PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Thomas Babcock (ranked 580 p4p, 1341 weight class) and Paulo Mendes (ranked 82 p4p, 175 weight class). Babcock comes to the cage accompanied by 70. The crowd seem to be enjoying Mendes's choice of entrance music: Future - Last Breath. This should be a great matchup!

Babcock
vs
Mendes

177 cm
34
183
21 - 8 - 0

180 cm
24
181
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

30th Century Beer Store
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jesse Thomas Babcock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paulo Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Leandro Rodrigues and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Babcock keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mendes.
Mendes misses with a looping right.
Mendes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Babcock sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Babcock catches Mendes with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Babcock throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Babcock takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Babcock throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Babcock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendes manages to avoid it.
And Mendes tries to counter it with a takedown but Babcock pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mendes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Babcock.
Babcock cracks a nice hook into Mendes's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babcock scores with a hook to the body. Mendes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Babcock instigates a clinch.
Babcock definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Babcock content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Babcock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mendes tries to pull guard but Babcock forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babcock stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Babcock has Mendes pressed against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Babcock.
Babcock's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Babcock stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.
Babcock struggles to land a body shot inside as Mendes controls his hands.
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.
Mendes jumps guard but Babcock turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Jesse Thomas Babcock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo Mendes.

Mendes gets control of Babcock's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mendes will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Babcock postures up in Mendes's guard and throws a big left but Mendes blocks it.

Mendes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Babcock defends well.

Babcock got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mendes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Babcock has managed to get both his arms back between Mendes's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babcock is pushing down on Mendes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mendes is fighting to maintain full guard but Babcock has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mendes is not content to let Babcock control the position.

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Babcock pulls his head out easily.
Babcock slips a nice elbow through Mendes's hands, connecting with Mendes's forehead.
Mendes on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mendes tries to get to full guard but Babcock has control of the leg.
Mendes is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes tries to get to full guard but Babcock has control of the leg.

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Babcock pulls his head out easily.
Mendes has hold of Babcock's hands but Babcock slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mendes is looking to control Babcock's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mendes avoid being mounted?
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mendes wants to improve his position but Babcock is controlling well.
Babcock looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Mendes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes won't allow Babcock to pass to mount.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Babcock connects with a nice short shot to Mendes's temple.
Mendes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Babcock.

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Babcock pulls his head out easily.
Babcock trying to control the action but Mendes is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Mendes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Thomas Babcock dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mendes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mendes slips a jab from Babcock.
Jesse Thomas Babcock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Babcock lands with a nice body punch.
Babcock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendes moves away.
A slow jab from Babcock misses its intended target.
The fighters circling - Mendes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Babcock misses with a straight left.
Babcock misses the jab.
Mendes throws a counter combo.
Babcock connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babcock ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A shot to the liver by Babcock. Beautiful body shot.
Jesse Thomas Babcock is winning the standup battle so far.
Donk. Babcock catches Mendes right on the button with a cross.
Babcock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendes manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babcock just misses with a punch to the body.
Babcock connects with a looping right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendes.
Babcock throws a body shot but no joy.
Paulo Mendes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch lands to the side of Babcock 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Babcock has closed the distance and engaged Mendes in a clinch.
Babcock content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Babcock tries to throw a body punch but Mendes avoids it by throwing Babcock back against the cage.
Babcock is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mendes can do to turn this around?
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.
Mendes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Babcock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mendes tries for a takedown but Babcock manages to get underhooks.
Jesse Thomas Babcock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo Mendes.
Babcock working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.

Babcock breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Some wild striking there from Babcock.
Mendes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A left lands for Babcock.
Mendes with a lazy takedown attempt
and Babcock counters with a stiff right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Babcock misses with a body shot.
Donk. Babcock catches Mendes right on the button with a cross.

Mendes tries to keep at a distance but Babcock has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Babcock.
Babcock lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Babcock just stands there and leans against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Babcock.
Babcock is stalling here.
Babcock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Babcock will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mendes up against the cage.
Babcock misses with a punch on the inside.
The referee calls for Babcock to work.
Babcock stalling the fight.
Babcock digs a right hand into Mendes's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mendes's gas tank.
Babcock lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Babcock's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mendes lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Babcock.
Babcock swings for the body but Mendes moves out of range.
Babcock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mendes.
Babcock cracks a nice hook into Mendes's ribs.
Babcock connects with a single shot there.
Nice takedown defense from Babcock. No joy for Mendes on that attempt.
Babcock was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
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!
A telegraphed right hand from Babcock misses the target.
Babcock missing with a left hand there. Mendes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mendes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Babcock.
As Babcock backs off Mendes throws a huge counter combo but Babcock manages to avoid it all.
Mendes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Babcock throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mendes shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Babcock is trying to defend but Mendes finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Babcock keeping hold of Mendes's head, controlling as best he can.
Paulo Mendes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mendes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mendes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Babcock does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babcock wants to improve his position but Mendes is controlling well.
Mendes tries to pass the half guard into mount. Babcock knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babcock regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Mendes.
Babcock is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Mendes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Babcock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Babcock pulls Mendes in close to his closed guard and prevents Mendes from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mendes looking to sit in guard and control but Babcock gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babcock is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Mendes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Babcock defends it easily.
Babcock pushing down on Mendes's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Babcock connects with a nice short shot to Mendes's temple.
Babcock is controlling the pace.
Babcock thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mendes's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is trying to control but can't.
Babcock tries to pass to full mount but Mendes defends it.
Babcock is thwarting Mendes's attempts to control the position.

