PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Furio Mendola (ranked 5917 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Wright (ranked 24217 p4p, 0 weight class). Wright has chosen Warped Mind as his entrance music. Furio Mendola could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Alex Wright's chin.

Mendola
vs
Wright

188 cm
25
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
19
218 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Furio Mendola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alex Wright!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendola tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wright moves in looking to clinch but Mendola pushes him off.
Wright wants to clinch up but Mendola keeps it at a distance.
Mendola throws a big counter combination but Wright scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mendola lunges at Wright with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Wright's hand.
Wright swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Mendola clinches with his opponent.
A frustrated look appears on Wright's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mendola digs a right hand into Wright's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Wright's gas tank.
Mendola wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
Mendola can't break the clinch.
Mendola misses with some punches.
Wright has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendola is trying to push Wright away but Wright has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mendola keeps control of Wright as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Wright pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wright misses with a kick to the body.
Mendola works over Wright's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright avoids a kick to the body.
Wright changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendola scores with a jab.

Mendola rushes Wright and presses him up against the cage.
Mendola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wright told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Mendola tries to work over Wright's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mendola wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mendola is trying to break the clinch but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
Mendola working hard to break the clinch.

Mendola breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mendola throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Wright.
Wright takes one to the chin there.
Wright shoots in looking for a takedown but Mendola manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wright's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wright throws a body punch but Mendola moves out of range.
Mendola was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mendola connects with a right hand. Wright shakes it off.
Mendola works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Mendola pushes Wright up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright wants a takedown but no success here.
Mendola misses with a body punch.
Mendola is trying to break the clinch but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
Mendola tries to work over Wright's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendola is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mendola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wright's elbow.
Mendola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wright's elbow.

Wright escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mendola scores with a punch to the head.
Wright has a takedown stuffed.
Furio Mendola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Wright.

Mendola moves into the clinch.
Mendola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wright escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mendola throws a nice looking combination but Wright bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mendola takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wright digs a good hook to Mendola's body.
Mendola is breathing heavily.
The fighters circling - Mendola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mendola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wright.
Mendola throws a one two combo.
Wright fails with the takedown
and Mendola counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Mendola moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Furio Mendola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wright pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wright on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mendola connects with a high kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wright fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mendola is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mendola.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mendola throws out the jab.

Wright takes the fight into the clinch.
Mendola tries to break free but Wright pushes him back against the cage.
Wright jumps guard but Mendola turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A head punch on the inside from Mendola fails to land.
Mendola can't find room to land a body shot as Wright controls the action.
Mendola tries to break free but Wright pushes him back against the cage.
Wright blocks an uppercut.
Mendola has a couple of punches blocked by Wright.
Mendola misses with a body punch.
Mendola looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mendola throws a punch but it's blocked by Wright.
Wright is looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wright with a poor takedown
and Mendola counters with a one-two to the body.
Mendola moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Wright.
Mendola is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wright can do to turn this around?
Wright tries a head kick but it misses.

Mendola closes the distance and clinches.
Mendola looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Wright pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wright misses with a takedown
and Mendola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mendola connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright throws a leg kick
and Mendola counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wright looks for a takedown but Mendola sprawls well.
Furio Mendola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Wright.
Mendola throws a series of strikes that have Wright backpedaling.
Furio Mendola is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendola scores with a jab to the jaw.
Mendola delivers a nice body kick.
Mendola scores with a sloppy right hand. Wright should have avoided that one.

Wright clinches up with Mendola and pushes him back against the cage.
Mendola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mendola tries to work over Wright's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mendola is trying to break the clinch but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
Mendola tries a body shot but Wright blocks it.
Mendola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wright blocks a body shot from Mendola.
Mendola lands a nice uppercut.
Wright blocks an uppercut.
Wright blocking some punches.
Mendola tries to break the clinch but Wright is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wright pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mendola tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wright paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wright throws the kick towards the body but Mendola avoids it.

