PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Hackett (ranked 1179 p4p, 1285 weight class) and Luiz Mendoza (ranked 79 p4p, 89 weight class). Hackett kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Foe Tha Love of Money. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hackett
vs
Mendoza

175 cm
37
146
26 - 15 - 1

164 cm
32
135
17 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Savage Fightwear

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 15 - 1, fighting out of London, James Hackett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Luiz Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendoza tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hackett is able to avoid easily.
Hackett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hackett fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mendoza.
A clash of legs there as Hackett blocks the low kick.
Mendoza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hackett throws out the jab.
Mendoza let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Mendoza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hackett.
Hackett looks to throw the jab but Mendoza is out of range.
Mendoza throws a body shot but no joy.
Mendoza looks to score with a jab to the body but Hackett is just out of range.
Hackett throws a body punch but Mendoza moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hackett throws a sloppy head kick
letting Mendoza counter with a right hand.
Hackett looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mendoza wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hackett takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hackett misses with a wild combination.
Mendoza follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hackett doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hackett cracks Mendoza with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mendoza moves out of range as Hackett strikes.
Mendoza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hackett.
Mendoza with the counter takedown but Hackett avoids it easily.

Mendoza throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hackett was covering up waiting for the punch and Mendoza finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mendoza scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hackett keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.

Hackett had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mendoza defends it easily.
Mendoza looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hackett keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.
Hackett wants to sweep here but Mendoza controlling him for the moment.
Mendoza postures up.
Mendoza is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hackett wants to improve his position but instead Mendoza has moved into half guard.
Hackett is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hackett is not content to let Mendoza control the position.
Mendoza prevents Hackett from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hackett slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Hackett is looking for a triangle but Mendoza pushes his legs off easily.
Hackett is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mendoza chips away with some ground and pound.
Mendoza controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hackett is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hackett has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Hackett is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mendoza defends it well.
Mendoza is pressing down on Hackett's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Hackett drops back looking for a leg! Mendoza is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendoza manages to kick Hackett off! Hackett jumps back into Mendoza's guard.
Hackett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mendoza swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mendoza keeping moving, preventing Hackett from controlling successfully.
Hackett will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luiz Mendoza will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hackett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mendoza with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mendoza looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mendoza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hackett.
Hackett misses with a straight left.
Hackett tries a head kick but it misses.
Mendoza throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hackett counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Mendoza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mendoza misses with a leg kick
letting Hackett counter with a right hand.

Hackett closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hackett lands in his opponent's guard.
Mendoza working a defensive guard here.
Mendoza keeping full guard, as Hackett tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza can't keep his opponent in guard - Hackett advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mendoza moves into full guard.

Hackett lying in Mendoza's guard like a wet fish here, stalling away. Mendoza decides he's had enough of all that nonsense - he escapes his hips and locks up an armbar! Wow, that was slick! Hackett taps! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Luiz Mendoza!
A very excited looking Luiz Mendoza rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.