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Babcock pulls his head out easily.
Babcock trying to control the action but Mendes is working from the bottom.
Mendes slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mendes wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mendes keeping moving, preventing Babcock from controlling successfully.

Mendes is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Babcock is aware though and is defending well.
Babcock wants to pass the guard but Mendes is keeping the position.
Babcock is looking to work some ground and pound but Mendes has wrist control.

Mendes looking for a guillotine here but Babcock defends easily.
Babcock scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Babcock makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mendes is pulling down on Babcock's head to control his posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jesse Thomas Babcock did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Babcock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendes moves away.
Babcock ducks under a wild hook from Mendes.
Babcock was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Babcock jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Babcock throws a lazy right hand but Mendes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Babcock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Babcock throws a body punch but Mendes moves out of range.
Nice cross by Babcock.
Mendes misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Babcock pinned against the cage. Babcock gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Babcock appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babcock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mendes.
Mendes moves away from the strike by Babcock.
Babcock misses with a straight right.
Mendes feints the counter takedown.

Mendes tries to keep at a distance but Babcock has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mendes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Babcock to keep the fight standing.
Mendes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jesse Thomas Babcock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo Mendes.
Babcock misses with a body punch.
Babcock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mendes is trying to pull guard but Babcock has him pressed against the cage.
Babcock slows down the pace here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Babcock as Mendes tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.
Babcock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Babcock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mendes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Babcock pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Babcock tries to throw a body punch but Mendes avoids it by throwing Babcock back against the cage.
Mendes wants a takedown.
Mendes tries to pull guard but Babcock won't allow it.
Mendes blocks a body shot from Babcock.
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.
Babcock tries to throw a body punch but Mendes avoids it by throwing Babcock back against the cage.
Babcock working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babcock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mendes jumps guard but Babcock turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Jesse Thomas Babcock has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A right hook to the body lands for Babcock.
Babcock works on Mendes's body with a couple of short punches.
Mendes misses with a punch to the body.
Mendes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Babcock prevents it.
Mendes is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Babcock dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Babcock manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mendes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stalling in the clinch from Babcock.
Mendes misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babcock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mendes's elbow.

Mendes pulls guard successfully.
Mendes looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendes, not yet.
Babcock scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mendes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Babcock is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Babcock with a nice head shot there.
Babcock postures up and lands a big shot to Mendes's brow.
Babcock is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Mendes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Babcock defends well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Babcock keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mendes's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Thomas Babcock had his way with Paulo Mendes in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Babcock misses the shot to the body.
Babcock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendes manages to avoid it.
Mendes misses with a takedown attempt
and Babcock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Babcock lands with an overhand left.
Mendes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Babcock moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Babcock misses with a straight right.
Mendes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes throws the left hand but Babcock avoids the punch easily.
Mendes walks into a straight right hand from Babcock.
Mendes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Babcock throws a looping overhand right but Mendes ducks down to avoid it.
Mendes looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babcock misses the shot to the body.
Babcock looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendes is just out of range.
Babcock clobbers Mendes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A looping hook to the body misses from Babcock. Mendes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mendes lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Babcock throws a lazy uppercut

and Mendes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mendes.
Mendes being controlled here momentarily.
Babcock is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Babcock is trying to keep Mendes in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Babcock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendes looking to pass the guard.
Mendes slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Babcock tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mendes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mendes goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Babcock has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mendes but great work by Babcock.
Mendes tries to bench press Babcock off him but Babcock keeps the position.
Mendes is trying to control Babcock's posture but Babcock avoids it.
Mendes is looking to reverse the position.
Babcock trying to control the position but Mendes is working away.
Mendes is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Babcock works his foot free and advances to mount.
Mendes tries to hold on but Babcock pushes him away.
Babcock dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babcock pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Mendes is wriggling around trying to escape.
Babcock connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Mendes is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mendes tries to hold on but Babcock pushes him away.
Babcock landing punches.
Babcock landing punches.
Mendes is trying to escape the mount.
Mendes wants to control but Babcock is having none of it.
Paulo Mendes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Babcock pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse Thomas Babcock showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Babcock has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 50:45
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse Thomas Babcock!
A relieved looking Jesse Thomas Babcock thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.