PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendes has chosen Steve McQueen as his entrance music. 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.

Johnson
vs
Mendes

173 cm
41
155 lbs
16 - 14 - 1

170 cm
43
146 lbs
45 - 31 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Anthony Taglia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson throws a solid leg kick but Mendes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Johnson.

Johnson looking to score a takedown here. Mendes is defending well but Johnson drives through and ends up in Mendes's guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Mendes keeps moving.
Johnson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson staying out of range there.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mendes.
Mendes tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Johnson is able to avoid easily.
Nice shot by Mendes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes lands a two punch combo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mendes. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mendes throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Mendes swinging wildly here.
Mendes stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mendes sprawls well. Mendes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendes takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Mendes moves out of range easily.
Mendes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Mendes.
Mendes misses with a hook.
Chad Mendes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson throws a head kick but Mendes moves out of range.
Mendes missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Mendes circles away easily
and Mendes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Johnson forces Mendes back against the cage and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson is trying to break free.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mendes pinned against the cage. Mendes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mendes looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mendes just misses with a punch to the body.
Mendes just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromJohnson.
Johnson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mendes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
It seemed like Mendes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson staying out of range there.
Nice takedown defense from Mendes. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Mendes punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch.
Chad Mendes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Mendes sprawls well.
Mendes blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Mendes looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Mendes lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Mendes circles away.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Mendes circles away.
Mendes now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Mendes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Mendes misses with a looping left.
Johnson wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Johnson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mendes.
As Mendes looks to move away, Johnson throws a big counter combo but Mendes just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
Mendes throws a series of strikes that have Johnson backpedaling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Johnson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mendes's guard.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendes is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Mendes dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mendes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mendes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mendes.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Mendes circles away and keeps his distance.
Mendes misses with a wild body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Mendes. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Mendes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mendes works the jab nicely.
Mendes works the jab nicely.
Mendes moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Mendes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Michael Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Mendes as Johnson shoots in.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Mendes lands a jab to the nose.
Mendes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mendes connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson slips under a jab from Mendes.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Mendes shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mendes looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.

Mendes closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mendes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mendes taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Mendes scores with a hook to the body.
We've been informed that Mendes has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Mendes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Mendes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mendes misses with a shot to the body
and Johnson counters with a left and a right that stings Mendes.
Mendes lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mendes.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Mendes pushes him off.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mendes looks to land a body kick but Johnson moved away.
Johnson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Johnson pushes Mendes up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Mendes manages to get underhooks.
Mendes scores with a shoulder strike.
Mendes has Johnson pressed against the cage, preventing Johnson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mendes tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing Mendes back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mendes pushes Johnson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Mendes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mendes blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Mendes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Mendes has double underhooks.
A hook to the body from Mendes.
Mendes misses with a body punch.
Mendes slowing the pace effectively.
Mendes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Mendes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents a body shot from Mendes.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mendes smiles and moves away.
Mendes throws a shot to the body.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Mendes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mendes throws out a leg kick but Johnson moves out of range and Mendes only half commits.
Mendes cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Mendes circles away.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mendes sprawls well. Mendes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mendes darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Mendes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mendes counters with a nice body shot.
Mendes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson throws a body punch but Mendes moves out of range.
Mendes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Johnson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mendes sprawls and moves away.
Johnson shoots in for a double leg but Mendes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mendes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
Mendes throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
A cross from Mendes lands.
Johnson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mendes.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Mendes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Mendes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Mendes.
A swing and a miss from Mendes.

Mendes darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Mendes lands a left hand.
Mendes is leaning against Johnson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Johnson jumps guard but Mendes stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson tries to circle away but Mendes has him pinned against the cage.

Mendes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mendes tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mendes to the ground. Mendes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mendes lands with a good body shot.
Johnson blocks a jab.
Johnson tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Mendes manages to circle out of the way.
Chad Mendes seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mendes scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mendes lands a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mendes scores with a nice head shot.
Mendes stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
A jab from Mendes finds it's way through Johnson's defenses.
Mendes works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mendes defends it nicely.
Nice body punch from Mendes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes with a hook.
Mendes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Mendes.
Mendes lands with a right hand.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Mendes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Mendes, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Mendes against the cage but Mendes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mendes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Mendes tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mendes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mendes was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Mendes sizes up Johnson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mendes throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johnson at a distance.

Mendes pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Mendes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson is looking to control Mendes's arms but Mendes gets an underhook and turns him. Now Johnson has his back to the cage.
Mendes is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Mendes throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Johnsons head.
Chad Mendes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.
A right hook to the body lands for Mendes.
Mendes lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Johnson has Mendes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mendes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Michael Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mendes just stands there and leans against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chad Mendes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mendes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Mendes!
Chad Mendes really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Namunamu Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.