PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lenon Mesquita (ranked 6398 p4p, 6157 weight class) and Thomas Martins (ranked 443 p4p, 432 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mesquita
vs
Martins

178 cm
18
150
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
150
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Nutritional Shaved Ice

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lenon Mesquita!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thomas Martins!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mesquita moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And Martins tries to counter it with a takedown but Mesquita pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Martins scores with a one two! Mesquita had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mesquita fails with a takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Mesquita misses.
Mesquita will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Martins tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenon Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martins leaves Mesquita with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita doesn't manage to clinch there - Martins circles away.
Martins feints the counter takedown.
Martins looks to land a combination. Mesquita sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mesquita tries to close the distance and clinch up but Martins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mesquita definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martins falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mesquita counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martins is looking to regain half guard here but Mesquita keeps moving and retains side control.
The ground and pound from Mesquita seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Mesquita working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Martins dodges the ground and pound from Mesquita.
Mesquita has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Martins is trying to control Mesquita's posture but Mesquita avoids it.
Mesquita trying to control the action but Martins is working from the bottom.
Mesquita throws a strike aimed at the side of Martins's head but Martins avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita wants to control but Martins is keeping him busy.
Mesquita throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Martins throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Martins stuffs the takedown.
Martins tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mesquita ducks right into an uppercut from Martins.
Martins tries to bum rush Mesquita with a series of wild strikes but Mesquita uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mesquita throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Martins's waist but Martins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mesquita off to one side.
A combination from Martins does no damage.
Mesquita fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita shoots in and drives through. Martins sprawls well.
Martins tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Martins falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mesquita counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Martins!
Mesquita working the ground and pound.
Mesquita throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Martins works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Mesquita wants to control but Martins is keeping him busy.
Martins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mesquita.
Mesquita prevents Martins from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mesquita connects with a nice short shot to Martins's temple.
Martins trying to hold on to Mesquita's head to control him but Mesquita postures up.
Mesquita sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Martins defending well though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mesquita is trying to control the action in half guard but Martins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Martins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mesquita.
Mesquita missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mesquita trying to control from half guard but Martins is working away.
Mesquita is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Martins is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Martins dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mesquita shoots in and drives through. Martins sprawls well.
Martins is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Martins misses with the combination.
Martins slips a jab and a cross from Mesquita.
Martins tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Martins as he avoids it easily.
Martins is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Martins misses with a few strikes there.
Mesquita uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Martins.
Mesquita dives in for a single leg takedown but Martins sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Martins feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenon Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mesquita tries to score a body lock takedown but Martins shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Martins lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mesquita escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Martins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mesquita tries to close the distance and clinch up but Martins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Martins!
Mesquita fails with a takedown attempt.
Martins with the counter takedown but Mesquita avoids it easily.
Mesquita will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thomas Martins seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mesquita throws a sloppy head kick and Martins moves out of range easily.
Mesquita has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita slips a jab and a cross from Martins.
Mesquita fails with the takedown.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Martins but Martins pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mesquita!
Lenon Mesquita seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mesquita shoots in but Martins avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mesquita looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Martins feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita lands with a slapping head kick.
Martins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mesquita or perhaps it was just good defense by Martins, which made it look bad.
Martins feints the counter takedown.
Martins misses with a two punch combination.
Mesquita tries to score a power double leg takedown but Martins sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mesquita somewhat.
We've been informed that Martins has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita moves in looking to clinch but Martins pushes him off.
Mesquita closes this distance looking for a takedown but Martins circles away.
Martins with the counter takedown but Mesquita avoids it easily.
Mesquita tries to clinch up but Martins circles away and keeps his distance.
Thomas Martins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mesquita is trying hard to land a takedown here. Martins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Martins with the counter takedown but Mesquita avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mesquita is defended easily by Martins.
Martins throws a series of punches but Mesquita avoids them all with ease.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martins slaps away a takedown attempt from Mesquita, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mesquita looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Martins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Martins looks to land a combination but Mesquita avoids it well.
Mesquita tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Martins swivels and escapes.
Mesquita tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Martins defends well and Mesquita ends up having to push Martins into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Martins feints the counter takedown.
Martins content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Mesquita goes for a takedown in the clinch but Martins prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenon Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mesquita backwards.
Mesquita goes for a takedown attempt but Martins pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mesquita shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Martins defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mesquita slips a jab and a cross from Martins.
No joy there for Martins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Martins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mesquita moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mesquita throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Martins's waist but Martins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mesquita off to one side.

Mesquita fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Martins, pushing him back against the cage.
Mesquita is looking for a takedown.
Martins scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Martins with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martins misses with a hook to the ribs.
Martins lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Mesquita or not.
Mesquita tries to pull guard but Martins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A short right from Martins.
Come on Martins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mesquita has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Martins avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Martins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mesquita is looking to take this one to the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right from Martins on the inside.
Martins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mesquita backwards.
A short right from Martins.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita wants a takedown.
Mesquita tries to circle away but Martins has him pinned against the cage.
Mesquita drops down looking for an ankle pick but Martins pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mesquita misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Martins with the counter takedown but Mesquita avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Martins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Mesquita counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Martins!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mesquita is trying to ground and pound but Martins uses the momentary lack of control by Mesquita to regain half guard.
Mesquita throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Martins is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Martins is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Mesquita is trying to control the action in half guard but Martins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mesquita thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thomas Martins is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Martins is trying to stand up here but Mesquita is controlling him well.
Martins is staying active underneath Mesquita, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martins is trying to stand up here but Mesquita is controlling him well.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lenon Mesquita has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martins wants to control but Mesquita is keeping busy.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Martins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Martins 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Martins!