PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gyawang Lhad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karlos Mendieta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lhad comes to the cage accompanied by Iced Earth - Anthem. 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.

Lhad
vs
Mendieta

198 cm
19
244 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

220 cm
23
280 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gyawang Lhad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karlos Mendieta!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendieta tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Lhad counters by clinching up.
Mendieta working hard to break the clinch.
Lhad tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lhad is trying to drag Mendieta to the mat but Mendieta just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lhad wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gyawang Lhad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lhad landing knees to the body.
Mendieta has had enough of the clinch but Lhad keeps him there for the moment.

Mendieta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mendieta clinches with his opponent.
Mendieta wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mendieta wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lhad has him pressed against the cage.
Mendieta looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Mendieta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lhad working Mendieta over with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lhad breaks the clinch.
Karlos Mendieta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendieta tries to clinch but Lhad moves away

and Lhad counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mendieta looks winded!
Mendieta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lhad controlling from the top position.
Lhad knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mendieta on the ground.

We're going to have a standup here because Gyawang Lhad wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Mendieta fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lhad circles away from the clinch attempt

and Lhad counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Mendieta!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lhad controlling the position easily from mount.
Lhad landing punches.
Lhad landing shots from mount.

Lhad goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Mendieta is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lhad is wriggling around but Mendieta manages to pass to half guard.

Mendieta is trying to work for a kimura but Lhad is defending well.
Lhad is looking for a sweep. Mendieta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lhad is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mendieta pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gyawang Lhad dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mendieta fails with an attempt to clinch.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Lhad here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Lhad closes the distance and pushes Mendieta back into the cage.
Lhad jumps guard but Mendieta turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Lhad pulls guard effortlessly.
Lhad is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mendieta tries to clinch
and Lhad counters with a nice leg kick.
Lhad shoots in for a takedown but Mendieta shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mendieta moves to clinch but Lhad breaks away
and Lhad counters with a flying knee. Nice.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mendieta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mendieta tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Lhad counters with a stiff right hand.

Lhad gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Lhad manages to break the clinch.
Gyawang Lhad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendieta avoids the head kick by Lhad.
Lhad fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mendieta avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gyawang Lhad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lhad circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mendieta tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Lhad counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendieta.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mendieta is defended easily by Lhad.
Mendieta shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendieta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lhad swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lhad circles away from the clinch attempt
and Lhad counters with a big head kick but Mendieta shrugs it off.
Mendieta tries to clinch but Lhad moves away

and Lhad holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendieta throws a knee to the head but misses.

Mendieta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Lhad pushes Mendieta up against the cage in a clinch.

Lhad pulls guard successfully.

Lhad has his feet on Mendieta's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Mendieta is breathing heavily.
Mendieta moves to clinch but Lhad breaks away

and Lhad counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lhad.

Mendieta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mendieta tries to clinch
enabling Lhad to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendieta looks for a takedown but Lhad sprawls well.
Mendieta closes the distance looking to clinch

and Lhad holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lhad utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Lhad has Mendieta pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Lhad pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mendieta tumbling to the mat - Lhad dives into Mendieta's guard.
Lhad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendieta is keeping the position for now.
Lhad's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gyawang Lhad just wasn't active enough.

Lhad shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mendieta is trying to defend but Lhad finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lhad is controlling the pace.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gyawang Lhad dominated that second round.
That's time! Lhad's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Lhad.
Mendieta tries to clinch up
and Lhad makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mendieta closes the distance but Lhad moves to the side
and Lhad counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mendieta moves in looking to clinch but Lhad pushes him off.
Mendieta tries to clinch but Lhad moves away

and Lhad counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lhad.
Lhad tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mendieta smiles and moves away.
Mendieta wants to clinch but Lhad slips to the side
and Lhad counters with a right hand to the body.
Lhad stuffs the takedown.
Mendieta wants to clinch

and Lhad counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lhad utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mendieta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Lhad ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lhad no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lhad looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mendieta puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Lhad is trying to get back to full guard.
Lhad might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lhad is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lhad wants to improve his position but Mendieta is controlling well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mendieta tries to clinch but Lhad moves away
and Lhad counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mendieta thinking.
Lhad shoots in for a takedown but Mendieta shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gyawang Lhad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lhad shoots in for a takedown but Mendieta shows good takedown defense.
Gyawang Lhad is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lhad with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mendieta looks to clinch

and Lhad counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Mendieta!
Lhad controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gyawang Lhad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gyawang Lhad wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Mendieta closes the distance but Lhad moves to the side

and Lhad moves into the clinch.
Lhad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mendieta can do to turn this around?
Lhad tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mendieta is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lhad is defending well for now.
Mendieta using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lhad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendieta wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mendieta is trying to break free.
Karlos Mendieta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knees in the clinch landing for Lhad.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gyawang Lhad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lhad has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gyawang Lhad!
Gyawang Lhad seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.