PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eduardo Corassa (ranked 380 p4p, 749 weight class) and Luiz Mendoza (ranked 26 p4p, 53 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Corassa
vs
Mendoza

165 cm
38
145
43 - 20 - 2

164 cm
33
139
20 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Sakura Style
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 43 - 20 - 2, fighting out of New York, Eduardo Corassa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Luiz Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendoza throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Corassa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mendoza slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mendoza is looking to score with low kicks.
Mendoza tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Corassa was well out of range. Poor timing from Mendoza.
Mendoza throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mendoza lands a nice shot to the body.
Mendoza lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mendoza scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Corassa 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.
A punch combination from Mendoza misses.

Mendoza decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Corassa is staying active underneath Mendoza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Corassa is holding on to half guard well.

Mendoza seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corassa is staying active underneath Mendoza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Corassa tries to roll over but Mendoza keeps him under control.
Mendoza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mendoza prevents Corassa from improving his position.
Mendoza is looking to take a break and control but Corassa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Corassa tries to roll over but Mendoza keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Corassa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Corassa.
Mendoza trying to control but Corassa is working from the bottom.
Corassa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Corassa keeping moving, preventing Mendoza from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mendoza displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Mendoza has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Corassa is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Mendoza swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Corassa staying out of range there.
Corassa half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza thows a leg kick but Corassa checks it
and Corassa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Corassa stuffs the takedown.
Corassa appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Corassa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mendoza.
Corassa appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Mendoza changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mendoza ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mendoza stalks Corassa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Corassa's face. Corassa staggers backwards, shaken.
Corassa misses with an uppercut.
Luiz Mendoza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendoza thuds a left hand into Corassa's body.

Mendoza drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendoza trying to control the position but Corassa is working away.

Mendoza tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Mendoza working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Mendoza controlling the position.
Mendoza working the ground and pound.
Corassa tries to bench press Mendoza off him but Mendoza keeps the position.

Mendoza is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Corassa knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luiz Mendoza dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Mendoza scores with a shot to the body.
Mendoza goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Corassa quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Mendoza blocks the body kick.
A good leg kick by Mendoza.
Mendoza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Corassa half committed to a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendoza throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Corassa throws a quick counter head kick but Mendoza was just out of range.
Mendoza takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Corassa slips a jab and a cross from Mendoza.
A little feinted left hand from Corassa on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mendoza takes a swing at Corassa's ribcage but misses.
Luiz Mendoza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza lands a right hook to the body.
Mendoza misses with a body shot.
Mendoza throws a leg kick that is checked
and Corassa counters with a left to the body.
Corassa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mendoza throws a right and a left that Corassa avoids nicely.
Corassa looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Mendoza jabs Corassa right on the nose. Corassa blinks but takes it well.
Corassa scores with a body shot.
Mendoza throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mendoza shoots in but Corassa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Corassa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Mendoza throws a right hand that misses
and Corassa counters with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corassa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mendoza.
Mendoza misses with an uppercut. Corassa saw that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendoza swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mendoza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Corassa manages to avoid it.
Corassa is looking to counter punch.
Mendoza throws out a loose jab but Corassa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mendoza misses with an uppercut. Corassa saw that one coming.
Mendoza takes a swing at Corassa's ribcage but misses.
Eduardo Corassa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendoza jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mendoza chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Corassa can pounce on him.
Corassa slips a jab and a cross from Mendoza.
Corassa feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Mendoza lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Mendoza gets a double leg takedown into Corassa's guard.

Corassa uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza throws a body shot but no joy.
Corassa looks to land a right hand but Mendoza moved out of range.
Mendoza ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mendoza just misses with a punch to the body.
Corassa misses with a body kick.
Mendoza gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Corassa counters with a straight right hand.
Mendoza throws a right and a left that Corassa avoids nicely.
Corassa throws a quick counter kick to the body but Mendoza avoids it.
Corassa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Luiz Mendoza seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Mendoza feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Corassa looking for a sweep. Not yet Corassa, not yet.
Luiz Mendoza has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is in close to Corassa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Corassa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Corassa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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!
Corassa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mendoza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendoza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendoza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Corassa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Mendoza drops back looking for a leg! Corassa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Corassa manages to kick Mendoza off! Mendoza jumps back into Corassa's guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luiz Mendoza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mendoza scores with a body shot.
Corassa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mendoza fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Corassa avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendoza falls off balance throwing a combination
and Corassa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mendoza lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mendoza throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mendoza throws a leg kick that is checked
and Corassa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corassa just misses with a punch to the body.
Mendoza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Corassa.
Mendoza is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Corassa rather than just go for the knockout.
Mendoza just misses with a punch to the body.
Corassa half committed to a counter leg kick.
Corassa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mendoza takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Corassa checks a low kick from Mendoza.
Corassa looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Mendoza throws a shot to the body.
A low kick from Mendoza misses
and Corassa makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Mendoza really felt that one!
Corassa is looking to chop away at Mendoza's legs.
Mendoza just misses with a punch to the body.
Corassa half committed to a counter leg kick.
Mendoza finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A quick step to the side and Corassa tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mendoza throws an overhand right that lands on Corassa's shoulder, as Corassa tries to avoid the shot.
Eduardo Corassa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mendoza misses with a body punch
and Corassa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mendoza moves away from the strike by Corassa.
Corassa gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Mendoza counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mendoza throwing shots but Corassa is blocking nicely.
Mendoza sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Corassa defending well though.
Mendoza missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mendoza throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Corassa to regain full guard.
Mendoza trying to control but Corassa is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendoza throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendoza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Corassa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mendoza being controlled here momentarily.
Mendoza tries to free his leg and advance position but Corassa is retaining full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mendoza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Corassa on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mendoza misses with a double jab
and Corassa counters with a nice kick to the body.
Mendoza falls off balance throwing a combination
and Corassa counters with a right hand to the body.
Mendoza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mendoza misses with a few strikes there.
Corassa throws a quick counter head kick but Mendoza was just out of range.
Mendoza lands a jab to Corassa's midsection.
Luiz Mendoza is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Corassa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mendoza misses with a low kick.
Mendoza misses with a low kick.
Corassa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mendoza thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mendoza's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Mendoza duly obliges.
Mendoza throws a body punch but Corassa moves out of range.
Mendoza just misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luiz Mendoza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mendoza 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luiz Mendoza!
In his post fight interview, Luiz Mendoza started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.