PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taka Yoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paolo Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendez has chosen Jay-Z - Brooklyn We Go Hard as his entrance music. Paolo Mendez is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Yoshi
vs
Mendez

190 cm
21
220 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
212 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Tropical Breeze Health Foods
MMA's Best Nutrition

Non-Stop Nutrition
Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taka Yoshi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paolo Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mendez. That did some damage!
Yoshi feints and then cracks Mendez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendez down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Yoshi.
Yoshi doesn't manage to clinch there - Mendez circles away.
Yoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Mendez moves out of range easily.
Yoshi throws a low kick but Mendez avoids it.
Mendez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mendez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mendez avoids a kick to the body.
Yoshi tries to clinch up.
Yoshi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yoshi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mendez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Yoshi or perhaps it was just good defense by Mendez which made him look bad.
Yoshi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mendez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mendez takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Yoshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mendez has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Yoshi.
Yoshi shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taka Yoshi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yoshi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mendez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Mendez as Yoshi shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi throws a body punch but Mendez moves out of range.
Yoshi looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendez is just out of range.
Yoshi digs a good body shot into Mendez's ribs.
Yoshi misses with a looping left.

Yoshi shoots in and bounces Mendez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

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

Mendez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yoshi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mendez wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yoshi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez 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.
Mendez is trying to control the position but Yoshi postures up.
Yoshi looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yoshi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Yoshi lands with a kick to the temple. Mendez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A nice inside leg kick there by Yoshi. That's going to slow Mendez down.
Mendez stuffs the takedown attempt from Yoshi. Yoshi gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Mendez. No joy for Yoshi on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi shoots in but Mendez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A big left from Yoshi misses.
Yoshi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mendez avoids the head kick by Yoshi.
Yoshi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mendez but Mendez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yoshi throws a body kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yoshi tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Yoshi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Yoshi clobbers Mendez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Yoshi throws a nice looking combination but Mendez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice takedown defense from Mendez. No joy for Yoshi on that attempt.

Yoshi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mendez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Yoshi is putting a hurting on Mendez here, landing some big shots from side control.
Yoshi tries to move to mount but Mendez blocks the move with his legs.

Yoshi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mendez, who protects the arm well.
Mendez dodges the ground and pound from Yoshi.
Yoshi trying to control the action but Mendez is working from the bottom.
Mendez is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendez actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mendez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Mendez is looking for a triangle but Yoshi pushes his legs off easily.
Mendez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Mendez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mendez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Yoshi manages to get himself to full guard.
Mendez trying to control but Yoshi is working from the bottom.
Yoshi wants to sweep but no luck.

Yoshi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mendez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yoshi is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi is trying to control the position but Mendez postures up.
Yoshi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mendez is one step ahead there.
Mendez tries to free his leg and advance position but Yoshi is retaining full guard.

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

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No joy there for Yoshi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yoshi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yoshi throws a right and a left that Mendez avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi misses the shot to the body.
Mendez blocks a head kick by Yoshi.
Yoshi misses with a low kick.
Yoshi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yoshi misses with a body kick.
Yoshi misses with the combination.
Yoshi is looking to wear down Mendez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Yoshi tries a head kick but it misses.
Yoshi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yoshi cracks the inside of Mendez's front leg.

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.
Yoshi misses with a few strikes there.
Yoshi throws a leg kick but Mendez checks it.
Yoshi closes the distance and clinches up with Mendez, looking for a takedown. Yoshi pushes Mendez against the cage but Mendez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mendez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Yoshi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yoshi throws a head kick but Mendez moves out of range.
Mendez lands a nice shot that snaps Yoshi's head back.
Yoshi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taka Yoshi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yoshi misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Paolo Mendez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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.

Mendez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Yoshi looks for a takedown but Mendez sprawls well.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yoshi as he jumps to the side.
Yoshi looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendez is just out of range.
Taka Yoshi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yoshi fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick from Yoshi lands but Mendez takes it in his stride.
Yoshi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mendez swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez slips a jab and a cross from Yoshi.
Yoshi misses with a few strikes there.
Yoshi throws a left and a right that both miss

and Mendez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mendez is trying to break the clinch but Yoshi has him pressed against the cage.
Mendez is trying to break the clinch but Yoshi has him pressed against the cage.
Yoshi pushes Mendez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mendez managing to block the knees to the body from Yoshi.
Yoshi jumps guard but Mendez stands there with Yoshi around his waist. Yoshi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mendez tries to stall but Yoshi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mendez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Yoshi just leaning against Mendez, taking a breather.
Mendez leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mendez lands a body shot in the clinch.
Yoshi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mendez lands a left hand.

