PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yusuf Mehadi (ranked 6457 p4p, 542 weight class) and Landon Wood (ranked 4972 p4p, 476 weight class). Mehadi comes to the cage accompanied by BONEZ MC & RAF CAMORA - PALMEN AUS GOLD. Landon Wood has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mehadi
vs
Wood

171 cm
23
161 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

181 cm
24
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yusuf Mehadi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Landon Wood!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mehadi looks to land a left hand but Wood moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Mehadi misses.
Mehadi throws a lazy right hand but Wood sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wood throws a push kick but Mehadi slaps the foot to one side.
Mehadi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wood slips a straight right by Mehadi.
Mehadi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wood swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wood is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wood blocks a head kick by Mehadi.
Wood moves out of range as Mehadi strikes.
Mehadi throws the left hand but Wood avoids the punch easily.
Wood wants to slow Mehadi down by chopping away at his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mehadi throws an off balance right hand
and Wood counters with a nice uppercut.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wood is defended easily by Mehadi.
Mehadi throws a head kick but Wood moves out of range.
Mehadi misses with an uppercut. Wood saw that one coming.
Wood doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mehadi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Wood counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Wood.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wood trying to control but Mehadi is working from the bottom.

Wood stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Mehadi takes a jab right on the kisser.
A left lands for Mehadi.
Wood bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mehadi is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Wood's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Wood uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mehadi.
Yusuf Mehadi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mehadi lunges at Wood with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Wood's hand.
Wood dives in and grabs Mehadi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mehadi pushes down on Wood's head and hops out.
Wood looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mehadi is fending him off so far but Wood persists. Nope, Mehadi circles away and we're back to standing.
Yusuf Mehadi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Landon Wood.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mehadi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Wood has closed the distance and engaged Mehadi in a clinch.

Mehadi breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mehadi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mehadi throws a shot from downtown. Wood moves away and avoids it.
Wood uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mehadi.
Wood steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mehadi.

Wood clinches up against the cage.
Wood on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wood fails to pull guard.

Wood's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wood slips under a jab from Mehadi.
Wood slips a jab and a cross from Mehadi.
Mehadi throws a hook to the side of Wood's head but Wood sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mehadi throws a head kick that misses.
Mehadi throws a looping overhand right but Wood ducks down to avoid it.
Wood looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Wood blocks a jab.
Nice cross by Mehadi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mehadi loads up on a big right hand but Wood slips the punch.
Wood tries to counter with a clinch but Mehadi shakes him off and moves away.
Wood misses with a two punch combination.
Wood changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mehadi tries to avoid it but Wood manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mehadi to the ground. Mehadi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A jab from Mehadi finds it's way through Wood's defenses.
Wood fails with a takedown attempt.
Mehadi fails with a takedown attempt.
Mehadi throws a jab when Wood was well out of range.
Wood slips under a jab from Mehadi.
Mehadi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wood blocks a jab.
Mehadi throws a jab but it's blocked by Wood.

Wood throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mehadi was covering up waiting for the punch and Wood finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Wood trying to control but Mehadi is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood looking to pass the guard.
Wood trying to control but Mehadi is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yusuf Mehadi dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mehadi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mehadi missing with a left hand there. Wood was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And Wood tries to counter it with a takedown but Mehadi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wood fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Wood tries to clinch up.
Mehadi misses with a straight right.
Wood avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Wood clinches.

Wood's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wood misses with a takedown attempt - Mehadi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mehadi catches Wood with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Wood rushes Mehadi and presses him up against the cage.

Mehadi manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yusuf Mehadi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Landon Wood.
Mehadi throws a head kick but Wood moves out of range.
A jab from Mehadi misses.
Mehadi throws a jab when Wood was well out of range.
A head kick misses from Mehadi.
Mehadi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Wood counters with a right hand to the body.
Wood shoots in for a takedown but Mehadi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wood looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mehadi is fending him off so far but Wood persists. Nope, Mehadi circles away and we're back to standing.
Mehadi misses with a straight right.

Wood instigates a clinch.
Wood is stalling here.

Wood ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Wood no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mehadi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wood on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood is trying to control the position but Mehadi postures up.

Mehadi gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Mehadi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mehadi scores with a head kick.
Wood wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Mehadi misses its intended target.
Wood slips a jab from Mehadi.
Mehadi throws a jab but it's blocked by Wood.
Mehadi throws a head kick but Wood moves out of range.
Mehadi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mehadi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wood looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wood shoots for a double leg takedown but Mehadi sprawls well. He's pushed Wood's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mehadi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wood but Wood pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wood slips under a jab.
Wood defending well as Mehadi loads up on a big left hand.
Mehadi misses with a straight right.
No luck for Wood with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wood tries to clinch up but Mehadi circles away and keeps his distance.
A little feinted left hand from Mehadi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mehadi dips to his left and cracks Wood with an uppercut!
Wood steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mehadi.

Wood drives through and clinches with Mehadi against the cage.
Wood tries to score a body lock takedown but Mehadi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Mehadi is fighting off a takedown attempt but Wood is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mehadi to the mat. Mehadi regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wood trying to control the position from guard on top but Mehadi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Wood has gone for a leg lock! Mehadi slips out almost immediately though and dives into Wood's guard.

Wood is breathing heavily.
Wood keeping full guard, as Mehadi tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yusuf Mehadi 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!

Mehadi throws a hook but Wood blocks it.
Landon Wood is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Mehadi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice defenses there by Wood.
Wood looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Wood tries to clinch there but Mehadi circles away.
Mehadi stuffs the takedown.
Mehadi fails to land the takedown.
A big right from Mehadi misses.
Mehadi scores with a hook.
Mehadi misses with a head kick.
Wood slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mehadi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wood tries to clinch there but Mehadi circles away.
A jab from Mehadi misses.
Mehadi tries to clinch up
and Mehadi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wood throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mehadi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Wood is in Mehadi's guard.
Mehadi keeping full guard, as Wood tries to pass.
Wood pushes down on Mehadi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Wood throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wood is trying to control. Mehadi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wood wants to pass the guard but Mehadi is defending well.
Wood is keen to just control but Mehadi is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mehadi is defending against the submission attempts here by Wood.
Wood thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mehadi's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wood controlling the pace.
Mehadi is staying active underneath Wood, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mehadi haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wood throws a leg kick but Mehadi moved away.
An attempted straight right counter from Mehadi misses the target.
Mehadi works the jab nicely.
Mehadi throws a sloppy head kick and Wood moves out of range easily.
Mehadi looks to throw the jab but Wood is out of range.
Wood throws a body shot but no joy.
Mehadi misses with an uppercut.
Wood circles away from the clinch attempt
and Wood counters with a straight right hand.
Mehadi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mehadi misses with a combination

and Wood counters by clinching up.

Wood manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Wood.
Wood tries to clinch but Mehadi moves out of range.
Wood shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mehadi as he jumps to the side.
Yusuf Mehadi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Landon Wood.
Wood shoots in but no luck this time.
An attempted straight right counter from Mehadi misses the target.
Yusuf Mehadi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wood slips under a jab from Mehadi.
Wood appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mehadi slaps away a takedown attempt from Wood, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mehadi looks to land a left hand but Wood moved out of range nicely.
Wood steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mehadi.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mehadi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wood is fending him off so far but Mehadi persists. Nope, Wood circles away and we're back to standing.
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!

Wood rushes Mehadi and presses him up against the cage.
Landon Wood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Wood breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yusuf Mehadi.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mehadi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yusuf Mehadi!
A relieved looking Yusuf Mehadi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.