PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tuco Mendoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kahlua Zordick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendoza's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Lamb of God - Descending. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mendoza
vs
Zordick

177 cm
21
162 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

165 cm
29
160 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Good kicks
Powerful

Burning Fist Apparel

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tuco Mendoza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kahlua Zordick!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendoza scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zordick doesn't seem bothered though.
Zordick pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Zordick shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mendoza manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Zordick stands and throws Mendoza's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Zordick tries to stand but Mendoza is controlling his head.
Zordick is looking to take a break and control but Mendoza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Zordick goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mendoza has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Zordick but great work by Mendoza.
Zordick is looking for a sweep.
Zordick can't do much from the bottom here.
Zordick is not content to let Mendoza control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza in side control, throwing shots but Zordick defends.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zordick is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Zordick is looking for a sweep. Mendoza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mendoza throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Mendoza is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zordick is just riding it out for now. Mendoza eventually gives up the hold.

Mendoza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zordick sees it coming and defends easily.

Zordick looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mendoza is keen to just control but Zordick is a slippery customer.
Zordick regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mendoza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zordick swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zordick is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zordick working for a triangle but Mendoza defends it easily.
Zordick is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendoza trying to control but Zordick is working from the bottom.
Mendoza will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mendoza keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zordick's head.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Zordick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendoza slips nicely into half guard.
Mendoza throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Zordick actively working from the bottom here.
Zordick wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zordick is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mendoza pulls his head out easily.
Mendoza trying to control from half guard but Zordick is working away.
Zordick blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mendoza.
Mendoza trying to control from half guard but Zordick is working away.

Mendoza is working for a submission of some sort.
Zordick tries to roll over but Mendoza keeps him under control.
Mendoza slips a nice elbow through Zordick's hands, connecting with Zordick's forehead.
Mendoza trying to control the action but Zordick is working from the bottom.
Mendoza is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Zordick is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Mendoza content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is looking to take a break and control but Zordick is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Zordick is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mendoza pulls his head out easily.
Mendoza stalling away here and it's allowed Zordick to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Zordick lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mendoza!
Zordick sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zordick goes for an armbar but Mendoza turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Mendoza.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mendoza in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kahlua Zordick will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mendoza's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zordick throws a leg kick which misses Mendoza's front leg but catches the back leg as Mendoza tries to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mendoza.

Mendoza tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mendoza wants to take a breather but Zordick manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Mendoza.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zordick looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zordick working a defensive guard here.

Zordick working for a triangle but Mendoza defends it easily.
Mendoza content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza is pushing down on Zordick's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zordick is fighting to maintain full guard but Mendoza has managed to sneak the leg through.

Mendoza wants to work for an arm triangle but Zordick is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Mendoza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zordick sees it coming and defends easily.
Well, if Mendoza is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mendoza is looking to pass Zordick's guard but actually Zordick recovers to full guard.

Zordick looking for a guillotine here but Mendoza defends easily.
Mendoza looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Zordick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendoza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zordick swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mendoza postures up.
Mendoza postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Zordick had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mendoza defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mendoza working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mendoza trying to control but Zordick is working from the bottom.

Zordick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mendoza gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mendoza chips away with some ground and pound.
Zordick keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.

Zordick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mendoza gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Zordick is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mendoza defends well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendoza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendoza wants to control from the top but Zordick keeps moving.
Mendoza works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mendoza winds up and cracks Zordick with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Zordick keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zordick is refusing to be controlled, as Mendoza sits in half guard.
Mendoza lands strikes from half guard.
Zordick keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zordick is pressing down on Mendoza's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zordick keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.

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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Zordick looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tuco Mendoza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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 trying to control the position from guard on top but Zordick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zordick trying to control the position.

Mendoza got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zordick has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mendoza has managed to get both his arms back between Zordick's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tuco Mendoza will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A big right from Mendoza misses.
Zordick connects with an inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zordick. That's going to slow Mendoza down.

Mendoza gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zordick trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendoza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zordick postures up in Mendoza's guard and throws a big left but Mendoza blocks it.
Zordick throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mendoza works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zordickis looking to pass into half guard but Mendoza pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Mendoza is in guard.
Mendoza has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zordick wants to sweep but no luck.
Zordick is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zordick has momentary wrist control but Mendoza slips an elbow through the middle.
Mendoza is stalling in the full guard.
Zordick keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.

Zordick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mendoza gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mendoza throwing strikes but missing.

Zordick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mendoza gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zordick takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mendoza wants to control from the top but Zordick keeps moving.
Zordick not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Zordick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tuco Mendoza.

Mendoza shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zordick napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zordick is trying to get back to half guard.

Mendoza tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mendoza has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Mendoza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Mendoza tries for a kimura but Zordick is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mendoza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zordick tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mendoza wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Mendoza tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Mendoza tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mendoza has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Zordick is trying to control Mendoza's posture but Mendoza avoids it.
Mendoza in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zordick is not content to let Mendoza control the position.

Zordick throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Zordick wants to clinch but Mendoza slips to the side
and Mendoza counters with a stiff right hand.
Mendoza connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zordick's hands.
Zordick misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mendoza throws a shot from downtown. Zordick moves away and avoids it.

Mendoza drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zordick can't do much from the bottom here.
Zordick is not content to let Mendoza control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tuco Mendoza.
I think Mendoza 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tuco Mendoza!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Tuco Mendoza made sure he mentioned Burning Fist Apparel, along with how happy he was to win his fight.