PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Timothy McMahon (ranked 2912 p4p, 4241 weight class) and AJ Menendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Menendez has chosen Kurt Angle Theme as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

McMahon
vs
Menendez

196 cm
25
245
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
20
220
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Timothy McMahon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, AJ Menendez!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McMahon drives through and clinches with Menendez against the cage.
McMahon is trying to push Menendez away but Menendez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McMahon tries to pull guard but Menendez won't allow it.
McMahon working hard to break the clinch.
Menendez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McMahon as Menendez tries to tie him up.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Menendez as McMahon tries to tie him up.
McMahon is trying to drag Menendez to the mat but Menendez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMahon is trying to drag Menendez to the mat but Menendez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timothy McMahon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McMahon is pressed up against the cage. Menendez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McMahon down to the mat. McMahon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Menendez takes the fight into the clinch.
Menendez has McMahon pushed against the cage.
Menendez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Menendez is working for takedown but McMahon is calmly controlling the position for now.
Menendez drops down looking for an ankle pick but McMahon pulls his leg out and moves away.
Menendez throws a head kick but McMahon moves out of range.

McMahon closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Menendez did well to prevent McMahon getting side control.
McMahon moves nicely into side control.

McMahon is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Menendez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menendez pushes McMahon away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, McMahon gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
McMahon wants to stand but Menendez is controlling his arm.

McMahon stands up and beckons Menendez to his feet.
McMahon tries to clinch up.

Menendez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McMahon's guard.
McMahon is looking to stand back up but Menendez counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by McMahon.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McMahon is looking to control Menendez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McMahon avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menendez content to control rather than advance.

Menendez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McMahon doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Menendez.
McMahon wants to control but Menendez is keeping busy.
Menendez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McMahon. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four 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.
Menendez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
McMahon is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. McMahon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McMahon being controlled here, momentarily.
McMahon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but AJ Menendez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Menendez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
McMahon is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. McMahon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McMahon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McMahon working a defensive guard but Menendez manages to pass into side control anyway.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Menendez decides to stand back up. Menendez steps back and let's McMahon get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McMahon drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Menendez pushes McMahon off and scrambles back to his feet.

Menendez rushes McMahon and presses him up against the cage.
McMahon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McMahon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McMahon takes a shot to the head.

It looks like Timothy McMahon has been cut.
Menendez is looking to break free of the clinch but McMahon has double underhooks.
McMahon tries to break the clinch but Menendez is controlling the position.
Menendez can't break the clinch.
Menendez tries for a takedown. No joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McMahon is looking to control Menendez's arms but Menendez gets an underhook and turns him. Now McMahon has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMahon prevents Menendez from breaking the clinch.
Menendez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McMahon is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Menendez to keep the fight standing.
McMahon is looking to take this one to the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Menendez jumps guard but McMahon stands there with Menendez around his waist. Menendez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

McMahon pulls guard.
Menendez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

McMahon has his foot on Menendez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Menendez works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMahon being controlled here, momentarily.
Menendez lands a couple of digs.

Menendez gets to his feet. McMahon looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
McMahon wants to clinch but Menendez slips to the side

and Menendez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Menendez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Menendez stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Menendez takes the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Menendez lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menendez can't break the clinch.
McMahon keeps control of Menendez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McMahon drops down looking for an ankle pick but Menendez pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timothy McMahon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Menendez gets the takedown into side control.

McMahon throws Menendez to one side and escapes!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Menendez closes the distance and pushes McMahon back into the cage.
McMahon leaning against his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

AJ Menendez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Timothy McMahon's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Menendez clinches with his opponent.
McMahon jumps guard but Menendez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Menendez wants a takedown.
McMahon is trying to stall.
Menendez is trying to break the clinch but McMahon is controlling him.
McMahon is trying to pull guard but Menendez turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Menendez is looking to take this one to the mat.

McMahon jumps into guard, dragging Menendez to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menendez 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.
Menendez postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMahon is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Menendez is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Menendez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
AJ Menendez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Menendez 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 fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menendez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McMahon's head.
Menendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McMahon is keeping the position for now.

Menendez gets to his feet - McMahon follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McMahon is looking to clinch but Menendez is avoiding it.

Menendez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McMahon sprawls well initially but Menendez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Menendez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Menendez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Menendez lands strikes from half guard.
McMahon is looking for a sweep. Menendez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menendez controlling the pace.
Menendez's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
McMahon is looking to improve his position.
Menendez passes the guard and advances to mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Menendez jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… McMahon is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by McMahon and Menendez has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Menendez remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Menendez stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Menendez clinches up with McMahon and pushes him back against the cage.
Timothy McMahon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
AJ Menendez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McMahon with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
AJ Menendez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Menendez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 David Hoff scores the fight 28:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AJ Menendez!