PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Merlin Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Loop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Max Loop has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Merlin Mendez's chin.

Mendez
vs
Loop

189 cm
19
193 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Merlin Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Max Loop!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Loop throws a head kick that misses.
It looked like Mendez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Loop.

Mendez has Loop up against the cage in a clinch.
Loop gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mendez.

Loop breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Loop on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Loop throws a head kick that misses.
Mendez half committed to a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Mendez misses.

Loop looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Loop controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez is looking for a sweep. Loop is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Loop controlling the pace.

Loop is looking for a kimura here.
Loop prevents Mendez from improving his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mendez tries to land a leg kick but Loop saw it coming and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Loop.
Loop throws a fast counter high kick but Mendez manages to duck under it in time.

Loop shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Loop showed some decent athleticism there.
Loop seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Loop seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mendez is trying to maintain the position but Loop is very close to passing his half guard.
Loop is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loop thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendez wants to get back to full guard but Loop has mounted him!

Loop is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Mendez is surviving well by controlling Loop's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Loop is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mendez's half guard.
Mendez trying to control here.
Loop throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Loop is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez trying to control but Loop postures up.
Loop content to control rather than advance.
Loop lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Loop in particular looking to stall.
Loop thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mendez's head.
Loop content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Loop wants to advance to full mount but Mendez doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Loop working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Loop sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Loop passes Mendez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Loop is looking for a kimura but Mendez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Loop to get the leverage.

Loop is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mendez is looking to control Loop's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mendez avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Loop throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mendez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Loop is in Mendez's guard.
Mendez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Loop controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loop is looking to stand up but Mendez won't let him.
Mendez wants to control but Loop passes easily into half guard.
Loop stalling.
Loop tries to stand and escape but Mendez is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Loop showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Loop shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Mendez's guard.
Mendez controls Loop momentarily but Loop frees himself.
Loop showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Loop won't allow Mendez to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Loop is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute 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.
Mendez can't keep his opponent in guard - Loop advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Loop is thwarting Mendez's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Loop works his way into side control.
Loop lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Loop remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Loop wants to stand but Mendez is controlling his arm.
You can see the frustration on Mendez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Loop is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Mendez's shoulder. That is not cool.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loop shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mendez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mendez trying to keep a closed guard but Loop is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Loop scoring with punches to the head and body.
Loop sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Loop cracks Mendez with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loop passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Loop in side control, just content to control the action for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Loop comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Loop 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Loop!