PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Mendez (ranked 273 p4p, 719 weight class) and Niall Ferguson (ranked 42 p4p, 94 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Mendez
vs
Ferguson

188 cm
31
275
16 - 7 - 0

188 cm
24
220
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joe Mendez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Niall Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Eddie Farnsworth and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ferguson throws a sloppy head kick
and Mendez counters with a two punch combo.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendez moves away.
Ferguson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ferguson throws a series of punches but Mendez avoids them all with ease.
Ferguson sizes up Mendez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mendez moves out of range of the body kick.
Mendez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Ferguson tries to clinch there but Mendez circles away.
Ferguson scores with a three punch combo!
Ferguson throws a shot from downtown. Mendez moves away and avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson throws out a loose jab but Mendez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mendez misses with a body shot.
Ferguson works Mendez's body with a nice hook.

Mendez drops Ferguson with a right and a left! Mendez comes rushing in but Ferguson regains his composure and manages to keep Mendez in guard.

Ferguson is rocked!

It looks like Niall Ferguson has been cut.
Mendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ferguson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ferguson has momentary wrist control but Mendez slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson wants to stand but Mendez is controlling the position.
Ferguson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendez.
Mendez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ferguson's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mendez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mendez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ferguson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mendez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ferguson looking for a sweep. Not yet Ferguson, not yet.
Ferguson keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.
Ferguson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ferguson pulls Mendez in close to prevent any damage.
Mendez cracks Ferguson with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson trying to control the position.
Mendez postures up in Ferguson's guard and throws a big left but Ferguson blocks it.
Ferguson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mendez wants to improve his position but Ferguson is controlling well.
Mendez is trying to maintain the position but Ferguson is very close to passing his half guard.
Mendez keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Ferguson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ferguson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mendez trying to hold on to Ferguson's head to control him but Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mendez defending well though.
Ferguson prevents Mendez from improving his position.
Mendez is pressing down on Ferguson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ferguson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mendez looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendez, not yet.
Ferguson throwing strikes but missing.
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mendez has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mendez wants to control the position but Ferguson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ferguson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ferguson is stalling in the full guard.
Mendez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joe Mendez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Niall Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mendez has a takedown stuffed.
Ferguson lands a body shot.
Ferguson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mendez checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ferguson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ferguson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mendez checks a leg kick.
Mendez throws a big counter combination but Ferguson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ferguson lands a nice hook to Mendez's body. Mendez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ferguson swivels and escapes.
Ferguson misses with a wild body shot.
Niall Ferguson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mendez blocks a jab.
Ferguson leaves Mendez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson connects with a leg kick.
Niall Ferguson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferguson connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ferguson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ferguson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mendez rather than just go for the knockout.
Ferguson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Ferguson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
An inside leg kick from Ferguson misses.
Mendez is looking for a counter combo.
Ferguson scores with a punch to the head.
Joe Mendez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ferguson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mendez at a distance.
Ferguson scores with a sloppy right hand. Mendez should have avoided that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Mendez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mendez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ferguson lands a body shot.
Ferguson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mendez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ferguson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ferguson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A bone on bone clash there as Mendez blocks the leg kick.
Mendez is looking for a counter combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mendez tried to score with a low kick but Ferguson checks it.
Ferguson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mendez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mendez throws out a loose jab but Ferguson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ferguson misses with a wild body shot.
Ferguson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ferguson takes a swing at Mendez's ribcage but misses.
Ferguson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mendez blocks a jab.
Mendez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ferguson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ferguson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ferguson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ferguson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ferguson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ferguson fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson digs a good hook to Mendez's body.
Ferguson misses with a jab, cross combination.
It looked like Mendez was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The fighters circling - Ferguson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mendez.
Mendez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ferguson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mendez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Some bone on bone action there as Ferguson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Mendez works Ferguson's body with a nice hook.

