PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Grigoriy Rasputin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rasputin
vs
Mendez

187 cm
22
260 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

194 cm
22
280 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Powerful

Prestige Clothing

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Grigoriy Rasputin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xavier Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez misses with a two punch combination.
Mendez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rasputin tries to clinch
and Mendez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mendez takes a swing at Rasputin's ribcage but misses.
Mendez scores with a nice right hand.
Rasputin tries to clinch but Mendez moves out of range.
Rasputin darts in trying to clinch
and Mendez counters with a series of strikes. Rasputin will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mendez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rasputin.
Mendez swings away with a body shot that misses

and Rasputin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rasputin trying to mount his opponent but Mendez defends it.
Mendez wants to control but Rasputin is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez is looking to escape.

Rasputin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mendez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rasputin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mendez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mendez tries to roll over but Rasputin keeps him under control.

Rasputin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mendez sees it coming and defends easily.
Mendez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendez wants to get back to his feet.
Rasputin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mendez's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mendez gets full guard.

Mendez uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mendez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mendez lands a right hook to the body.
Mendez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Mendez takes the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Mendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mendez is trying to force a seperation but Rasputin has the dominant position.
Rasputin digs a right hand into Mendez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mendez's gas tank.
Mendez wants to break free but Rasputin has control.
Mendez tries to break free but Rasputin pushes him back against the cage.
Rasputin tries to score a body lock takedown but Mendez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mendez is trying to force a seperation but Rasputin has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mendez avoids it.
Mendez tries to circle away but Rasputin has him pinned against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Mendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rasputin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mendez is defending well for now.
Rasputin throws an elbow that misses.
Mendez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A frustrated look appears on Mendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rasputin goes for a takedown attempt but Mendez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mendez throws a series of punches but Rasputin avoids them all with ease.
Rasputin moves out of range of the body kick.
Rasputin tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Mendez counters with a head kick.
Mendez misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez takes a swing at Rasputin's ribcage but misses.
A shot to the body from Mendez misses

and Rasputin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rasputin working Mendez over with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rasputin.
Mendez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rasputin lands a knee to the head.
Rasputin unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mendez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mendez.
Mendez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mendez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rasputin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grigoriy Rasputin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mendez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rasputin trying to land knees to the body.
Rasputin lands a nice knee to the body.
Mendez looks gassed!
Mendez avoiding damage as Rasputin throws knees to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Mendez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Xavier Mendez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rasputin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mendez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rasputin circles away.
Rasputin tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mendez tries to land a leg kick but Rasputin saw it coming and moves away.
Some wild striking there from Mendez.
Rasputin wants to clinch up but Mendez keeps it at a distance.
Rasputin tries to clinch but Mendez is having none of it.
Mendez misses with a hook

and Rasputin counters by clinching up.

That's six 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.
A frustrated look appears on Mendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Mendez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mendez throws a low kick, looking for Rasputin's leg but Rasputin calmly moves out of range.

Mendez gets a clinch.
Rasputin scores a nice knee to the body.
Rasputin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mendez pulls his leg out and moves away.
A shot to the body from Mendez misses

and Rasputin moves into the clinch.
Rasputin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mendez.
Rasputin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mendez is defending well for now.
Mendez is trying to push Rasputin away but Rasputin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Mendez is fighting off a takedown attempt but Rasputin is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mendez to the mat. Mendez regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Mendez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rasputin manages to get himself to full guard.

Rasputin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rasputin working a defensive guard here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Rasputin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rasputin looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez wants to stand but Rasputin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rasputin is trying to keep Mendez in close.

Mendez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rasputin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rasputin has escaped and now he's on top!

That's eight 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.
Rasputin trying to control but Mendez is working from the bottom.
Mendez being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rasputin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendez is keeping the position for now.
Mendez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rasputin wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Mendez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rasputin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

We're going to have a standup here because Grigoriy Rasputin wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rasputin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mendez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rasputin somewhat.
Rasputin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendez misses with a hook.
Mendez throws a leg kick that is checked

and Rasputin counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Xavier Mendez will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mendez looks for a takedown but Rasputin sprawls well.
Grigoriy Rasputin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mendez looks to land a right hand but Rasputin moved out of range.
Mendez throws a shot from downtown. Rasputin moves away and avoids it.
Mendez is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rasputin rather than just go for the knockout.
Mendez throws a nice looking combination but Rasputin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Rasputin pushes Mendez up against the cage in a clinch.

Mendez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Mendez.

Rasputin drives through with a takedown into Mendez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rasputin wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez trying to control the position.
Rasputin looking to pass the guard.
Mendez is trying to keep Rasputin in close.
Mendez looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendez, not yet.

Xavier Mendez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rasputin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rasputin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mendez as he jumps to the side.

That's two 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.
Rasputin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mendez.
Rasputin moves in looking to clinch but Mendez pushes him off.
Rasputin tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Mendez counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rasputin!
Rasputin tries to reverse the position but Mendez maintains control.
Mendez controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin is trying desperately to improve position.
Rasputin tries to hold on but Mendez pushes him away.
Mendez tries to control but Rasputin wriggling away.
Mendez is looking to stand but Mendez has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Rasputin wants to hold on but Mendez pushes him away.
Rasputin is working to get back to half guard.

