PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Maul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendez has chosen Trap Door as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Maul
vs
Mendez

180 cm
29
182 lbs
16 - 13 - 0

184 cm
49
180 lbs
38 - 32 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Maul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 32 - 0, fighting out of London, Tiago Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Maul stuns Mendez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Maul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mendez moves out of range of the strikes.
Maul looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mendez tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
Paul Maul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maul scores with the left hand. Mendez knows he should have avoided that one.
Maul throws a shot from downtown. Mendez moves away and avoids it.
Maul avoids the head kick by Mendez.
Maul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maul misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mendez closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Maul lunges at Mendez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mendez's hand.
Mendez doesn't manage to clinch there - Maul circles away.
It looked like Maul wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Maul throws a looping overhand right but Mendez ducks down to avoid it.
Mendez throws a hook but Maul avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maul. Mendez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maul takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Maul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul connects with a right hand. Mendez shakes it off.
Mendez takes one to the chin there.
Mendez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Maul misses with a wild body shot.
Nice shot lands for Maul.
Maul throws a shot from downtown. Mendez moves away and avoids it.
Maul jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Maul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mendez throws a big counter head kick but Maul avoids it with no problem.
Maul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mendez.
Maul scores with a nice head shot.
Maul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A jab lands there for Maul.
Maul throws a hook but Mendez blocks it.
Maul lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendez manages to avoid it.
Maul will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Maul sets himself, and Mendez steps forward looking for the clinch! Maul avoids it this time.
Mendez fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Maul checks it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maul closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Mendez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maul on his heels. He'll look to pass Maul's guard now, I'm sure.

Maul has his feet on Mendez's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Maul is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Maul lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice takedown defense from Maul. No joy for Mendez on that attempt.
Mendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Maul swivels and escapes.
Paul Maul is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maul cracks Mendez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Maul connects with a nice looking jab.

Mendez is rocked!
Maul fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mendez on the side of the head.
Mendez is still on wobbly legs! Can Maul finish him?
Maul lands an overhand right.
Mendez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maul finds it's way round the side to connect with Mendez's head.
Maul throws a series of punches but Mendez avoids them all with ease.
Mendez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maul.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Maul misses.
Maul throws a combination. Mendez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Mendez dives in and grabs Maul's left leg, looking for a takedown. Maul pushes down on Mendez's head and hops out.
Paul Maul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Mendez.
Mendez tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maul. Mendez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maul missing with a left hand there. Mendez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mendez seems to have recovered his senses.

Mendez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Maul!

Maul explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mendez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mendez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maul manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maul throws out a loose jab but Mendez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maul misses with a hook.
Mendez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Maul jabs at Mendez's body.
Maul misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maul swings widly with a right hand
and Mendez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maul avoids the head kick by Mendez.
Maul throws a jab when Mendez was well out of range.
Maul looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendez is just out of range.
Maul fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Maul cracks a nice hook into Mendez's ribs.
Maul throws a body shot but no joy.
Maul misses with a double jab.
Maul avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maul blocks a head kick by Mendez.
Maul appears to be looking for a big counter.
Maul slaps away a takedown attempt from Mendez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No joy there for Maul, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A big right from Maul misses.
Maul missing with a left hand there. Mendez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maul keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Maul dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maul throws a body punch but Mendez moves out of range.

Mendez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Mendez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've been informed that Mendez has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Maul sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mendez trying to mount his opponent but Maul defends it.

