PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Melendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Laid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Melendez
vs
Laid

190 cm
33
271 lbs
13 - 15 - 0

200 cm
28
289 lbs
12 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

TWGC Champion
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 13 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Damien Melendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Laid!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Melendez forces Laid back against the cage and clinches.
Melendez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Melendez stops a takedown attempt from Laid.
Laid tries for a takedown but Melendez manages to get underhooks.

Laid gets a trip takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Laid thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Melendez's head.
Laid thows a huge punch but Melendez dodges it nicely.
Melendez tries to roll over but Laid keeps him under control.
Melendez tries to kick Laid off but Laid keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Laid is looking for a kimura but Melendez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Laid to get the leverage.
Laid tries to pass the half guard into mount. Melendez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Laid is looking for a kimura here.

Melendez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Laid pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melendez looks like he's trying to stand up.

Laid is working for a kimura but Melendez is defending it quite comfortably.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Laid lands a nice short elbow.

Melendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Laid there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Laid is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Melendez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Melendez looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Melendez actively working from the bottom here.

Melendez is defending against the submission attempts here by Laid.
Melendez tries to kick Laid off but Laid keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice strikes from Laid there.
Melendez taking some punishment here, with Laid in his half guard.
Melendez gets back to full guard.
Melendez wants to stand up but Laid is controlling him.
Laid passes Melendez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melendez is trying to stand up here but Laid is controlling him well.

Laid wants to work for an arm triangle but Melendez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Melendez looks like he's trying to stand up.

Melendez looking for submissions off his back.
Laid stops Melendez from getting back to his feet.

Laid is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Melendez looks like he's trying to stand up.

Laid is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Melendez is just riding it out for now. Laid eventually gives up the hold.
Melendez wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melendez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Laid is working for a kimura but Melendez is defending it quite comfortably.

Melendez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Laid is looking for a kimura but Melendez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Laid to get the leverage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Laid is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Laid is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Laid dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Laid scores with a nice strike.

It looks like Damien Melendez has been cut.
Laid tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Melendez swivels and escapes.
Melendez stuffs the takedown.
Laid shoots in looking for a takedown. Melendez tries to sprawl out of it but Laid 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.
Damien Melendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Laid.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Melendez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Laid is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Melendez to keep the fight standing.
Laid tries to pull guard but Melendez holds him up against the cage and eventually Laid drops back down to his feet.
Laid tries for a takedown but Melendez manages to get underhooks.

Melendez jumps guard.
Laid makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melendez looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Laid is defending well. Melendez quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Laid has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Melendez celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Damien Melendez!
A relieved looking Damien Melendez thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.