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.

Mendez stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Rasputin tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Mendez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mendez keeps the fight on the outside.
A low kick from Mendez misses

so Rasputin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rasputin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mendez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rasputin preventing the sweep.
Mendez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rasputin is controlling him.

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

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendez is keeping the position for now.
Mendez wants to hit a switch here but Rasputin passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mendez there!
Rasputin thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Rasputin looking for a guillotine from mount but Mendez is having none of it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

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

Rasputin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rasputin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Mendez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rasputin is looking to take a break and control but Mendez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mendez sneaks out the side door and pushes Rasputin away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin tries to clinch there but Mendez circles away.
Rasputin closes the distance but Mendez moves to the side
and Mendez counters with a one-two to the body.
No joy there for Mendez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Mendez gets tackled into the cage by Rasputin. Rasputin maintains the clinch.
Rasputin looking for a takedown.
Mendez managing to block the knees to the body from Rasputin.
Mendez lands a left hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mendez wants to break free but Rasputin has control.
Rasputin has Mendez pressed against the cage, preventing Mendez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mendez misses with a knee strike.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is trying to break free.
Mendez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mendez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mendez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rasputin has him pressed against the cage.
Rasputin wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grigoriy Rasputin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez wants to break free but Rasputin has control.
Rasputin tries to score a body lock takedown but Mendez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mendez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mendez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rasputin misses with an elbow strike.
Rasputin prevents Mendez from breaking the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rasputin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mendez's brow.
A frustrated look appears on Mendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mendez lands with a right to the head.
Rasputin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mendez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rasputin is looking to clinch but Mendez is avoiding it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Mendez misses.
Rasputin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mendez. That's going to slow Rasputin down.
Mendez tries to land a leg kick but Rasputin saw it coming and moves away.
Rasputin tries to clinch

and Mendez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mendez.
Rasputin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Mendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mendez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mendez takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mendez is trying to force a seperation but Rasputin has the dominant position.
Mendez has Rasputin pushed against the cage.

Rasputin works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Mendez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rasputin closes the distance but Mendez moves to the side
and Mendez counters with a good low kick that Rasputin was not able to check.
Mendez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rasputin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mendez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rasputin wants to clinch.
Xavier Mendez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rasputin doesn't manage to clinch there - Mendez circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mendez shoots in looking for a takedown. Rasputin tries to sprawl out of it but Mendez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rasputin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mendez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rasputin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Mendez circles away from the clinch attempt
and Mendez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rasputin tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Mendez counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez connects with a nice looking jab.
Rasputin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rasputin ducks under a wild hook from Mendez.
Rasputin closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mendez counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Mendez throws a series of punches but Rasputin moves out of range.
Rasputin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mendez. Mendez obviously looking to wear him down.
Rasputin fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez swinging wildly here.
Rasputin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mendez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Mendez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rasputin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rasputin closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mendez counters with an inside leg kick.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown but Rasputin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Grigoriy Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Mendez.

Rasputin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rasputin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Grigoriy Rasputin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mendez tries to get to full guard but Rasputin has control of the leg.
Rasputin trying to control from half guard but Mendez is working away.
Mendez trying to hold on to Rasputin's head to control him but Rasputin postures up.

Rasputin is working for a kimura but Mendez is defending it quite comfortably.
Mendez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rasputin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rasputin's back!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Mendez trying to control momentarily.
Mendez is controlling the position but Rasputin somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Mendez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rasputin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rasputin wants to control but Mendez is keeping busy.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rasputin is looking to improve his position.
Mendez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mendez prevents Rasputin from improving his position.
Mendez is thwarting Rasputin's attempts to control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Rasputin is refusing to be controlled, as Mendez sits in half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Xavier Mendez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rasputin closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mendez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mendez tries to bum rush Rasputin with a series of wild strikes but Rasputin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rasputin shoots in looking for a takedown. Mendez tries to sprawl out of it but Rasputin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mendez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mendez tries a head kick but it misses.
Rasputin is looking to clinch.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rasputin looks to clinch

and Mendez counters with a single leg into guard. Rasputin didn't expect that.
Rasputin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mendez won't allow Rasputin to sweep him here.
Mendez stays in close to Rasputin's body and controls the position.
Rasputin has a closed guard, preventing Mendez from standing up.
Rasputin controls Mendez momentarily but Mendez frees himself.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mendez looks to land a left hand but Rasputin moved out of range nicely.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Mendez connects with an inside leg kick.
Rasputin wants to clinch.
Rasputin tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Mendez counters with a one-two to the body.
A punch combination from Mendez misses.
Mendez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Xavier Mendez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
No luck for Mendez with that takedown attempt.
Grigoriy Rasputin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rasputin wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Mendez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mendez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight for Xavier Mendez!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Xavier Mendez!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Xavier Mendez!

Xavier Mendez wins by unanimous decision!