Mendez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Mendez is looking for a kimura but Maul is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mendez to get the leverage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maul holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Maul is looking for a sweep. Mendez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mendez trying to control from half guard but Maul is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez prevents Maul from improving his position.
Maul keeping hold of Mendez's head, controlling as best he can.
Maul is trying to get back to full guard.
Mendez is keen to just control but Maul is a slippery customer.
Maul trying to control but Mendez postures up.
Maul works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mendez won't allow Maul to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maul controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
Mendez slips under a jab from Maul.
Mendez ducks right into an uppercut from Maul.
Maul throws a hook to the side of Mendez's head but Mendez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mendez wants to counter the offense by Maul and move into the clinch position.
Maul takes a swing at Mendez's ribcage but misses.
Mendez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A jab from Maul misses.
Tiago Mendez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mendez drops his hands momentarily and Maul takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mendez lands a slapping body shot.
Mendez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Maul throws an overhand right that lands on Mendez's shoulder, as Mendez tries to avoid the shot.
Mendez swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maul pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mendez! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maul is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mendez can do to turn this around?
Mendez connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Maul's hands.
Maul misses with an uppercut. Mendez saw that one coming.
A shot to the liver by Maul. Beautiful body shot.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Maul jabs Mendez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Maul circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maul keeps the fight on the outside.
Mendez shoots in for a double leg but Maul sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Maul was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Maul throws a jab when Mendez was well out of range.
Mendez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
Mendez goes for a double leg but Maul avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Maul continues to drive forward.
Paul Maul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Mendez.
Maul scores with a decent looking hook.
Mendez on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Maul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mendez tries to clinch up but Maul circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mendez walks into a stiff left hand from Maul.
Maul takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Maul listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Maul connects with a jab.
Maul scores with a hook to the body. Mendez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mendez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mendez tries to clinch there but Maul circles away.
Maul punishes Mendez's body with a nice straight punch.
Mendez takes one to the chin there.
Maul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendez manages to avoid it.
Mendez tries to counter by closing the distance.
Maul lands a slapping body shot.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Maul but Maul pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A little feinted left hand from Maul on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mendez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Maul dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Maul. Those never looked like landing.
Nice takedown defense from Maul. No joy for Mendez on that attempt.
Mendez tries to clinch there but Maul circles away.
Maul lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Maul throws out a loose jab but Mendez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mendez goes for a double leg but Maul avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Maul continues to drive forward.
A clash of legs there as Maul blocks the low kick.
Mendez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mendez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maul.
Maul misses with a series of wild punches.
Mendez tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed right hand from Maul misses the target.
Mendez wants to counter the offense by Maul and move into the clinch position.
Maul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mendez doesn't manage to clinch there - Maul circles away.
Maul throws a series of punches but Mendez avoids them all with ease.
Paul Maul is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez avoids the body shot from Maul.
Maul throws a jab when Mendez was well out of range.
Maul lands a nice shot to the body.
Mendez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Maul defends well and Mendez ends up having to push Maul into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Paul Maul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Mendez.
Maul lands with a right hand.
Maul with a nice cross.
Mendez tries to move into range but Maul moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Maul defending well as Mendez loads up on a big left hand.
Maul throws a hook to the side of Mendez's head but Mendez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maul with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mendez tries to clinch but Maul moves out of range.
Maul connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mendez momentarily.
Mendez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mendez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Maul showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mendez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maul misses with a double jab

and Mendez counters by clinching up.
Mendez lands a body shot in the clinch.
Maul is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Maul throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mendezs head.

Maul breaks the clinch.
Maul misses with a wild body shot.
Maul lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Maul takes a swing at Mendez's ribcage but misses.
Maul scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mendez doesn't seem bothered though.
Maul lands with a nice body punch.
Mendez blocks a jab.
Maul misses the jab.
Mendez dives in for a single leg takedown but Maul sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Maul punishes Mendez's body with a nice straight punch.
Mendez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul misses with a body shot.
Maul throws out a loose jab but Mendez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mendez is defended easily by Maul.
Mendez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Paul Maul is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maul swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mendez tries to counter with a clinch but Maul shakes him off and moves away.
Maul punishes Mendez's body with a nice straight punch.
Maul scores with a jab to the body.
Maul cracks Mendez with a good jab.
Mendez wants to clinch up but Maul keeps it at a distance.
A little feinted left hand from Maul on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maul misses with a straight left.
Mendez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Maul to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maul circles away quickly and effectively.
Good standup being displayed there by Maul as he connects with a hook.
Maul blocks a jab.
Maul fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mendez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maul fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mendez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tiago Mendez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mendez on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Mendez gets a clinch.
Maul throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mendezs head.
Mendez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Maul gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Maul stalling.
Maul keeps control of Mendez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mendez struggles to land a body shot inside as Maul controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Maul showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maul 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Maul!
Paul Maul seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.