PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edward Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendez is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Big Pun-Dream Shatterer. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Kovalev
vs
Mendez

180 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

F.ighters U.nlimited K.lothing C.ompany ☯

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Kovalev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Edward Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kovalev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice 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.

Kovalev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mendez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kovalev.

Kovalev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mendez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mendez gets full guard.
Kovalev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mendez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Mendez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kovalev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kovalev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Kovalev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kovalev drops back looking for a leg! Mendez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendez manages to kick Kovalev off! Kovalev jumps back into Mendez's guard.

Mendez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Kovalev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendez looking for a guillotine here but Kovalev defends easily.

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

Mendez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kovalev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Kovalev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kovalev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Mendez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kovalev defends well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Mendez looks gassed!

Kovalev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mendez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kovalev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kovalev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kovalev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Mendez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kovalev is aware though and is defending well.

Kovalev drops back looking for a leg! Mendez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendez manages to kick Kovalev off! Kovalev jumps back into Mendez's guard.

Kovalev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kovalev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mendez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Mendez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kovalev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Kovalev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kovalev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mendez keeping full guard, as Kovalev tries to pass.

Kovalev drops back looking for a leg! Mendez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendez manages to kick Kovalev off! Kovalev jumps back into Mendez's guard.

Mendez has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Kovalev doesn't defend quickly enough and Mendez has managed to lock this one up! Can Kovalev escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Mendez on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Edward Mendez!