.
Melo looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Melo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo walks forward, straight into a front kick from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi looks to throw the jab but Melo is out of range.
Horiguchi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Melo moves away from the strike by Horiguchi.
Melo wants to slow Horiguchi down by chopping away at his legs.
Horiguchi misses the jab.
Renan Melo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kyoji Horiguchi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Melo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Horiguchi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Melo scrambles back to his feet.
Horiguchi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Melo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Melo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Horiguchi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Horiguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Melo is out of range and Horiguchi settles back down.
Horiguchi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo tries to clinch up.
Horiguchi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Melo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Melo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Horiguchi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Melo on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Horiguchi as he connects with a hook.
Melo fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Horiguchi is out of range.
Horiguchi scores with a nice right hand.
Melo defending well as Horiguchi loads up on a big left hand.
Horiguchi misses with a body kick.
Melo half committed to a counter leg kick.
Melo tries to clinch there but Horiguchi circles away.
Horiguchi loads up on a big right hand but Melo slips the punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyoji Horiguchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Horiguchi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyoji Horiguchi!
After the fight, Kyoji Horiguchi 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.