PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sone Fujimaro (ranked 1578 p4p, 2133 weight class) and Luiz Mendoza (ranked 174 p4p, 230 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fujimaro
vs
Mendoza

174 cm
27
155
7 - 7 - 0

164 cm
27
135
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA
SynCity Fightwear

Urban Fighter

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sone Fujimaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Luiz Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fujimaro lands a slapping body shot.
Fujimaro takes one to the chin there.
The fighters circling - Mendoza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fujimaro throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fujimaro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mendoza.
Mendoza lands with a shot to the body.
Fujimaro throws a low kick but Mendoza avoids it.
Fujimaro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mendoza.
Fujimaro throws a lazy uppercut
and Mendoza counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mendoza takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mendoza punishes Fujimaro's body with a nice straight punch.
Fujimaro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendoza moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mendoza! But no joy.
Fujimaro throws a leg kick but Mendoza moved away.
Mendoza doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Mendoza scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fujimaro with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Fujimaro thows a leg kick but Mendoza checks it

so Mendoza counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Mendoza working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujimaro wants to stand but Mendoza is controlling the position.
Fujimaro keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.
Fujimaro wants to stand and escape but Mendoza is having none of it.

Mendoza drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Fujimaro manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mendoza has Fujimaro in his guard.

Mendoza looking for a guillotine here but Fujimaro defends easily.

Mendoza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fujimaro defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mendoza isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Fujimaro stacks Mendoza on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Fujimaro!

Fujimaro decides to stand up, so the ref orders Mendoza to his feet.
Fujimaro gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mendoza.
Mendoza lands with a good body shot.
Mendoza takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Mendoza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fujimaro.
Fujimaro scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mendoza takes a swing at Fujimaro's ribcage but misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Fujimaro misses its target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Fujimaro throws a poor cross that misses
and Mendoza counters with a left to the body.
Mendoza throws an off balance right hand
letting Fujimaro counter with a right hand.
Mendoza blocks a head kick by Fujimaro.
Fujimaro lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mendoza looks to land a combination but Fujimaro avoids it well.
Fujimaro was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Mendoza has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mendoza there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mendoza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fujimaro.
Fujimaro thows a leg kick but Mendoza checks it

so Mendoza counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Fujimaro uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sone Fujimaro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sone Fujimaro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fujimaro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mendoza sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fujimaro connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mendoza momentarily.
Mendoza moves away from the strike by Fujimaro.
Mendoza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fujimaro throws out the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mendoza! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza blocks the body kick.
We've been told by Fujimaro's head coaches at Desert Fitness & Training (14 Elite Coaches) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Fujimaro throws a wild body kick that Mendoza sees coming a mile off.
Mendoza swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mendoza gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fujimaro.
Fujimaro throws a right and a left that Mendoza avoids nicely.
Fujimaro throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fujimaro throws a right hand that misses
letting Mendoza counter with a right hand.
Mendoza throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fujimaro stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Fujimaro on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Fujimaro throws a leg kick

and Mendoza counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mendoza is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Fujimaro to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Mendoza tries to free his leg and advance position but Fujimaro is retaining full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fujimaro thows a leg kick but Mendoza checks it

