PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Gelfen (ranked 920 p4p, 114 weight class) and HL Mencken (ranked 190 p4p, 25 weight class). 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.

Gelfen
vs
Mencken

195 cm
27
275 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

195 cm
35
261 lbs
27 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eddie Gelfen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, HL Mencken!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gelfen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mencken counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mencken scores with a nice head shot.
Gelfen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gelfen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like HL Mencken has been cut.
Mencken on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gelfen. Gelfen obviously looking to wear him down.
Gelfen slips under a jab.
Gelfen misses the jab.
Mencken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gelfen.
A combination from Gelfen does no damage.
Nice defenses there by Gelfen.
Eddie Gelfen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Gelfen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mencken just misses with a punch to the body.
Mencken lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice defenses there by Gelfen.
Gelfen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Gelfen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mencken counters with a nice body shot.
Gelfen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mencken scores with a nice body kick.
Gelfen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mencken throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Mencken throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gelfen on the side of the head.
Mencken throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mencken misses with a wild body shot.
Gelfen is looking for a counter combo.
Jab by Mencken.
Mencken throws a hook but Gelfen avoids it easily.
Mencken checks a leg kick.

Mencken throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Gelfen tumbling to the canvas!
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!
Mencken preventing the sweep.
Mencken wants to stand but Gelfen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Mencken sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mencken wanted to stand there but Gelfen had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gelfen pulls Mencken in close to his closed guard and prevents Mencken from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mencken trying to control but Gelfen is working from the bottom.
Gelfen has his hands on Mencken's head, controlling the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mencken tries to free his leg and advance position but Gelfen is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gelfen's corner calls for a 1-2. Gelfen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gelfen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mencken moves out of range as Gelfen strikes.
Mencken let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Gelfen lands a head kick. Mencken smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Mencken slips a jab from Gelfen.
Gelfen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gelfen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mencken moves out of range of the strikes.
Gelfen just misses with a punch to the body.
Gelfen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gelfen throws a head kick that misses.
Gelfen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gelfen throws a head kick but Mencken moves out of range.
Mencken lands a really nice looking cross but Gelfen seems unphased.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gelfen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mencken keeps Gelfen at a distance using the push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mencken checks the leg kick nicely there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mencken! But no joy.
Gelfen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gelfen throws a jab when Mencken was well out of range.
Mencken misses with a body shot.
Gelfen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gelfen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mencken is out of range.
Mencken is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gelfen had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Gelfen motions for Mencken to come forward. Gelfen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gelfen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mencken moves away.
Mencken throws a head kick that misses.
Gelfen takes one to the chin there.
Gelfen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mencken.
Gelfen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gelfen defending well as Mencken loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gelfen throws a big shot that misses.
Gelfen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Mencken counters with a huge left! Gelfen is in big trouble! He's backing up but Mencken isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Gelfen from any more damage. A dominating finish by Mencken!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). HL Mencken! HL Mencken retains his heavyweight title!