PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Shakes (ranked 662 p4p, 447 weight class) and Luiz Mendoza (ranked 48 p4p, 31 weight class). Shakes comes to the cage accompanied by About the Money- T.I.. Luiz Mendoza has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shakes
vs
Mendoza

175 cm
29
146
18 - 12 - 0

164 cm
32
135
19 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conquer

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 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marcus Shakes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Luiz Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shakes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendoza manages to avoid it.
Shakes jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A jab lands there for Shakes.
Shakes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mendoza sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mendoza blocks a jab.
Shakes misses with a hook
and Mendoza counters with a right hand to the body.
Shakes misses with a hook to the body
and Mendoza counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mendoza avoids the body shot from Shakes.
Marcus Shakes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendoza connects with a body shot.
Mendoza ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shakes keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Mendoza walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shakes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A jab from Shakes misses.
Mendoza throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A low kick from Mendoza is predictable there
and Shakes counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendoza moves away.
Shakes is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Shakes throws a jab but it's blocked by Mendoza.
Marcus Shakes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendoza connects with a jab.
Shakes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shakes throws a lazy right hand but Mendoza sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mendoza ducks under a wild hook from Shakes.
Mendoza's corner calls for a 1-2. Mendoza obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shakes blocks a jab.
Mendoza takes a swing at Shakes's ribcage but misses.

Shakes clinches.
Our sources have told us that Shakes has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Shakes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mendoza's defenses.

Mendoza manages to break the clinch.
Mendoza jabs at Shakes's body.
Mendoza slips a jab from Shakes.
Shakes tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendoza swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendoza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shakes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shakes misses with a looping left.
Mendoza drops his hands momentarily and Shakes takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shakes getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Shakes throws an off balance right hand
and Shakes takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mendoza is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Shakes rather than just go for the knockout.
Mendoza slips a jab from Shakes.
Mendoza lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Mendoza slips under a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mendoza! But no joy.
Shakes moves out of range as Mendoza strikes.
Shakes is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shakes misses with a hook. Mendoza ducked under it nicely.
Mendoza changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendoza uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shakes.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza stands and throws Shakes's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mendoza taking a break here but Shakes is having none of it and regains half guard.
Shakes is staying active underneath Mendoza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mendoza stops Shakes from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendoza throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mendoza looks to land a strike but Shakes avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Shakes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendoza.
Mendoza looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shakes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mendoza slips nicely into half guard.

Mendoza is looking for a kimura here.
Mendoza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mendoza has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mendoza can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Shakes is looking to escape.
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 Marcus Shakes will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mendoza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shakes.
Shakes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mendoza.
A swing and a miss from Shakes.
Shakes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Marcus Shakes is winning the standup battle so far.
An inside leg kick from Mendoza misses.
Luiz Mendoza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mendoza misses with an uppercut. Shakes saw that one coming.
Shakes throws a jab when Mendoza was well out of range.
A big left from Mendoza misses.
Shakes bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Shakes is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Mendoza ducks under a wild hook from Shakes.
Mendoza let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some bone on bone action there as Shakes checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A little feinted left hand from Shakes on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shakes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shakes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mendoza.
Mendoza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza throws a jab when Shakes was well out of range.
Mendoza slips under a jab.
Shakes loads up on a big right hand but Mendoza slips the punch.
Mendoza just misses with a punch to the body.
Shakes is looking to counter the offense by Mendoza and move into the clinch.
Shakes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mendoza circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shakes tries to clinch up but Mendoza circles away and keeps his distance.
Mendoza swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mendoza doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mendoza keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shakes.
Shakes throws a hook to the side of Mendoza's head but Mendoza sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mendoza drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shakes defends it well.
Mendoza connects with a looping right hand.
Mendoza throws an overhand right that lands on Shakes's shoulder, as Shakes tries to avoid the shot.
Mendoza misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shakes swings away with a body shot that misses

so Mendoza counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendoza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendoza throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendoza throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mendoza throws an elbow that misses. Shakes uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mendoza's guard. Nice move by Shakes!

Mendoza trying to control the position.
Mendoza wants to sweep but no luck.
Shakes wanted to stand there but Mendoza had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is looking to sweep but instead, Shakes has passed into half guard.
Shakes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mendoza makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mendoza.
Luiz Mendoza has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mendoza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shakes defends it easily.

Mendoza has his foot on Shakes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shakes works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four 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.

Shakes stands and steps away. Mendoza gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mendoza has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Shakes finds it's way round the side to connect with Mendoza's head.
Shakes tries to clinch but Mendoza moves out of range.
Mendoza changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendoza displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shakes throws out the jab.
Mendoza takes a swing at Shakes's ribcage but misses.
Shakes takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mendoza shoots and misses
and Mendoza takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shakes looks to throw the jab but Mendoza is out of range.
Mendoza connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Mendoza.
Mendoza keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shakes.
Shakes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mendoza connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marcus Shakes will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Shakes moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Shakes lands a really nice looking cross but Mendoza seems unphased.
Shakes misses with a wild body shot.
Mendoza changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nice jab there from Shakes.
Shakes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A bone on bone clash there as Shakes blocks the leg kick.
Shakes misses with a left hand
enabling Mendoza to counter with a crisp jab.
Shakes misses with a straight right.
Mendoza dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shakes throws a hook to the side of Mendoza's head but Mendoza sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mendoza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Shakes closes the distance and pushes Mendoza back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shakes obliges.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shakes.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shakes creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Shakes.
Mendoza tries to pull guard but Shakes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mendoza's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Shakes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shakes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mendoza.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shakes.
Shakes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mendoza avoiding damage as Shakes throws knees to the body.
Shakes lands an elbow just above Mendoza 's eye.
Shakes misses with a body punch.
Shakes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mendoza.
Mendoza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shakes just stands there and leans against the cage.
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!
Mendoza tries to break free but Shakes pushes him back against the cage.
Shakes lands a nice uppercut.
Marcus Shakes has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shakes is leaning against Mendoza and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza fails to pull guard.
Marcus Shakes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Mendoza.
Mendoza is trying to push Shakes away but Shakes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Mendoza pulls guard effortlessly.

Mendoza working for a triangle but Shakes defends it easily.
Mendoza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shakes stopping the sweep attempt from Mendoza.
Marcus Shakes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shakes tries to stand but Mendoza is controlling from the bottom.
Shakes wants to stand and escape but instead Mendoza has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mendoza with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mendoza throws a big right hand that misses.
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.
Mendoza engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mendoza prevents Shakes from getting back to his feet.
Luiz Mendoza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Shakes pushes Mendoza off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza thuds his right hand into Shakes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Shakes connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mendoza momentarily.
Shakes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shakes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shakes wants to clinch up but Mendoza keeps it at a distance.
Mendoza flicks out a counter leg kick but Shakes steps away.
Mendoza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shakes.
Mendoza misses with a looping right.
Shakes misses with a right hand
and Mendoza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shakes listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mendoza takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mendoza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shakes manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Shakes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shakes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Marcus Shakes!
After the fight, Marcus Shakes was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.