Wright moves into range and clinches up with Mendola.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wright.
Mendola is pressed up against the cage. Wright has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mendola down to the mat. Mendola avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mendola stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wright shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wright fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Wright misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mendola throwing a counter right hand but Wright manages to avoid it.
Mendola digs a good hook to Wright's body.
Mendola keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Mendola darts in and clinches Wright up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wright breaks from the clinch.
A head kick from Mendola lands but Wright takes it in his stride.
Furio Mendola is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mendola lands with a cross.
Wright with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mendola counters with a two punch combo.
Mendola lands a really nice looking cross but Wright seems unphased.
Wright avoids the head kick by Mendola.
Wright takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mendola blocks a head kick by Wright.
Wright tries for a takedown but Mendola sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wright takes a kick to the side of the head.
Mendola tries a head kick but it misses.
Wright dives in for a single leg takedown but Mendola sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
It looked like Mendola wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wright pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Mendola does it's job there.
Mendola goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Mendola moves into the clinch.
Mendola misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mendola has a couple of punches blocked by Wright.
Wright is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mendola is defending well.
Wright has Mendola pressed against the cage, preventing Mendola from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Wright is looking for a takedown.
Mendola is trying to break the clinch but Wright is controlling him.

Mendola breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mendola drives through and clinches with Wright against the cage.
Furio Mendola has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Wright is trying to break the clinch but Mendola is controlling him.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Mendola here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Mendola is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Furio Mendola dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mendola lands with a kick to the ribs.
Mendola lets loose with a powerful body kick. Wright will feel that in the morning.
Wright misses with a wild combination.
Mendola stuffs the takedown.
Mendola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As Mendola backs off Wright throws a huge counter combo but Mendola manages to avoid it all.
Mendola is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Wright on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mendola.
Mendola pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright tries to clinch there but Mendola circles away.
Wright is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mendola pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendola lands a head kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Decent striking displayed by Mendola there.
Wright shoots and misses
and Mendola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice straight punches there by Mendola. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mendola.
Mendola with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wright is trying desperately to land a takedown but Mendola is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Wright.
Wright takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Mendola moves into the clinch.
Wright tries for a takedown but Mendola manages to get underhooks.
Furio Mendola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Wright.
Mendola gets underhooks to prevent Wright's takedown attempt.
Mendola struggles to land a body shot inside as Wright controls his hands.
Mendola wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
Mendola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wright has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mendola avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wright's elbow.
Mendola scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mendola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wright looking to slow down the pace here.
Wright has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mendola misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mendola misses with a body punch.
Mendola can't find room to land a body shot as Wright controls the action.
Mendola has a couple of punches blocked by Wright.
Mendola swings wildly with an uppercut but Wright uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wright blocks a body shot from Mendola.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendola struggles to land a body shot inside as Wright controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Mendola - that landed with a thud.
Mendola struggles to land a body shot inside as Wright controls his hands.
Mendola gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wright.
Wright blocks a body shot from Mendola.
Wright is trying to force a seperation but Mendola has the dominant position.
Wright tries to pull guard but Mendola won't allow it.
Wright tries for a takedown but Mendola manages to get underhooks.
Wright tries to break the clinch but Mendola is controlling the position.
Wright trying to stall but Mendola improves his position.
Wright has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mendola after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Mendola pushes Wright back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Mendola.
Mendola wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
Mendola lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mendola throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mendola tries to work over Wright's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mendola misses with a punch to the body.
Mendola has had enough of the clinch but Wright keeps him there for the moment.
Wright has Mendola pressed against the cage, preventing Mendola from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mendola is trying to break the clinch but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Wright breaks the clinch.
Mendola thows a body kick. Wright tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Alex Wright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mendola clinches with his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Furio Mendola showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mendola 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:26
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Furio Mendola!
In defeat, Alex Wright stepped up to the mic, saying 'When I sign a contract, I really want to give 180%. And if I can't give that, it's just not fair to the promotion and it's not fair to the fans and it's not fair to myself'.