PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Mendez (ranked 845 p4p, 1618 weight class) and Egor Kuznecov (ranked 105 p4p, 195 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mendez
vs
Kuznecov

188 cm
30
275
12 - 7 - 0

193 cm
21
283
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joe Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Egor Kuznecov!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez throws a hook but Kuznecov blocks it.
Kuznecov lands a glancing blow to the side of Mendez's head.

Kuznecov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mendez did well to prevent Kuznecov getting side control.
Mendez trying to control but Kuznecov postures up.
Mendez is looking for a sweep. Kuznecov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kuznecov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendez wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez trying to control but Kuznecov postures up.
Kuznecov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mendez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mendez tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznecov drops an elbow to the side of Mendez's head.
Mendez won't allow Kuznecov to pass to mount.
Mendez keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Mendez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kuznecov.
Kuznecov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mendez wants to improve his position but Kuznecov is controlling well.
Mendez is looking to control Kuznecov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mendez avoid being mounted?
Kuznecov content to control rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuznecov lands with a right hand.
Mendez uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mendez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mendez attempts a counter takedown but Kuznecov avoids it well and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kuznecov is defended easily by Mendez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov misses with a takedown
and Mendez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuznecov tries to move into range but Mendez moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Mendez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kuznecov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendez is in Kuznecov's guard.
Kuznecov keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.
Kuznecov wants to sweep here but Mendez controlling him for the moment.
Kuznecov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mendez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mendez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuznecov is pulling down on Mendez's head. It's preventing any offense from Mendez, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov has momentary wrist control but Mendez slips an elbow through the middle.
Mendez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kuznecov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mendez won't allow Kuznecov to sweep him here.
Mendez with a nice head shot there.
Mendez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kuznecov is adopting a defensive guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuznecov keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Mendez dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Mendez throws a series of punches but Kuznecov moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Mendez. No joy for Kuznecov on that attempt.
Kuznecov connects with the punch.
Kuznecov throws a lazy uppercut
and Mendez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Kuznecov misses.
A combination from Mendez does no damage.
Mendez seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznecov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kuznecov is defended easily by Mendez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez scores with a shot to the body.
Kuznecov misses with a takedown attempt
and Mendez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Joe Mendez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Egor Kuznecov.
Kuznecov looks to land a left hand but Mendez moved out of range nicely.
Kuznecov shoots and misses

and Mendez counters with a crisp right hand that drops Kuznecov! Mendez lets Kuznecov back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Kuznecov is rocked!
Kuznecov is breathing heavily.
Kuznecov drops his hands momentarily. Mendez doesn't need a second invitation, landing a shot to the temple. Kuznecov staggers and falls to the mat and the ref dives in to save him from any more punishment. Kuznecov doesn't seem happy with the stoppage but he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Joe Mendez!