PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zane Viren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miguel Mendoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Viren comes to the cage accompanied by Beethoven Virus - BanYa. Mendoza has chosen Heavy Metal Kings as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Viren
vs
Mendoza

181 cm
21
165 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

175 cm
21
164 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zane Viren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Miguel Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Anthony Taglia and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mendoza shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Mendoza seems to be working for a kimura but Viren defends the submission attempt.
Mendoza is keen to just control but Viren is a slippery customer.
Viren wants to get back to his feet.
Viren trying to hold on to Mendoza's head to control him but Mendoza postures up.
Viren tries to get to full guard but Mendoza has control of the leg.
Mendoza trying to control from Viren's half guard. Viren has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Viren avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mendoza stops Viren from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendoza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Viren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Viren wants to sweep here but Mendoza controlling him for the moment.
Mendoza really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Viren. 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 one minute gone in the round.

Mendoza 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.

Mendoza has gone for a leg lock! Viren slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mendoza's guard.
Viren keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mendoza's head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Viren wants to control from the top but Mendoza keeps moving.
Viren wants to stand but Mendoza has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Mendoza pulls Viren in close to prevent any damage.
Mendoza bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Viren's guard.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Viren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Viren is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viren is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Mendoza wants to get back to full guard.
Mendoza blocking the ground and pound attempt from Viren.
Viren wants to pass the guard but Mendoza is defending well.
Mendoza is staying active underneath Viren, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Viren prevents Mendoza from standing back up.
Viren seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mendoza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Viren working Mendoza over with strikes.
Mendoza is trying to control but can't.
Mendoza is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Viren scores with a couple of nice shots.
Viren not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Viren throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mendoza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mendoza trying to control but Viren postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Viren won't allow Mendoza to sweep him here.
Viren throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Viren passes Mendoza's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendoza wants to improve his position but Viren is controlling well.
Viren has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mendoza has his hands clasped together around Viren's back. He's all about the action.
Viren lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Viren thows a huge punch but Mendoza dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viren lands with a punch from half guard.
Mendoza gets back to full guard.
Mendoza controlling the position.
Viren wants to control from the top but Mendoza keeps moving.
Viren lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendoza has momentary wrist control but Viren slips an elbow through the middle.
Viren wants to control from the top but Mendoza keeps moving.
Mendoza is pulling down on Viren's head to control his posture.
Viren working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mendoza's head.
Viren trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendoza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Viren landing with the ground and pound.
Mendoza is pulling down on Viren's head to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zane Viren 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.

Mendoza slips under a jab from Viren.
A nice combination there by Mendoza.
Viren throws an off balance right hand

and Mendoza counters with a single leg into guard. Viren didn't expect that.
Mendoza must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Viren scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Mendoza slips a straight right by Viren.
Mendoza has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mendoza lands a jab to Viren's midsection.
Mendoza steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Viren.
Zane Viren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Mendoza does no damage.
Mendoza misses with a wild combination.
Mendoza throws a low kick but it's checked well by Viren.
Viren stuffs the takedown.
Viren wants to clinch up but Mendoza keeps it at a distance.
Viren keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Miguel Mendoza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Viren moves into range and clinches up with Mendoza.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viren is working Mendoza over against the cage.
Knees to the body from Viren.
Mendoza changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Viren fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zane Viren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miguel Mendoza.
Mendoza is breathing heavily.
Mendoza wants to slow Viren down by chopping away at his legs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Viren. Mendoza does a little dance to reset his feet.
Viren misses with a straight left.
Viren looks to throw the jab but Mendoza is out of range.
Viren misses with a left hand

and Mendoza counters with a single leg into guard. Viren didn't expect that.
Viren bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mendoza's guard.

Viren gets to his feet. Mendoza looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mendoza looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mendoza keeps the fight on the outside.
Sloppy strikes from Viren. Those never looked like landing.
Viren throws an off balance right hand
and Mendoza counters with a three punch combo that has Viren backing up. Viren nods at Mendoza to acknowledge the strikes.
A big left from Viren misses.
Zane Viren is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendoza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Viren.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza shoots in for a double leg but Viren sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Viren fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mendoza on the side of the head.

Mendoza throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Viren tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendoza is in Viren's guard.
Viren keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.
Viren working a defensive guard here.
Viren lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mendoza!
Mendoza is squirming around, avoiding Viren's attempts to control the action.
Viren putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Mendoza is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mendoza tries to lock up and control but Viren gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Viren.
Viren prevents Mendoza from getting the reversal.
Viren sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Miguel Mendoza has got the better of the ground game so far.
Viren throws some wild stikes that Mendoza manages to avoid easily.
Viren landing strikes from the mount.
Viren avoids the attempt from Mendoza to control.
Mendoza slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Viren wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mendoza keeps working.
Mendoza trying to hold on to Viren's head to control him but Viren postures up.
Viren trying to control the action but Mendoza is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mendoza is trying to get back to full guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Zane Viren wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Mendoza forces Viren back against the cage and clinches.
Viren is pressed up against the cage. Mendoza has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Viren down to the mat. Viren avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mendoza misses with a two punch combination.
A jab from Viren finds it's way through Mendoza's defenses.
Mendoza takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Viren showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mendoza.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mendoza shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Viren tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Viren is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Miguel Mendoza will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mendoza throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Viren tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendoza is in Viren's guard.
Mendoza stopping the sweep attempt from Viren.
Viren manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mendoza manages to get himself to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mendoza can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mendoza 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.
Mendoza is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Viren lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mendoza avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Viren working some strikes from top position.
Mendoza trying to control the position here.
Viren is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viren being controlled here momentarily.
Mendoza not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Miguel Mendoza hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Mendoza tries to score with a low kick but Viren moves his leg out of the way.
Viren lands a glancing blow to the side of Mendoza's head.
Mendoza takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mendoza tries to score with a low kick but Viren moves his leg out of the way.
Viren tries to bum rush Mendoza with a series of wild strikes but Mendoza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Viren closes the distance but Mendoza moves to the side

and Mendoza counters with a single leg into guard. Viren didn't expect that.

Mendoza 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.
Mendoza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viren wants to sweep but no luck.
Mendoza is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Viren is trying to control the position but Mendoza postures up.
Mendoza wants to control from the top but Viren keeps moving.
Viren manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mendoza manages to get himself to full guard.
Viren thows a big elbow that misses.
Viren controlling from the top position.
Viren in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Viren loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viren wants to control from the top but Mendoza keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Viren displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendoza.
Mendoza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Viren.
Viren wants to clinch.
Viren loads up on a big right hand but Mendoza slips the punch.
Mendoza fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mendoza walks into a left hand.
Mendoza swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendoza.
Mendoza fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zane Viren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miguel Mendoza.
Viren uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mendoza has time to react.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Viren.
Mendoza fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendoza.
Mendoza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Viren connects with a crisp jab.
Viren tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendoza swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mendoza shoots in for a takedown but Viren shows good takedown defense.
Viren dips to his left and cracks Mendoza with an uppercut!
Viren lands with a shot to the body.

Viren rushes Mendoza and presses him up against the cage.
Viren lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Viren as the two fighters clinch.
Viren lands a good knee to the midsection. Mendoza won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Viren lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Viren cracks Mendoza with a nice body shot.
Viren lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mendoza backwards.
Viren scores a nice knee to the body.
Viren with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zane Viren showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Viren has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zane Viren!