PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ok Ko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesus Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Ko
vs
Mendes

190 cm
34
180 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

180 cm
29
155 lbs
20 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========#

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ok Ko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jesus Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Albert Achterberg and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes shoots in looking for a takedown but Ko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mendes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ko digs a good hook to Mendes's body.

Mendes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Mendes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mendes has Ko in his guard.
Mendes pulls Ko in to control the position.
Mendes controls Ko momentarily but Ko frees himself.

Mendes is looking for a triangle but Ko pushes his legs off easily.
Mendes trying to keep a closed guard but Ko is proving a slippery customer.
Ko has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ko trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ko has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mendes is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendes has his foot on Ko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ko works his way back into a safe position though.
Mendes working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ko looking to pass the guard.
Ko wants to stand and escape but instead Mendes has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Mendes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mendes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ko wants to get back to his feet.

Mendes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ko is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mendes is looking to take a break and control but Ko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Mendes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ko is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mendes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko is looking to reverse the position.
Mendes trying to control the action but Ko is working from the bottom.

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

Mendes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ko is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Mendes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mendes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mendes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Mendes has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ko is working away from the top position though.
Mendes moves into full guard.
Ko wants to stand but Mendes is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mendes looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendes, not yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ko tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendes is retaining full guard.

Mendes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mendes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Mendes dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Mendes throws a leg kick
and Ko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ko but Ko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ko tries to land a leg kick but Mendes saw it coming and moves away.
Mendes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Horrible takedown by Mendes or perhaps it was just good defense by Ko which made him look bad.
Ok Ko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesus Mendes.
Ko thows a body shot but no joy.
Mendes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ko connects with an inside leg kick.
Mendes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mendes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ko's waist but Ko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mendes off to one side.
Jesus Mendes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mendes throws a head kick but Ko moves out of range.
Mendes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mendes shoots in looking for a takedown. Ko tries to sprawl out of it but Mendes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Ko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ko tries a head kick but it misses.
Mendes dives in and grabs Ko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ko pushes down on Mendes's head and hops out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendes.
Horrible takedown by Mendes or perhaps it was just good defense by Ko which made him look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mendes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ko circles away.
Ok Ko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendes misses with a takedown attempt - Ko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ko does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mendes tries a head kick but it misses.

Mendes changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ko looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ko controlling the position for now.

Mendes is looking for a kimura here.
Ko is doing well to control the position and prevent Mendes from advancing to side control.

Mendes seems to be looking for submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mendes is thwarting Ko's attempts to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mendes is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ko defends it well.
Mendes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ko keeps working.
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 Ok Ko will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mendes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mendes throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mendes circles away quickly and effectively.
Ko throws a leg kick

and Mendes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mendes.
Ko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ko pulls his head out easily.
Ko is looking to take a break and control but Mendes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendes is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ko jumps into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mendes keeps working.
Ko throws an elbow but Mendes slips to the side and avoids it well.
Mendes is trying to control Ko's posture but Ko avoids it.
Ko is looking to take a break and control but Mendes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendes sneaks back into half guard.
Mendes is looking to improve his position.
Mendes is looking to control Ko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mendes avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is looking to improve his position.
It looks like Ko is going to stand back up.
Mendes wants to improve his position but Ko is controlling well.
Mendes wants to control but Ko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mendes makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mendes.
Ko trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.
Ko is looking to stand up but Mendes won't let him.

Ko stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ko misses with a head kick.

Mendes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ko's guard.
Ko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Ko keeps moving.
Mendes won't allow Ko to get back to his feet.
Mendes advances position into side control!
Ko tries to improve position but can't.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Mendes. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendes is trying to get an arm triangle but Ko is defending well.

Mendes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
You can see the frustration on Ko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Mendes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ko is trying to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendes wants to control but Ko is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Mendes really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Ko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ko keeping full guard, as Mendes tries to pass.
Mendes is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Mendes 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.
Ko wants to stand but Mendes is controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ko is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes wants to sweep here but Ko controlling him for the moment.

Mendes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ko defends well.
Mendes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Mendes has his foot on Ko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ko works his way back into a safe position though.
Mendes trying to keep a closed guard but Ko is proving a slippery customer.
Ko trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes wants to sweep but no luck.
Ko looking to pass the guard.
Ko wants to control from the top but Mendes keeps moving.
Mendes is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ok Ko.
Mendes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ko stuffs the takedown attempt from Mendes. Mendes gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko throws a big shot that misses.
Mendes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ok Ko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesus Mendes.
Mendes fails with the takedown.
Mendes shoots and misses
and Ko counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mendes is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Ko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ko wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mendes.
Ko throws a lazy right hand but Mendes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ko takes a swing at Mendes's ribcage but misses.
Mendes lands with a slapping head kick.
Ok Ko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ko wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice body punch from Ko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Jesus Mendes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ko cracks Mendes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Some wild striking there from Ko.
Ko feints and then cracks Mendes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendes down.
Ok Ko is winning the standup battle so far.
Mendes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mendes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mendes somewhat.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown but Ko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ok Ko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesus Mendes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendes moves away.
Mendes shoots in and drives through. Ko sprawls well.
Ko bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ko misses with a body kick.
Mendes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ko scores with a hook to the body. Mendes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mendes is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendes manages to avoid it.
Ko is looking to wear down Mendes with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Mendes shoots in but no luck this time.
Mendes takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ko lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ko throws a jab but it's blocked by Mendes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mendes tries for a takedown but Ko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ko as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Ko.
Mendes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ko tries to avoid it but Mendes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ko to the ground. Ko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ko thuds his shin into the meat of Mendes's side.
Ko misses with a two punch combination.
Ko throws a jab but it's blocked by Mendes.
Mendes fails with the takedown.
Mendes staying out of range there.
Jesus Mendes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ko is fending him off so far but Mendes persists. Nope, Ko circles away and we're back to standing.
Good shot there by Ko.
Ko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendes moves away.
Ok Ko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mendes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mendes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ko takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ko scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mendes in his tracks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ok Ko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mendes 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 47:48
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jesus Mendes!
Jesus Mendes is the new welterweight champion!
After the big win, Jesus Mendes made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========# and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.