Mendez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mendez working the head and body with strikes.
Ferguson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Mendez connects with a decent elbow.
Ferguson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Mendez connects with a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Mendez working over Ferguson with some ground and pound. Ferguson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ferguson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mendez is looking to work some ground and pound but Ferguson has wrist control.
Mendez looking to pass the guard.
Mendez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mendez is looking to work some ground and pound but Ferguson has wrist control.
Ferguson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ferguson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mendez wants to get back to full guard.
Mendez is doing well to control the position and prevent Ferguson from advancing to side control.
Ferguson trying to control the action but Mendez is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Niall Ferguson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Niall Ferguson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mendez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ferguson finds it's way round the side to connect with Mendez's head.
Mendez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ferguson scores with a hook to the body. Mendez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ferguson lands with a good body shot.
Mendez misses with a two punch combination.
Ferguson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ferguson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mendez takes a step back to recover.
Ferguson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ferguson misses with a looping right.
Mendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ferguson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mendez.
Ferguson digs a good body shot into Mendez's ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendez takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mendez misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mendez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ferguson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ferguson duly obliges.
Ferguson cracks a nice hook into Mendez's ribs.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ferguson!
Ferguson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ferguson looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendez is just out of range.
Ferguson swings widly with a right hand
and Mendez counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendez throws a head kick but Ferguson moves out of range.
Ferguson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ferguson scores with a body shot.
Mendez throws a head kick that misses.
Ferguson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ferguson lands a nice shot to the body.
Mendez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson feints and then cracks Mendez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendez down.
Ferguson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big right from Ferguson misses.
Mendez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ferguson lands a jab to Mendez's midsection.
Ferguson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ferguson throws a one two combo.
Ferguson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mendez shoots for a takedown but Ferguson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mendez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No luck for Mendez with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Mendez throws a sloppy head kick and Ferguson moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson lands with a nice body punch.
Mendez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A low kick lands for Ferguson.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ferguson.
Ferguson thumps Mendez with a low kick.
Mendez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ferguson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mendez staying out of range there.
Ferguson lands a nice shot to the body.
Ferguson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Mendez counters with a straight right hand.
Mendez misses with an attempted mid kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendez.
Some wild striking there from Ferguson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ferguson.
Mendez is looking for a counter combo.
Ferguson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mendez checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ferguson throws a body shot but no joy.
Ferguson scores with a sloppy right hand. Mendez should have avoided that one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ferguson looks to land a combination but Mendez avoids it well.
Ferguson misses with a low kick.
Mendez throws a big counter combination but Ferguson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ferguson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Mendez avoids the body shot from Ferguson.
Mendez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Mendez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mendez.
Mendez misses with a takedown attempt - Ferguson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson tries a head kick but it misses.
Niall Ferguson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ferguson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendez manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Niall Ferguson really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Niall Ferguson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ferguson misses with a looping right.
Ferguson misses with an uppercut. Mendez saw that one coming.
Ferguson avoids a kick to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mendez is defended easily by Ferguson.
Ferguson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Mendez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ferguson jabs Mendez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ferguson ducks under a wild hook from Mendez.
Ferguson scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ferguson misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson lands a body shot.
Ferguson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mendez throws a nice looking combination but Ferguson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ferguson sprawls well. Ferguson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mendez gets slowly back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Mendez shoots for a takedown but Ferguson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson lands an overhand right.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mendez tries a head kick but it misses.
Ferguson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ferguson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mendez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ferguson circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from Ferguson does no damage.
A good leg kick by Ferguson.
Mendez just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
That kick from Ferguson tenderised Mendez's leg. Mendez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ferguson scores with a nice head shot.
Ferguson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mendez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No joy there for Mendez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mendez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ferguson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A shot to the liver by Ferguson. Beautiful body shot.
Ferguson fails to land with a series of punches.
Mendez misses with a head kick.
Ferguson throws a counter combo.
Ferguson throws a combination. Mendez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Mendez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ferguson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson lands a slapping body shot.
Ferguson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ferguson works over Mendez's head and body with a nice combination.
Mendez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ferguson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ferguson duly obliges.
Ferguson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Mendez checks it well.
Mendez throws a big counter combination but Ferguson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ferguson. Mendez shrugs it off though.
Mendez throws a right hand that Ferguson ducks under and follows up with a left that Ferguson also avoids with ease.
Mendez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mendez misses with a wild combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Mendez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mendez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ferguson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ferguson.
Mendez throws a front kick aimed at Ferguson's knee but Ferguson avoids it well.
Mendez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mendez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ferguson throws a body shot but no joy.
Ferguson throws a head kick that misses.
Mendez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mendez falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ferguson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ferguson.
A shot to the liver by Ferguson. Beautiful body shot.
Ferguson scores with a shot to the body.
Ferguson throws a nice outside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Niall Ferguson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Niall Ferguson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mendez throws a head kick but Ferguson moves out of range.
Mendez moves out of range of the strikes.
Mendez throws a big counter combination but Ferguson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mendez throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Mendez walks into a stiff left hand from Ferguson.
Ferguson with a nice calf kick.
Ferguson looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendez is just out of range.
A combination from Mendez does no damage.
Ferguson punishes Mendez's body with a nice straight punch.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mendez.
Mendez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ferguson!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson jabs Mendez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ferguson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ferguson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mendez. That did some damage!
Mendez fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mendez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A low kick lands for Ferguson.
Ferguson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ferguson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mendez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ferguson.
Mendez throws a big counter combination but Ferguson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mendez avoids a kick to the body.
Ferguson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Mendez changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ferguson thuds a left hand into Mendez's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ferguson. That's going to slow Mendez down.
Mendez shoots for a takedown but Ferguson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ferguson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ferguson misses the jab.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Mendez moves out of range.
Ferguson lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A clash of legs there as Mendez blocks the low kick.
Ferguson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ferguson duly obliges.
Ferguson misses with a body shot.
Mendez slips under a jab.
Mendez is looking for a counter combo.
Mendez on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ferguson. Ferguson obviously looking to wear him down.
Ferguson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mendez is out of range.

Mendez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ferguson to the mat! Ferguson manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez postures up.
Mendez trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
Mendez throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendez won't allow Ferguson to sweep him here.
Mendez wants to control from the top but Ferguson keeps moving.
Ferguson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Joe Mendez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mendez scoring with some ground and pound.
Mendez works over Ferguson with some ground and pound from guard.
Ferguson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ferguson is pressing down on Mendez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mendez is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mendez defending well though.
Mendez trying to hold on to Ferguson's head to control him but Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mendez!
Mendez is looking to get to half guard.
Ferguson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Mendez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Niall Ferguson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mendez blocking the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niall Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ferguson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 46:49
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 46:49
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niall Ferguson!
Niall Ferguson is the new heavyweight champion!