PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Amr Al As (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esau Mendel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Al As
vs
Mendel

185 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Irish Collar & Elbow Nutrition and Laundry

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Amr Al As!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Esau Mendel!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendel throws a nice looking combination but Al As bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mendel has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Al As is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Mendel stuns Al As with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mendel scores with a nice right hand.
Mendel is looking to land body kicks.
A punch lands to the side of Al As 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mendel throws a nice looking combination but Al As bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Al As turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Mendel.
Mendel misses with a series of wild punches.
Mendel misses with a takedown
and Al As makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al As chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mendel shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Al As counters with a head kick. That will keep Mendel thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Mendel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mendel takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Al As moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mendel or perhaps it was just good defense by Al As, which made it look bad.
Amr Al As has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esau Mendel.
Al As lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al As lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Mendel connects with a single shot there.
Al As finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mendel misses with a right hand
and Al As counters with a thumping low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mendel looks to land a combination but Al As avoids it well.
Mendel tries a head kick but it misses.
Al As fires out a quick counter leg kick but Mendel just manages to avoid it.
Mendel jabs Al As to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mendel doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Al As counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Mendel is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Mendel misses with a wild combination.
Al As looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al As lands a leg kick that knocks Mendel off balance momentarily.
Mendel tries a head kick but it misses.
Al As tried to score with a low kick but Mendel checks it.
Mendel throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mendel throws a sloppy head kick and Al As moves out of range easily.
Mendel looks winded!
Mendel misses with a few strikes there.
Al As lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Al As looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mendel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendel shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Al As but Al As pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Al As tried to counter with a leg kick but Mendel avoided it.
Al As showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mendel.
Mendel shoots in looking for a takedown. Al As tries to sprawl out of it but Mendel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Al As manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Al As half committed to a counter leg kick.
Mendel looks to throw the jab but Al As is out of range.
Al As connects with a solid leg kick.
Mendel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Al As circles away.
Al As fires out a quick counter leg kick but Mendel just manages to avoid it.
A punch combination from Mendel misses.
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 Amr Al As will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mendel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Amr Al As is winning the standup battle so far.
Al As will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Al As takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Al As feints and then cracks Mendel's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendel down.
Mendel misses with a wild combination.
Al As shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mendel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Al As.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendel throws a left and a right that both miss
and Al As counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mendel's knee momentarily.
Mendel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Al As tried to counter with a leg kick but Mendel avoided it.
Mendel is breathing heavily.
Al As misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Al As looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Al As walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mendel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Al As as Mendel shoots in.
Al As misses with a leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Mendel checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Al As lands a head kick. Mendel smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Mendel tries for a takedown but Al As circles away easily
and Al As counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mendel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Al As defends well and Mendel ends up having to push Al As into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And Al As counters with a quick kick to the body but Mendel blocks it.
Amr Al As has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esau Mendel.
Al As throws a nice inside leg kick.
Al As misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Al As defends well and Mendel ends up having to push Al As into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Al As on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Al As cracks the inside of Mendel's front leg.
Al As scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Al As lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Al As tries to work over Mendel's front leg with a kick but Mendel checks it.
Al As uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mendel.
Al As looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Amr Al As is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al As throws a low kick, looking for Mendel's leg but Mendel calmly moves out of range.
Mendel falls off balance throwing a combination
and Al As makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A leg kick checked by Mendel.
Esau Mendel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al As throws a leg kick but Mendel checks it.
Mendel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Al As is fending him off so far but Mendel persists. Nope, Al As circles away and we're back to standing.
Al As swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mendel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Al As tried to score with a low kick but Mendel checks it.
Mendel misses with a few strikes there.
Al As looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mendel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Al As circles away quickly and effectively.
Al As feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Mendel checks the leg kick nicely there.
Al As lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mendel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al As fires out a quick counter leg kick but Mendel just manages to avoid it.
Mendel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al As throws a leg kick but Mendel sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Mendel is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Al As stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mendel checks the leg kick.
A good leg kick by Al As.
A leg kick checked by Mendel.
Mendel checks a leg kick.
Mendel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Al As with a body shot.
Mendel looks for a takedown but Al As sprawls well.
Al As fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mendel is out of range.
Al As blocks a head kick by Mendel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amr Al As dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Al As tries a low kick but Mendel avoids it.
Mendel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mendel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al As fires out a quick counter leg kick but Mendel just manages to avoid it.
Mendel will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Al As throws a leg kick but Mendel sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Al As throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mendel throws a head kick that misses.
Al As appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendel swinging wildly here.
Mendel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mendel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Al As avoids the body shot from Mendel.
As Mendel backs away, Al As returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al As shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Al As throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendel.
Al As looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Al As tries to land a leg kick but Mendel saw it coming and moves away.
Al As wants to land a leg kick but Mendel is out of range.
Mendel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Mendel does no damage.
Mendel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Al As.
Mendel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al As will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
As Al As backs off Mendel throws a huge counter combo but Al As manages to avoid it all.
Mendel dives in for a single leg takedown but Al As sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Al As half committed to a counter leg kick.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Mendel might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Al As has got the better of the exchanges.
Al As throws a front kick aimed at Mendel's knee but Mendel avoids it well.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Al As, right into the meat.
Mendel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Al As tries to avoid it but Mendel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Al As to the ground. Al As escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Amr Al As has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esau Mendel.
Al As tries to land a leg kick but Mendel saw it coming and moves away.
Al As pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mendel is out of range and Al As settles back down.
Al As avoids the head kick by Mendel.
Al As lands a leg kick that knocks Mendel off balance momentarily.
Esau Mendel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendel checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al As. Al As obviously looking to wear him down.
Mendel just misses with a punch to the body.
Al As misses with a low kick.
Mendel with the counter takedown but Al As avoids it easily.
Mendel throws a looping overhand right but Al As ducks down to avoid it.
Al As was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mendel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Al As avoids it really well and circles away.
Al As appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Al As moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Amr Al As is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al As tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mendel throws a counter combo.
Al As buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Al As finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A big right from Mendel misses.
Al As thumps Mendel with a low kick.
Mendel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Al As defends well and Mendel ends up having to push Al As into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mendel tries a head kick but it misses.
As Mendel backs away, Al As returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Mendel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al As. Al As obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al As wants to land a leg kick but Mendel is out of range.
Esau Mendel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mendel misses with a few strikes there.
Al As appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Amr Al As showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Al As 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amr Al As!
A relieved looking Amr Al As thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Esau Mendel spoke after the fight, saying 'Fuck it!'.