PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jake The REF (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ed Meza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The REF comes to the cage accompanied by N-17-Hail. Meza is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Lingua de tamandua. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

The REF
vs
Meza

176 cm
22
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

BioPharm Nutrition

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jake The REF!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ed Meza!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The REF looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Meza is defending against the submission attempts here by The REF.
The REF throwing shots but Meza is blocking nicely.
Meza missing with punches from the bottom.

The REF is looking for a kimura here.
Meza on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

The REF is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Meza defends it well.
Meza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Meza is looking to improve his position.
The REF wants to stand up but Meza has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meza keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Meza throws a sloppy head kick and The REF moves out of range easily.
Meza shoots and misses

and The REF counters with a single leg into guard. Meza didn't expect that.
Meza tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Meza not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The REF looking to pass the guard.
Meza is trying to control the position but The REF postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Meza is on top in guard.
The REF tries to strike from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Meza tries to free his leg and advance position but The REF is retaining full guard.
The REF keeping moving, preventing Meza from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The REF had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Meza is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. The REF Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Meza's back instead.
The REF is breathing heavily.

Meza is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if The REF gets his way!

The REF is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Meza turns into The REF and is now in his guard.
Meza slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

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

The REF is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meza slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Meza avoids the strikes from the bottom by The REF.
The REF is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Meza asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Meza has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Meza shoots and misses
and The REF counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Meza feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to The REF's calf.
A thudding body kick lands there by Meza!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meza tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and The REF counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Meza pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Meza fails with the takedown

and The REF counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Meza!
Jake The REF has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ed Meza.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Meza takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The REF scoring with strikes but Meza is staying in there.

The REF looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Meza thows a body kick. The REF tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Meza throws a head kick that The REF semi-blocks.
Meza tries for a takedown but The REF circles away easily

and The REF counters with a nice double leg into side control. Meza won't be happy with that.

The REF thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Meza is trying to control The REF's posture but The REF avoids it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The REF wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Meza, who protects the arm well.

The REF is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Meza is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Meza sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Meza trying to control from the bottom.
Meza tries to get to full guard but The REF has control of the leg.

The REF is trying to work for a kimura but Meza is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Meza looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The REF working the head and body with strikes.

Meza is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but The REF pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The REF frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

The REF wants to finish this one by submission but Meza is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from The REF.
The REF misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The REF throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Meza because The REF loaded up on that one.
Meza is wriggling around trying to escape.
The REF takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

The REF goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Meza turns into him and now he's in The REF's guard.
Meza trying to control the position from guard on top but The REF is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The REF working for a triangle but Meza defends it easily.
Meza trying to control the position from guard on top but The REF is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The REF is trying to control the position but Meza postures up.
Meza trying to control but The REF is working from the bottom.
Meza stopping the sweep attempt from The REF.
The REF trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Meza trying to control but The REF is working from the bottom.
The REF bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Meza's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake The REF dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Meza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Meza tries to clinch but The REF moves away
and The REF connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Meza throws a nice looking combination but The REF bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Meza looks for the body kick but The REF saw that one coming.
Meza misses with a takedown

and The REF counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The REF keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Meza's head.
The REF landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The REF is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The REF keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Meza's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meza looking for a sweep. Not yet Meza, not yet.
The REF wants to control from the top but Meza keeps moving.
The REF cracks Meza with a solid left hand.
The REF passes into half guard.
Meza is looking for a sweep. The REF is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jake The REF overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The REF landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The REF lands strikes from half guard.

The REF stands up and beckons Meza to join him on the feet.
Meza pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The REF misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Meza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from The REF.
Meza shoots and misses

and The REF counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Meza is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst The REF is controlling him.
The REF postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Meza utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Meza avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The REF drops back, looking for a kneebar! Meza looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Meza looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Meza!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The REF wants to control but Meza postures up.
The REF manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Meza tries to kick The REF off but The REF keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Meza is pressing down on The REF's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The REF is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The REF lands a couple of elbows.

Meza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. The REF doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. The REF manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

The REF drops back looking for a leg! Meza is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Meza manages to kick The REF off! The REF jumps back into Meza's guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as The REF accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Meza looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The REF stands and steps away. Meza gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Meza misses with a takedown
and The REF counters with a three punch combo that has Meza backing up. Meza nods at The REF to acknowledge the strikes.
Ed Meza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jake The REF has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ed Meza.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Meza plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake The REF showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for The REF, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake The REF!