Mendez breaks the clinch.

That's two 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.

Mendez gets caught flat footed, as Yoshi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Yoshi trying to control but Mendez is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mendez looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Yoshi passes into side control.
Mendez is looking for a sweep.
Mendez is not content to let Yoshi control the position.
Mendez sneaks back into half guard.
Mendez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mendez trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yoshi.
Mendez desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Mendez on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mendez is trying to maintain the position but Yoshi is very close to passing his half guard.
Mendez wants to improve his position but Yoshi is controlling well.
Yoshi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mendez moves into full guard.
Yoshi forces his way into half guard.
Yoshi seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez manages to get to full guard.

Mendez looking for a guillotine here but Yoshi defends easily.

Mendez working for submissions but it's allowed Yoshi to get to half guard.
Nice strikes from Yoshi there.
Yoshi passes to full mount!
Mendez regains half guard.
Mendez trying to hold on to Yoshi's head to control him but Yoshi postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Taka Yoshi did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yoshi tries for a takedown but Mendez circles away easily

and Mendez counters with a single leg into guard. Yoshi didn't expect that.
Yoshi wants to get back to his feet but Mendez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mendez slips nicely into half guard.
Mendez is keen to just control but Yoshi is a slippery customer.
Paolo Mendez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mendez trying to pass the guard but Yoshi defending well.
Yoshi tries to roll over but Mendez keeps him under control.
Mendez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Yoshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mendez moves out of range of the body kick.
Mendez takes a swing at Yoshi's ribcage but misses.
Yoshi shoots in for a double leg but Mendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yoshi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Yoshi closes the distance but Mendez moves to the side

and Mendez counters with a single leg into guard. Yoshi didn't expect that.
Mendez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yoshi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yoshi keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendez wants to pass the guard but Yoshi is keeping the position.
Mendez stopping the sweep attempt from Yoshi.
Mendez wants to control from the top but Yoshi keeps moving.
Yoshi striking off his back but it's not causing Mendez any problems.
Mendez with a flurry of punches that miss.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck for Yoshi with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taka Yoshi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yoshi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi is looking to land body kicks.
Yoshi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mendez counters with a right hand to the body.
A left and a right from Mendez both land. Nice combination.
Yoshi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yoshi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yoshi keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to de liver by Mendez. Beautiful body shot.

Mendez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Mendez frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mendez looking to finish Yoshi with some ground and pound. This is bad for Yoshi!

Mendez is working for a guillotine from mount but Yoshi frees his head quite easily.
Yoshi working to try and regain half guard.
Mendez looking to finish with strikes here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paolo Mendez dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yoshi misses with a series of wild punches.
Yoshi throws a series of punches but Mendez moves out of range.
Yoshi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Taka Yoshi is winning the standup battle so far.
Yoshi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez stuffs the takedown attempt from Yoshi. Yoshi gets slowly back to his feet.
Yoshi has his takedown stuffed
enabling Mendez to counter with a crisp jab.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mendez showed some decent athleticism there.
Mendez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yoshi keeps working.

Mendez is looking for a kimura here.

Mendez is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Yoshi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Yoshi is looking to improve his position.

Mendez is trying to work for a kimura but Yoshi is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yoshi kicks off Mendez and gets to his feet.
Mendez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Yoshi.
Yoshi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yoshi throws a wild body kick that Mendez sees coming a mile off.
Yoshi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yoshi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mendez as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taka Yoshi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mendez digs a good hook to Yoshi's body.
Yoshi throws a head kick that misses
and Mendez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Yoshi tries to clinch up.

Mendez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Mendez has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
A head kick misses from Yoshi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mendez lands in his opponent's guard.
Mendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yoshi is keeping the position for now.

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

Yoshi is looking for a triangle but Mendez pushes his legs off easily.
Yoshi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paolo Mendez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mendez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 46:48
Judge George Francis scores the fight 46:48
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 46:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paolo Mendez!
Paolo Mendez is the new light heavyweight champion!