PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wesley Cardoso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilbert Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wesley Cardoso has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Cardoso
vs
Melendez

183 cm
21
176 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Wesley Cardoso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gilbert Melendez!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melendez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cardoso closes this distance looking for a takedown but Melendez circles away.
Cardoso throws a solid leg kick but Melendez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cardoso.
Cardoso swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Melendez jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Melendez looks to land a combination but Cardoso avoids it well.
Melendez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Melendez wants it to stay on the feet.
Cardoso misses with a takedown attempt - Melendez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wesley Cardoso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Melendez misses with a combination

and Cardoso counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cardoso is trying to control. Melendez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Melendez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Cardoso looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Melendez is trying to stand back up but Cardoso is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cardoso. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Cardoso looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Cardoso is trying to control. Melendez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Melendez wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Wesley Cardoso just wasn't active enough.

Cardoso shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Melendez tries to buck Cardoso off but he can't manage it.
Cardoso tries to control but Melendez wriggling away.
Cardoso thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Melendez's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Cardoso wants to finish this one by submission but Melendez is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Cardoso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Cardoso wants to finish this one by submission but Melendez is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Cardoso.
Melendez is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cardoso is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Melendez to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Melendez shrugs it off.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cardoso won't let Melendez get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Cardoso trying to control but Melendez is having none of it.

Cardoso working for a guillotine from mount but Melendez is in no mood to give up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wesley Cardoso dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Melendez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Cardoso counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Melendez wants to stand and escape but Cardoso is having none of it.
Cardoso trying to control the position from guard on top but Melendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cardoso tries to free his leg and advance position but Melendez is retaining full guard.
Cardoso wants to control from the top but Melendez keeps moving.
Cardoso slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Wesley Cardoso.
A left and a right from Melendez both land. Nice combination.
Cardoso shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez misses with a few strikes there.
Melendez scores with a shot to the body.
Melendez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cardoso.

Cardoso gets a clinch.
Cardoso is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Melendez is trying to force a seperation but Cardoso has the dominant position.
Melendez is trying to force a seperation but Cardoso has the dominant position.
Cardoso changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Melendez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wesley Cardoso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Melendez throws a right and a left that Cardoso avoids nicely.
Gilbert Melendez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez misses with a wild combination.
Melendez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Cardoso tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Melendez swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A punch combination from Melendez misses.
Melendez misses with a two punch combination.
Cardoso shoots in looking for a takedown. Melendez tries to sprawl out of it but Cardoso keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Melendez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cardoso shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Melendez sprawls well. Melendez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cardoso gets slowly back to his feet.
Melendez lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez throws a right hand that Cardoso ducks under and follows up with a left that Cardoso also avoids with ease.
Melendez fails to land with a series of punches.
Melendez misses with a series of wild punches.
Cardoso throws a sloppy head kick and Melendez moves out of range easily.
Wesley Cardoso is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cardoso dodges the punch combination from Melendez.
Melendez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Cardoso tries to clinch up.
Cardoso misses with a takedown attempt
and Melendez counters with a three punch combo that has Cardoso backing up. Cardoso nods at Melendez to acknowledge the strikes.
Melendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cardoso tries to score a power double leg takedown but Melendez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cardoso somewhat.
Melendez swinging wildly here.
Melendez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cardoso counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cardoso.
Cardoso is working for takedown but Melendez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cardoso prevents Melendez from breaking the clinch.
Melendez working hard to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melendez tries to circle away but Cardoso has him pinned against the cage.
Cardoso prevents Melendez from breaking the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gilbert Melendez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Melendez throws a series of punches but Cardoso avoids them all with ease.
Melendez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cardoso.
Cardoso misses with a takedown
and Cardoso takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Melendez digs a good hook to Cardoso's body.
Some wild striking there from Melendez.
Melendez getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Cardoso moves into range and clinches up with Melendez.
Melendez tries to circle away but Cardoso has him pinned against the cage.
Melendez can't break the clinch.
Melendez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cardoso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardoso jumps guard but Melendez stands there with Cardoso around his waist. Cardoso gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wesley Cardoso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Melendez is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cardoso has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Melendez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Melendez has had enough of the clinch but Cardoso keeps him there for the moment.
Cardoso has Melendez pressed against the cage, preventing Melendez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Cardoso pulls guard effortlessly.
Melendez is looking to stand up but Cardoso won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melendez working some strikes from top position.
Melendez lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Cardoso looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cardoso looking for a sweep. Not yet Cardoso, not yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Melendez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Melendez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Melendez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cardoso is proving hard to escape from.
Cardoso keeping moving, preventing Melendez from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez tries to stand but Cardoso is controlling from the bottom.
Melendez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Melendez trying to control but Cardoso is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gilbert Melendez wasn't active enough on the ground.
Jab from Melendez.
Gilbert Melendez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Melendez uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cardoso has time to react.
Melendez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cardoso fails with the takedown
and Melendez counters with a three punch combo that has Cardoso backing up. Cardoso nods at Melendez to acknowledge the strikes.
Some wild striking there from Melendez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso walks into a jab.
Melendez lands a two punch combo.
Melendez fails to land with a series of punches.
Melendez looks to land a combination. Cardoso sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Melendez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cardoso counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Melendez!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cardoso takes Melendez's back.
Cardoso trying to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cardoso has managed to slip his arm under Melendez's chin. This could be all over... yep, Melendez is tapping out! Submission win for Cardoso.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Wesley Cardoso!