and Mendoza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mendoza tries to free his leg and advance position but Fujimaro is retaining full guard.
Mendoza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fujimaro pulls Mendoza in close to prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendoza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendoza wants to control from the top but Fujimaro keeps moving.
Mendoza works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendoza is trying to control the action in half guard but Fujimaro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fujimaro is trying to stand up here but Mendoza is controlling him well.
Mendoza tries to pass to full mount but Fujimaro defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza is looking to take a break and control but Fujimaro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendoza not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mendoza is trying to control. Fujimaro wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mendoza might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Fujimaro haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Mendoza throws a strike but Fujimaro avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Mendoza wants to control from the top but Fujimaro keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fujimaro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mendoza takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mendoza throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fujimaro sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mendoza throws a body punch but Fujimaro moves out of range.
Fujimaro misses with a lunging right hand
and Mendoza counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fujimaro steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mendoza.
Fujimaro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mendoza now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Mendoza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fujimaro manages to avoid it.
Fujimaro thumps Mendoza with a low kick.
Fujimaro connects with a single shot there.
Mendoza misses with a body shot.
A low kick from Fujimaro misses
and Mendoza counters with a nice uppercut.
Fujimaro tests Mendoza's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fujimaro moves forwards but Mendoza connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fujimaro looks to land a right hand but Mendoza moved out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Mendoza misses.
Mendoza lands a really nice looking cross but Fujimaro seems unphased.
Mendoza scores with a jab to the body.
Mendoza takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fujimaro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Fujimaro misses with a two punch combination.
Mendoza scores with a hook to the body. Fujimaro takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fujimaro takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A lazy left from Fujimaro finds it's target.
Fujimaro moves forwards but Mendoza connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mendoza jabs Fujimaro to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Fujimaro misses
and Mendoza counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mendoza lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fujimaro throws the left hand but Mendoza avoids the punch easily.
Fujimaro takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fujimaro throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Mendoza counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Fujimaro manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Mendoza keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Fujimaro misses with a body punch.
Mendoza jumps guard but Fujimaro turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mendoza wants to stall.
Mendoza trying to control the position but instead, Fujimaro has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mendoza into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Luiz Mendoza will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mendoza connects with a body shot that sends Fujimaro's belly button to the back.
Nice defenses there by Mendoza.
Mendoza takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nice defenses there by Mendoza.
Mendoza jabs Fujimaro right on the nose. Fujimaro blinks but takes it well.
Fujimaro throws a lazy head kick
enabling Mendoza to counter with a crisp jab.
A lazy left from Mendoza finds it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fujimaro looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Fujimaro swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Mendoza counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fujimaro tries to kick Mendoza off in order to stand up. Mendoza Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mendoza lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An elbow from Mendoza crashes against the mat.
The referee asks Mendoza politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Mendoza prefers to stall for the moment though.
Fujimaro regains half guard there - taking advantage of Mendoza's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Mendoza throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mendoza is keen to just control but Fujimaro is a slippery customer.
Mendoza wants to pass to mount but Fujimaro is defending the position.
Fujimaro is not content to let Mendoza control the position.

That's two 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.
Fujimaro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mendoza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fujimaro keeps working.
Mendoza not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mendoza is trying to control the action in half guard but Fujimaro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mendoza stalling away here and it's allowed Fujimaro to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Mendoza is in close to Fujimaro's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mendoza throws an elbow that misses. Fujimaro uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mendoza's guard. Nice move by Fujimaro!

Mendoza pulls Fujimaro in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mendoza is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Fujimaro stands up and waves to Mendoza to follow him.
Fujimaro has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fujimaro there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mendoza rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fujimaro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fujimaro misses with a looping left.
Mendoza ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mendoza's head backwards.
Fujimaro takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza throws an overhand right that lands on Fujimaro's shoulder, as Fujimaro tries to avoid the shot.
Fujimaro lands a glancing blow to the side of Mendoza's head.
Fujimaro throws a leg kick
and Mendoza connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fujimaro.
Mendoza scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fujimaro doesn't seem bothered though.
Mendoza's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fujimaro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendoza moves away.
Mendoza with the counter takedown but Fujimaro avoids it easily.
Fujimaro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendoza manages to avoid it.
Fujimaro misses the body punch

and Mendoza counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Fujimaro!

Mendoza goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Fujimaro rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mendoza's guard! Nice work there by Fujimaro!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mendoza is on top in guard.

Mendoza tries to free his leg and advance position but Fujimaro is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luiz Mendoza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mendoza has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight for Sone Fujimaro!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Luiz Mendoza!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Luiz Mendoza!

Luiz Mendoza wins by split decision!
Luiz Mendoza was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.