PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Macotti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mendez
vs
Macotti

187 cm
25
215 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
205 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, George Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Marco Macotti!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Macotti.
Macotti shoots in but Mendez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A jab from Mendez finds it's way through Macotti's defenses.

Macotti gets the takedown into side control.
Macotti sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Mendez is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Macotti misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Mendez is looking to reverse the position.
Macotti tries to move into full mount but can't pass Mendez's legs.
Macotti is putting a hurting on Mendez here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mendez is trying to control Macotti's posture but Macotti avoids it.
Macotti scoring with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An elbow from Macotti crashes against the mat.

Macotti is trying to get an arm triangle but Mendez is defending well.
Macotti throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mendez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Macotti tries to roll over but Mendez keeps him under control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macotti trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Macotti manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Macotti controlling the position.
Macotti is looking to sweep but instead, Mendez has passed into half guard.
Macotti is looking to improve his position.
Mendez is taking a breather. Macotti says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Macotti wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up because George Mendez just wasn't active enough.
Macotti throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mendez's waist but Mendez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Macotti off to one side.
George Mendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Macotti.
Macotti drops his hands momentarily and Mendez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mendez digs a good body shot into Macotti's ribs.
Nice takedown defense from Mendez. No joy for Macotti on that attempt.
Macotti shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mendez but Mendez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Macotti closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mendez feints a jab promting Macotti to slip. Mendez then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Macotti slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendez digs a good hook to Macotti's body.
Marco Macotti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Macotti looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Macotti changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mendez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mendez is not content to let Macotti control the position.

Macotti goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mendez has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Macotti but great work by Mendez.
Mendez is looking to take a break and control but Macotti is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Macotti is trying to escape the position but Mendez is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that George Mendez will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Macotti takes one on the button.
Marco Macotti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mendez. Macotti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mendez avoids the body shot from Macotti.
Macotti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mendez.
Macotti shoots and misses
letting Mendez counter with a right hand.
Mendez tries to bum rush Macotti with a series of wild strikes but Macotti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Macotti closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Macotti swings around for an armbar but Mendez sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Macotti's guard.
Mendez postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Macotti is on top in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Macotti is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macotti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Macotti with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Macotti accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Marco Macotti has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mendez manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Macotti fails to land.
Macotti tries for a takedown but Mendez manages to get underhooks.
Macotti keeps control of Mendez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mendez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Macotti misses with a takedown
and Mendez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
George Mendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Macotti.
Mendez with a hook.
Macotti takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nice sprawl there from Mendez as Macotti shoots in.
Macotti shoots in for a takedown but Mendez shows good takedown defense.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Macotti gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mendez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mendez seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Macotti dives in and scores a takedown into Mendez's guard.
Macotti is breathing heavily.

Macotti has gone for a leg lock! Mendez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Macotti's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendez is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macotti trying to control the position.
Mendez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Mendez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mendez being controlled here momentarily.
Mendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Macotti is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marco Macotti has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Macotti misses with a takedown
and Mendez counters with a stiff right hand.
Macotti fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mendez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Macotti. Macotti circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
George Mendez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mendez scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Macotti doesn't seem bothered though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendez misses with a two punch combination.
Macotti gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mendez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macotti misses with a takedown
and Mendez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mendez lunges at Macotti with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Macotti's hand.
Mendez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Mendez dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab lands there for Mendez.
Mendez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Macotti takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mendez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Macotti will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Macotti takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice straight punches there by Mendez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mendez.
Macotti shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mendez as he avoids it easily.
Mendez connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Macotti with a poor takedown
and Mendez counters with a right hand to the body.
George Mendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Macotti.

Mendez throws a left that rocks Macotti and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Mendez dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Macotti regain composure!

Macotti is rocked!
Macotti takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Macotti tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Mendez easily slips into full mount!
Macotti is still in real trouble! Can Mendez finish him?
Macotti is trying to reverse the position but instead Mendez has taken his back - oops!
Macotti seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Mendez has the hooks in. Macotti is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Macotti rolls, trying to escape but Mendez keeps control of the position.
George Mendez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Macotti rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Macotti tries to get to full guard but Mendez has control of the leg.
Macotti has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

George Mendez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Macotti has his takedown stuffed
and Mendez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Macotti thinking.
Marco Macotti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Macotti fails with the takedown
and Mendez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Macotti thinking.
Mendez connects with a body shot that sends Macotti's belly button to the back.
Macotti shoots in looking for a takedown but Mendez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Macotti's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Good standup being displayed there by Mendez as he connects with a hook.
Mendez scores with a hook to the body. Macotti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mendez throws a one two combo.
Mendez stuffs the takedown attempt from Macotti. Macotti gets slowly back to his feet.
Mendez scores with a hook to the body. Macotti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macotti on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Macotti shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mendez as he avoids it easily.
Mendez cracks Macotti with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Macotti needs to keep his hands up - Mendez had a free shot at his head there.
George Mendez is winning the standup battle so far.
Mendez lands a two punch combo.
Macotti takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Macotti has his takedown stuffed
and Mendez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A left and a right from Mendez both land. Nice combination.
Macotti doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mendez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mendez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mendez works Macotti's body with a nice hook.
Mendez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Macotti at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Mendez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mendez, 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Mendez!
George Mendez spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.