PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Alexander (ranked 406 p4p, 211 weight class) and Arthur Menezes (ranked 57 p4p, 27 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Marcus Alexander has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Marcus Alexander seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Alexander
vs
Menezes

185 cm
30
186
15 - 7 - 1

180 cm
42
190
39 - 22 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Vegan Gains
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Marcus Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arthur Menezes!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Atkins and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexander stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alexander wants it to stay on the feet.
Alexander seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Menezes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Alexander.
Menezes uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Alexander looks to land a left hand but Menezes moved out of range nicely.
Menezes cracks a nice hook into Alexander's ribs.

Alexander gets caught napping as Menezes dives in and scores a takedown. Alexander manages to retain guard.
Menezes trying to control the position from guard on top but Alexander is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Menezes is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Alexander managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexander keeping moving, preventing Menezes from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alexander swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alexander has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Menezes pushing down on Alexander's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Menezes is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Alexander defends it well.
Menezes tries to pass the half guard into mount. Alexander knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Menezes throwing shots but Alexander is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Menezes is looking for a kimura but Alexander is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Menezes to get the leverage.
Alexander is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Menezes is looking for a kimura but Alexander is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Menezes to get the leverage.
Menezes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Alexander preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Alexander tries to get to full guard but Menezes has control of the leg.

Menezes is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Alexander sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes is looking to pass Alexander's guard but actually Alexander recovers to full guard.
Alexander is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Menezes jabs Alexander to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Alexander looks to land a right hand but Menezes moved out of range.
Menezes scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Menezes catches Alexander with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Menezes throws a hook but Alexander blocks it.
Menezes misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Alexander counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes connects with the punch.
Menezes swings for the body but Alexander moves out of range.
Menezes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Menezes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Menezes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alexander.
Menezes has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Menezes misses with a shot to the body
and Alexander counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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!
Menezes misses with a looping right.
Alexander fails to land with a series of punches.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Menezes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alexander doesn't seem bothered though.
Alexander slips a jab from Menezes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Menezes darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Menezes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Menezes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alexander doesn't seem bothered though.
No joy there for Alexander, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Arthur Menezes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Alexander. That snapped Menezes's head back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Menezes dominated that round.
That's time! Alexander's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Alexander misses with a looping left.
Alexander is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Alexander takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Menezes tries to clinch up but Alexander circles away and keeps his distance.
Alexander is looking to counter punch.
Menezes misses with a jab to the body
and Alexander counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Menezes takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A shot to the body from Menezes misses
and Alexander makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Alexander takes one on the button.
Alexander throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Menezes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Alexander looks to land a left hand but Menezes moved out of range nicely.
Menezes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Alexander.
Menezes tests Alexander's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alexander on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Alexander misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Alexander avoids the body shot from Menezes.
Menezes scores with a sloppy right hand. Alexander should have avoided that one.
Alexander takes one to the chin there.
Arthur Menezes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Menezes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Alexander throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Alexander pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Alexander on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Menezes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Alexander throws out the jab.
Menezes throws a body punch but Alexander moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Menezes.
Alexander throws a body shot but no joy.
Menezes with the counter takedown but Alexander avoids it easily.
Alexander takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Alexander is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Decent striking displayed by Menezes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menezes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Alexander defending well as Menezes loads up on a big left hand.
An attempted straight right counter from Alexander misses the target.
Menezes scores with a hook.
Alexander throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alexander takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Menezes jabs Alexander to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Menezes scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Alexander dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Menezes. That did some damage!
Menezes connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Alexander's hands.
Alexander fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Menezes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Menezes misses with a hook.
Menezes bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Alexander's head.
Menezes looks to score with a jab to the body but Alexander is just out of range.
Marcus Alexander is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Menezes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Alexander avoids it really well and circles away.
Marcus Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Menezes.
Menezes shoots in looking for a takedown but Alexander manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Menezes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alexander scores with a decent looking hook.
Menezes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slow jab from Alexander misses its intended target.
Alexander scores with a jab to the jaw.
Menezes misses with a body shot
letting Alexander counter with a right hand.
Menezes doesn't manage to clinch there - Alexander circles away.
Alexander misses with a hook.
Menezes looks to score with a jab to the body but Alexander is just out of range.
Alexander takes one on the button.
Menezes shoots in and drives through. Alexander sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Menezes throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Alexander tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Menezes is in Alexander's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menezes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Menezes content to stall in guard here.
Menezes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alexander is keeping the position for now.
Alexander not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Menezes is stalling in the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Menezes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Menezes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Marcus Alexander has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Alexander.
Menezes darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Alexander doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Alexander uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Menezes.
Alexander swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Menezes connects with a looping right hand.
Nice takedown defense from Alexander. No joy for Menezes on that attempt.
Alexander moves away from the strike by Menezes.
No luck for Menezes with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Alexander finds it's way through Menezes's defenses.
Alexander takes one on the button.
Menezes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alexander.
Nice sprawl there from Alexander as Menezes shoots in.
And Alexander counters with a quick kick to the body but Menezes blocks it.
Marcus Alexander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Menezes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Alexander 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Alexander tries to bum rush Menezes with a series of wild strikes but Menezes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Menezes with the counter takedown but Alexander avoids it easily.
Alexander misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Menezes.
Menezes scores with a jab to the body.
Alexander takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Menezes scores with a jab to the jaw.
Alexander misses with a looping right.
Menezes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A little feinted left hand from Alexander on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Menezes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Alexander.
A slow jab from Menezes misses its intended target.
Menezes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Alexander can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander throws a shot from downtown. Menezes moves away and avoids it.
Alexander doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menezes cracks Alexander with a right hand to the side of the head.
Menezes works the jab nicely.
Alexander misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Menezes.
Alexander waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Menezes.
Menezes connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Alexander's hands.
Menezes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Menezes wants to clinch up but Alexander keeps it at a distance.
Menezes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Alexander throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice shot by Alexander.
Menezes scores with a crisp jab that stopped Alexander in his tracks.
Alexander on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A jab from Menezes does it's job there.
Menezes connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Menezes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alexander doesn't seem bothered though.
Menezes swings for the body but Alexander moves out of range.
Nice shot by Menezes.
Alexander slips under a jab from Menezes.
Menezes darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Alexander defending well as Menezes loads up on a big left hand.
Alexander half committed to a counter leg kick.
Good shot there by Menezes.
Menezes cracks Alexander with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Menezes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Alexander swivels and escapes.
Alexander lands a really nice looking cross but Menezes seems unphased.
A slow jab from Alexander misses its intended target.
Menezes takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alexander misses with an uppercut. Menezes saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander misses with a low kick.
Alexander gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Menezes.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Menezes, as that shot connected.
Menezes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Alexander swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Arthur Menezes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Menezes moves out of range of the strikes.
Alexander tries to bum rush Menezes with a series of wild strikes but Menezes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Alexander defending well as Menezes loads up on a big left hand.
Menezes on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Menezes lands a glancing blow to the side of Alexander's head.
Alexander uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Menezes throws a body shot but no joy.
Alexander gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Menezes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Alexander is looking to counter punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arthur Menezes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Menezes has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arthur Menezes!