PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tiago Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Strikes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendez's entrance music is Trap Door. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mendez
vs
Strikes

184 cm
34
180 lbs
25 - 23 - 0

186 cm
32
180 lbs
24 - 24 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 23 - 0, fighting out of London, Tiago Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 24 - 1, fighting out of London, Carlos Strikes!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez doesn't manage to clinch there - Strikes circles away.
Mendez misses with a wild combination.
Strikes pushes Mendez away with a front kick.
Strikes throws a right and a left that Mendez avoids nicely.
Strikes throws a body punch but Mendez moves out of range.

Mendez tries to keep at a distance but Strikes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Strikes displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mendez up against the cage.
Strikes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mendez wants to take the fight to the mat but Strikes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Strikes breaks the clinch.

Mendez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Strikes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Mendez is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Strikes will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikes wants to get back to his feet.

Mendez tries for a kimura but Strikes is defending well.
Strikes takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Strikes gets back to half guard.
Mendez throwing shots but Strikes is blocking nicely.
Strikes is staying active underneath Mendez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Strikes wants to get back to full guard.
Mendez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Strikes knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strikes is looking to escape.

Mendez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Strikes has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mendez is keen to just control but Strikes is a slippery customer.
Mendez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Mendez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
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!

Mendez is looking for a kimura but Strikes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mendez to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mendez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Mendez is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mendez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Strikes is looking to control Mendez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Strikes avoid being mounted?
Mendez trying to control the action but Strikes is working from the bottom.

Mendez is trying to work for a kimura but Strikes is defending well.
Strikes trying to control but Mendez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strikes wants to get back to full guard.
Strikes slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mendez passes Strikes's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Mendez prevents Strikes from improving his position.

Mendez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Strikes is just riding it out for now. Mendez eventually gives up the hold.
Mendez is looking to advance position but Strikes won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiago Mendez dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Strikes throws a sloppy head kick and Mendez moves out of range easily.

Strikes clinches.

Strikes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strikes connects with a high kick.

It looks like Tiago Mendez has been cut.
Strikes wants to clinch.

Mendez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Mendez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Strikes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Strikes wants to get back to his feet but Mendez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendez forces his way into half guard.
Strikes is not content to let Mendez control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendez stands up out of the half guard.

Strikes takes the fight into the clinch.
Mendez avoids a wild elbow strike from Strikes.
Strikes just leaning against Mendez, taking a breather.

Strikes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strikes misses with a double jab.
Strikes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mendez shoots in and drives through. Strikes sprawls well.
Mendez wants to clinch.

Mendez feints and as Strikes raises his hands in defense, Mendez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Strikes working a defensive guard but Mendez passes into half guard.
Mendez is looking to take a break and control but Strikes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mendez stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Strikes to get to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice inside leg kick there by Strikes. That's going to slow Mendez down.
Strikes bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Mendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Mendez wants to clinch up but Strikes keeps it at a distance.
Strikes is looking to clinch.
Carlos Strikes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Strikes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Strikes lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The referee calls for Strikes to work.
Mendez working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strikes lands a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Strikes manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mendez has had enough of the clinch but Strikes keeps him there for the moment.

Strikes manages to break the clinch.

Strikes rushes Mendez and presses him up against the cage.
Strikes stops a takedown attempt from Mendez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tiago Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Strikes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mendez is looking to clinch but Strikes is avoiding it.
Mendez tries for a takedown but Strikes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mendez shoots for a double leg takedown but Strikes sprawls well. He's pushed Mendez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strikes rushes Mendez and presses him up against the cage.
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!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Strikes breaks from the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendez.

Mendez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Strikes is trying to defend but Mendez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Strikes is looking to control Mendez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Strikes avoid being mounted?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Strikes wants to improve his position but Mendez is controlling well.

Mendez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Strikes has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Strikes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tiago Mendez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mendez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Strikes scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mendez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Strikes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mendez misses with a head kick.

Strikes moves into the clinch.

Strikes drops Mendez with a big knee straight up the middle! Mendez is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Mendez is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strikes fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mendez.
Oh Mendez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mendez tries for a takedown but Strikes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tiago Mendez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strikes tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Strikes wants to clinch up but Mendez keeps it at a distance.
Strikes swats away the attempt to clinch by Mendez.
Mendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Strikes throws a series of punches but Mendez moves out of range.
Mendez seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Strikes keeps the fight on the outside.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Strikes but Strikes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tiago Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikes tries to clinch but Mendez moves out of range.

Strikes rushes Mendez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mendez is trying to break the clinch but Strikes has him pressed against the cage.

Strikes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strikes tries to clinch but Mendez is having none of it.
Strikes feints and then cracks Mendez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendez down.

Strikes closes the distance and pushes Mendez back into the cage.
Strikes stops a takedown attempt from Mendez.

Strikes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mendez misses with a body kick.

Strikes closes the distance and clinches.
Strikes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Strikes breaks the clinch.
Mendez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Strikes is fending him off so far but Mendez persists. Nope, Strikes circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez blocks a head kick by Strikes.
Mendez has a takedown stuffed.
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!
Strikes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Strikes clinches with his opponent.
Strikes lands with a left to the head.
Strikes displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mendez up against the cage.
Mendez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Strikes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Strikes takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Carlos Strikes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mendez jumps guard but Strikes stands there with Mendez around his waist. Mendez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mendez goes for a takedown attempt but Strikes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strikes scores with a head kick.

Strikes lands a big head kick that sends Mendez tumbling to the mat! Strikes takes a step backwards and waves Mendez back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strikes tries to clinch but Mendez moves out of range.
Strikes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mendez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Strikes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Mendez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Strikes punishes Mendez's body with a nice straight punch.
Strikes throws a series of punches but Mendez moves out of range.
Carlos Strikes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strikes wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Strikes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A punch combination from Strikes misses.
Strikes throws a head kick that misses.
Strikes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Strikes looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendez is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strikes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Strikes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mendez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Strikes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mendez shoots for a double leg takedown but Strikes sprawls well. He's pushed Mendez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Strikes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendez.
Mendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Strikes wants to clinch.

Strikes moves into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mendez tries to pull guard but Strikes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Knees to the body from Strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Strikes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Strikes 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

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